This internship is with the Coastal Conservation Program of Audubon Texas. Since 1923, Audubon has managed and protected the nesting islands of colonial waterbirds along the Texas coast. In 2014, Audubon created the Texas Estuarine Resource Network (TERN) to engage local citizens in this conservation work. Community members are trained to conduct bird surveys, education, and outreach. The Coastal Program Assistant will assist the TERN Coordinator with outreach and education to promote coastal conservation work, recruit new community scientists, engage in conservation work, and assist with the development of new community partnerships. The Coastal Program Assistant will also assist with the online database, social media, and other communication tools. The Coastal Program Assistant will work directly with and report the TERN Coordinator.
- Corresponding with partners and volunteers in a timely manner;
- Coordinating and implementing training programs, educational workshops, outreach presentations, trash cleanups, bird surveys, volunteer trainings, and restoration workdays associated with rookery islands;
- Collecting, organizing, and staging gear for workdays, events, and outreach booths;
- Coordinating with lead volunteers to track survey sites, volunteer hours, bird population data, and events in the upper or mid Texas Coast, including data entry into the online database;
- Working with various coastal partners and inquiring about surveys, volunteers, and events;
- Keeping track of current grant metrics, monthly reporting forms, and program updates, including scientific trend reports.
- At least one year or collective equivalent of professional experience in environmental science, environmental outreach, or environmental education;
- Comfortable speaking in public, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written;
- Demonstrated success in working in a team-oriented environment as well as ability to work independently, once trained;
- Strong organizational skills, detail oriented, and self-motivated with an ability to multitask;
- Ability to problem solve to obtain results and outcomes efficiently;
- Leadership skills, ability to delegate, and follow directions well;
- Familiar with research, scientific methodology, data collection, organizing data, and reporting;
- Experienced with tracking budgets, purchasing records and receipts, and item inventories;
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office software including Word, Excel, and Outlook;
- Some travel may be required.
Ideal candidates:
- Experience in writing reports, scientific articles, or similar publications;
- Passionate about conservation, preserving the environment, and local wildlife (birds);
- Nonprofit experience a plus;
- Teaching experience a plus.