Within Audubon Nebraska, Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center (SCP) focuses on grassland bird conservation by restoring and maintaining the tallgrass prairie ecosystem, and the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary (Rowe) focuses on conservation of the Platte River ecosystem and the birds that rely on it. Sustainable conservation is dependent on an environmentally literate and engaged community at each Center, so the Audubon Nebraska education team is expanding local education and engagement opportunities in the communities surrounding each Center with emphasis on the cities of Lincoln, Denton, Crete, Kearney, and Gibbon. Education programming spans from elementary to adult age groups and strives to engage new and underserved audiences. Audubon Nebraska seeks to hire a three-month internship position that will work primarily at SCP, but will also spend time working at Rowe. The intern will assist in education and outreach programming as well as volunteer coordination and community science projects. By the end of the three months of service, the intern will have introduced many new people to prairie and riverine ecosystems, local trails, and education centers; and provided steps they can take to improve habitat. This individual will also receive training in ecosystem restoration techniques such as invasive species removal, prescribed burns, and grazing and will complete an independent project designed to advance their personal goals. Audubon Nebraska is dedicated to building a culturally diverse organization and strongly encourages applications from people of color and women.
The intern will participate in and lead education and outreach programming as well as volunteer coordination and community science projects at both Audubon Centers.
- Help implement education & outreach plans.
- Work closely with education & outreach leads, state and Center staff, and volunteers.
- Assist with creating and facilitating public programs, as well as off-site outreach programming, focused around Audubon’s strategic priorities and initiatives: Bird-friendly Communities; Water; Climate; Working Lands; Plants for Birds; Community Science; and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
- Assist with creating and facilitating school field trip education programs.
- Assist with leading summer camp programming and activities for overnight and day camps.
- Assist with updating and enhancing education curriculum guides, focusing on summer programs and pre-K programs.
- Work with all staff and volunteers to participate in community science projects like monarch monitoring, Climate Watch, bird surveys, etc.
- Assist with visitor center operations ranging from welcoming visitors and general maintenance to creation of program signage and outreach materials.
- Assist with creating and facilitating public outreach activities about the Prairie Corridor on Haines Branch project and the Kearney Outdoor Learning Area project.
- Assist with volunteer coordination including volunteer data management, volunteer recruitment, and retention and training events.
- Receive on-the-job and/or formal training opportunities in environmental education; curriculum development; outdoor safety; equity, diversity, & inclusion practices; wildlife management, etc.
- Project leadership opportunities available for individuals with advanced experience in using social media platforms; software design; and iNaturalist, eBird, and other community sciences applications.
- Opportunity to develop and complete an independent project or public program focused on Audubon priorities.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills; superior interpersonal skills with a demonstrated commitment to cultural diversity also necessary.
- Must be people oriented, have a team-focused attitude, and the ability to professionally represent Audubon Nebraska and the network to the public.
- A positive attitude and good sense of humor, as well as comfort working independently as a leader and part of a team, when needed.
- Must be self-motivated and willing to work in a flexible, non-structured environment.
- Evening and weekend hours required.
- Must have access to reliable vehicle and current valid driver’s license with ability to provide for own transportation to Rowe Sanctuary near Gibbon, Nebraska, when necessary. Ability to work for extended multiple days at Rowe Sanctuary. Some weekend work required. Travel between centers will be compensated.
- 1-2 years training or education in science-related field, environmental education, natural sciences, or related field.
- Ability to follow instructions from colleagues with a willingness to work alone or with volunteers, with little supervision, and at irregular hours.
- Ability to perform physical work, sometimes under adverse conditions or in inclement weather.
- Fluency in Spanish not required, but strongly recommended.
- Enthusiasm for living and working in a rural environment strongly recommended.