The Visitor Services Outreach & Environmental Education intern will be stationed at the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Sudbury, Massachusetts for 32 weeks with a flexible start date between March – May 2021.  About 90% of the intern's time will be focused on outreach, interpretation, and environmental education activities at multiple National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) in eastern and central Massachusetts. Duties will include, but are not limited to: working with volunteers to run the refuge's Assabet River NWR Visitor Center on Saturdays and Sundays; leading interpretive programs open to the general public; working with refuge staff to create and lead interpretive programs for young children and boy/girl scout troops; working with refuge staff to create and lead environmental education programs for underserved youth; working with volunteers, school groups, and scout troops to maintain the pollinator gardens at the refuge Visitor Center; update refuge social media accounts; keep refuge kiosks stocked with brochures; and conduct outreach about the refuge to local organizations. The other 10% of the intern's time will be spent assisting refuge staff on various biological, maintenance, and management projects.    

All work will be conducted in accordance with the CDC, State of Massachusetts, and USFWS guidelines for Covid-19. Hires may be required to quarantine prior to the start date. There may also be some adjustments to projects as the season progresses, to ensure everyone is able to work safely during the pandemic. 

The Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge will provide training, supervision, and daily work planning for the intern, and may also provide housing, tools, materials, personal protection equipment (PPE), and transportation on the refuge. Northwoods will be responsible for hiring and administrative duties related to the technicians and interns including providing a weekly stipend, payroll taxes, and workers compensation coverage.  All required documentation will be obtained from the selected individuals (W-2, I-9, etc.) and the interns will be covered under NorthWoods liability and workers compensation insurance policies. Stipend of $500/week for 32 weeks.  Free, dorm-style housing may be available, dependent on COVID restrictions.   

Projects and Tasks 

The Visitor Services Outreach and Environmental Education intern will: 

• lead the Complex’s website platform transition from ektron CMS to Drupal  
• lead the Refuge Explorers program at Assabet River NWR (design and facilitate 1 hour programs to fulfil badge requirements for girl scout and boy scout troops) 
• create engaging content for and manage the Assabet River NWR Facebook page 
• establish and manage a small, dedicated group of volunteers to maintain the pollinator gardens on a bi-weekly basis during the growing season (April – October) 
• collaborate with Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust staff to provide virtual after-school programs for 1st-3rd grade students at McAuliffe elementary school one to two times per week 
• attend off-site partner outreach events including, but not limited to, Endangered Species Day at Franklin Park Zoo, Lowell Earth Day Celebration and Parade, Framingham Earth Day Festival, Bug Fest at Franklin Park Zoo, Environmental Youth Conference in Lowell, etc. 
• work with Eastern MA NWR Complex staff to develop multimedia products for outreach and education purposes 
• develop, organize, and conduct interpretive programs for the general public 

Education, Training & Skills Expected  

• Strong written and oral communication 
• Excellent interpersonal skills 
• Public speaking 
• Working with children and youth 
• Ability to work independently and as a team, with volunteers and the public in a professional manner.   
• Degree in related field or pursuing higher education in relevant fields  
• Has enthusiasm for working outside, sometimes independently, in all weather conditions 
• Ability to work a flexible schedule with nights, weekends, and staggered days off as needed 
• Experience with creating engaging social media content  
• Experience with community event organizing or planning community projects