Youth Environmental Steward

About Mass Audubon 
Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries. Explore, find inspiration, and take action at massaudubon.org. 

About This Position
Under the supervision of the Nantucket Sanctuaries staff, Youth Environmental Stewards work to protect the nature of Nantucket for people and wildlife by helping to maintain and steward Mass Audubon’s three island properties. Youth Environmental Stewards will also work with our Coastal Waterbird Program staff to monitor birds on private and public beaches.

Mass Audubon’s Sesachacha Heathlands Wildlife Sanctuary is on the eastern side of Nantucket and encompasses globally rare coastal heathland and sandplain grassland habitats. Sesachacha Pond, the largest body of brackish water on the Island is located within the Sanctuary, and is a magnet for 300 recorded bird species, including northern harriers and eastern towhees. Nantucket's largest pitch pine forest is found at Mass Audubon’s Lost Farm Wildlife Sanctuary.

Youth Environmental Stewards will learn about these habitats, wildlife, and properties and support efforts to steward and manage nearly 1,000 acres of open space on Nantucket.

Application Instructions
Please submit a resume and a 1-page letter introducing yourself, explaining why you are a good fit for the position and what you hope to gain from your time with Mass Audubon with your ADP application.

Responsibilities

Education

• Assist as requested with any formal education or volunteer programs and provide informal information to Sanctuary visitors and the public as needed

 Marketing, Public/Community Relations

• Assist Islands Region staff to create outreach materials as needed
• Serve as a public representative for Mass Audubon when engaging with members of the public and Sanctuary visitors

 Property

• Monitor and maintain properties including residence/office grounds and trail systems extending over 10 miles at Lost Farm, Smith’s Point, and Sesachacha Heathlands Wildlife Sanctuaries
• Monitor and record areas of Southern Pine Beetle invasion within pitch pine forests   
• Identify/document/remove invasive species
• Assist Mass Audubon’s Coastal Waterbird Program which protects threatened and endangered species that nest on Nantucket’s shores by installing symbolic fencing, documenting bird behavior, searching for birds and their nests, mapping bird activities, and completing reports and paperwork as needed
• Participate in ongoing citizen science efforts at Nantucket Sanctuaries and partner organizations
• Research history of Mass Audubon’s Nantucket properties
• Assist with building maintenance and improvements

Qualifications
At Mass Audubon, our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or you have a less traditional background. We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications:

Must Haves

• Applicants must be between 16 and 22 years of age
• Personal interest in working outdoors and with the public
• Currently enrolled in or graduated from high school or equivalent
• Must be able to work long hours outside in all weather conditions and be able to lift and carry up to 40lbs across varied and sandy terrain

Nice to Haves

• Nantucket year-round students preferred

Compensation, Benefits and Perks
This position’s pay range is $15.72-$17.68/hour; actual salary will reflect level of experience and qualifications relative to position requirements. This is not a benefits eligible position.

Work Schedule
24 hours per week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 8:00am-4:00pm. Occasional weekend shifts as needed to support Coastal Waterbird Program activities. This is a summer position and will run from July 9-August 29, 2024 with some flexibility on the end date. 

Other Requirements
Employees must successfully complete a CORI and SORI Background Check and a Motor Vehicle Record (if applicable) is required.