The National Audubon Society is embarking on an exciting and innovative organizational initiative that provides on-the-job training and learning opportunities to individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in the environmental and conservation sector. The Fund II Foundation Apprenticeship Program at Audubon is geared for those who are early on in their professional career or currently enrolled in an advanced education in law/graduate school program. Selected individuals will be given the opportunity to serve in professional positions for 12 months that advance Audubon’s mission and contribute to critical work occurring within organizational functions such as science, fund-raising/development, marketing, outreach, communications, and finance.
Fund II Foundation Apprentice will be guided by a dedicated program manager who will work closely with the host department or team to ensure the success of the individual and provide training, collaborative learning opportunities and other career readiness services to lead to the eventual placement of a longer-term job placement in the field.
Reporting to Audubon’s Discovery Center Education Manager, the Fund II Foundation Apprentice - Volunteer/Community Engagement will be an active contributor to the Audubon Pennsylvania team, with special focus on the Discovery Center and Philadelphia-based programs. The Fund II Foundation Apprentice - Volunteer/Community Engagement will work with other Audubon Pennsylvania Discovery Center staff to adapt existing methodologies deployed in other locations for executing on short- and longer-team projects related to the Discovery Center and Philadelphia. The anticipated start date for this role is 12/3.
- Volunteer Program Creation and Implementation: Develop and implement a sustainable, diverse volunteer corps to assist in the delivery of the Audubon’s Discovery Center programs, events and services. This includes creating the infrastructure for a diverse volunteer corps, and subsequently recruiting and coordinating volunteers, as individuals, families, and/or teams.
- Community Engagement: Develop sustainable outreach programs that promote the involvement of individuals, families and communities in Audubon’s conservation work, with particular focus on nearby communities of color, in support of Audubon’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion goals. Working with Discovery Center colleagues, identify and implement programs at the Center and in the community that are relevant to the needs and interests of nearby residents, and leverage those programs into greater participation in Audubon’s direct conservation and/or advocacy activities.
- Sound communication and interpersonal skills, as well as excellent interpersonal skills.
- A self-starter, one who takes an appropriate amount of initiative and is interested in continuous learning to develop their skills and career aspirations.
- Tech-savvy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications. Experience with social media, large databases, on-line tools or similar technologies a plus.
- Excellent organizational skill and the ability to multi-task essential.
- Willingness and ability to travel regionally and nationally as the job requires.
- Genuine interest in conservation, the mission of the National Audubon Society, and social and environmental justice.