Coastal Education and Animal Husbandry Intern

Coastal Education Intern

Location: Newburyport, MA

Sanctuary: Joppa Flats

The Coastal Education Intern (CEI) will work with the Education Coordinator to primarily assist field teachers with schools participating in a field trip on Plum Island or a program in the classroom. Themes include coastal ecology, bird banding, and salt marshes. Additionally, the CEI will help with program preparation, curriculum development, and creating organizational systems for equipment and program materials.

Responsibilities

• Train to assist staff with public programs about local ecology to school groups, families, teens, and homeschoolers,
• Assist to create organizational systems for materials, field gear and supplies, 
• Create interpretative signage about the benefits of smart environmental practices like partial mowing, composting, and creating brush piles,
• Design simple displays to educate the public about climate change, microplastics, coastal erosion, and sea level rise.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age,
• Experience interacting with people of all ages, interests, and backgrounds,
• Possess strong public speaking skills, 
• Experience developing lesson plans and/or activities for children,
• Demonstrate creativity, reliability, flexibility, and enthusiasm, and strong oral and written communication skills,
• Experience with outdoor activities such as birding and tide pooling,
• Valid driver’s license preferred,
• Must pass a background records check (CORI, SORI and driver's).

Compensation and Benefits
This is an unpaid internship.

Additional Comments
This internship is for the Fall Term:  September - December 2022
Commitment: 12 weeks for approximately 10-12 hours per week
Schedule: Flexible Tuesday through Friday. Some Saturdays may be required.

Animal Husbandry Intern

Location: Newburyport, MA

Sanctuary: Joppa Flats

An Animal Husbandry Intern (AHI) will train to manage the care, feeding, and maintenance of both our 110-gallon intertidal zone tank, 55-gallon subtidal zone tank, 40-gallon salt marsh tank, and 30-gallon nursery tank. The various species of marine life that are in-house include marine invertebrates, brackish water invertebrates, and live fish. The AHI will train to perform biweekly feedings, conduct weekly cleaning and water chemistry tests, and monthly water changes. Also, the AHI will monitor our onsite bird feeders and bird baths. Lastly, the AHI will participate in frequent trips to collect marine organisms as needed and release invertebrates at the end of the season.

Responsibilities

• Maintain our aquarium tanks; care for and feed their inhabitants (invertebrates and fish),
• Monitor and clean our bird feeders onsite weekly,
• Perform necessary weekly and monthly tank maintenance including water chemistry (NH4, NO2, NO3, pH) and partial water changes,
• Track tank inventory monthly,
• Record weekly statistics in the animal care journal and take regular measurements, photos and videos for the animal collection,
• Assist Joppa Flats staff with field gear equipment maintenance as needed. 

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age or 16 years with 2 years of experience at Mass Audubon,
• Massachusetts driving license preferred,
• Experience with tank maintenance, animal care, and feeding (salt water preferred),
• Local knowledge of New England coastal ecology and rocky shore species a plus but not required,
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills,
• Can work independently or as part of a team,
• Must pass a background records check (CORI, SORI and driver's). 

Compensation and Benefits
This is an unpaid internship.

Additional Comments
This internship is for the Fall Term:  September - December 2022
Commitment: 12 weeks for 4-6 hours per week
Schedule: Flexible and some weekend work may apply. 

How to apply:

How to Apply
Please email your cover letter and resume to:
Lisa Hutchings, Education Coordinator
lhutchings@massaudubon.org
No phone calls, please.

Mass Audubon embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are dedicated to forming a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Equal Employment Opportunity