Junior Conservation Technician

Job Description:

Position Summary:

The Junior Conservation Technician Program (JCT) is a paid service-learning opportunity for high school students to explore careers in conservation through hands-on learning and projects at the Green Mountain Audubon Center in Huntington, VT. JCTs will learn from and work outdoors alongside Vermont conservation heroes. This program is best for teens who are looking to gain a deeper understanding of environmental conservation through field work, trail improvements, habitat restoration, priority species monitoring, and more. The JCT cohort is made up of twelve students and led by our Youth Conservation Leadership Coordinator and Youth Leadership Intern. We meet for 150 hours over a 6-month period (January-June) during school breaks, the beginning of summer break, and occasional weekends as well as virtually in between our on-site days. JCT’s will work outdoors in all seasons on a variety of projects including but not limited to: trail improvements, basic carpentry projects, priority bird species monitoring, habitat restoration, forestry assessment, collecting data for community science initiatives, environmental education with vacation camps, and more!

We are looking for teens with interests in:

• Wildlife and habitat conservation

• Outdoor/environmental education

• Science communications and art

• Building naturalist skills (wildlife and plant identification, wildlife tracking, wild edibles, etc.)

• Building teamwork and leadership skills

• Spending time outdoors

Learn more here: https://vt.audubon.org/conservation/JCT.

This position is designed to provide a range of programmatic experiences with a focus on environmental education, conservation action, and inspiring the next generation of conservation professionals. 

This role is on-site, based out of the Green Mountain Audubon Center in Huntington, VT.

Junior Conservation Technician Schedule:

JCTs will work a total of 150 hours between January-June, which amounts to about 25-30 hours/month. JCTs are expected to commit to the full program schedule. There will be 4 hours of virtual learning between in-person workdays – virtual learning can be flexible depending on the JCT schedule as they will be recorded. See schedule below.

• Orientation: January 25 & 26, 9am-3pm

  • Virtual learning: Winter Bird ID and Bird-Friendly Maple

• February break: February 24-27, 9am-4:30pm

• Sugar on Snow prep: March 8, 9am-3:30pm

• Sugar on Snow Parties: TBD (weekend in late March)

  • Virtual learning: Plants for Birds, Invasive Species, and Guest Speakers

• April break: April 21-24, 9am-4:30pm

  • Virtual learning: Spring Bird ID Review

• Birdathon: May 17, 7am-12pm (Full morning of birding and finding as many species as possible)

  • Virtual learning: Conservation Action at Home and Guest Speakers

• June dates: June 16-20, 23-27 from 8am-3:30pm

  • NOTE: JCTs in person Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of the last two weeks in June. Monday and Friday are typically virtual learning days or independent project days.

  • Friday, June 27 is our last day and in person.

Projected Start/End Date:

Saturday, January 25, 2025 and projected end date is Friday June 27, 2025.

Compensation:

$15.00 / hour

Additional Job Description

Essential Functions:

Intern Responsibilities and Learning Objectives

• Show up each day ready to be an active participant in the program.

• Follow expectations and rules outlined by the Junior Conservation Technician Handbook.

• Track time and enter timesheets through Workday in a timely manner.

• Unplug from your phone during the program unless using it for identification, community science, or photos.

• Collect data that will help biologists understand how wildlife and plants are responding to climate change.

• Improve bird habitat at the Green Mountain Audubon Center through invasive species removal, native plantings, assessments, and species monitoring.

• Work with staff to design education materials, such as species guides for the Green Mountain Audubon Center.

• Articulate the missions of the National Audubon Society and Audubon Vermont to the community.

• Share knowledge of