Intern Information

Spring 2010 Internship at the Randall Davey Audubon Center (RDAC)
Please consider this exciting opportunity to work as an intern for a national environmental organization connecting students to the natural world in a beautiful 135 acre wildlife sanctuary. Our education staff relies heavily on Interns and Volunteers to conduct our programs. Interns are college students or recent graduates who are interested in pursuing a career in education or science. RDAC offers about a 10 week internship to individuals seeking professional experience in environmental education. Each intern receives training in a wide variety of education programs, the operations and activities of a nature center and non-profit organization, principles of environmental interpretation, art and historic interpretation and natural history of New Mexico. Interns will work directly with the education staff carrying out responsibilities necessary to meet RDAC’s objectives.

Intern Duties
During this seasonal internship, responsibilities include mentoring with staff educators and teaching natural history classes on topics such as birds, botany, watershed health, ecology, pollination and more, to elementary school children in the Santa Fe area. These programs are taught in our classroom, on our 135 acre Nature Center and Sanctuary or at local schools.

In addition to teaching responsibilities, interns duties range on a daily bases from facility up-keep, curriculum development, creating interpretive displays, orientation and interaction with visitors, clerical duties, and assistance to Audubon New Mexico staff. Interns may assist in the planning and implementation of special event programs. These events and programs may include presentations to after school or scout organizations, interacting with the public during special events held at the center, or helping with an Audubon booth during a community event. All intern responsibilities will emphasize RDAC’s mission while participating in a team atmosphere. Constituents of RDAC may include, but are not limited to, students, educators, RDAC visitors, renters of the facility, special event participants, and RDAC staff.

Intern Qualifications
Anyone with a minimum of two years of college-level study may apply. Academic training in natural resources, natural sciences (geology, biology), environmental science, education, recreation, or related field, is strongly desired. Preference will be given to candidates with some natural history background and a demonstrated interest in environmental education. Must be able flexible and able to lead groups in an outdoor setting including hiking at a high elevation, and have willingness to do a wide variety of administrative duties. Spanish language skills are highly desired. CPR/First Aid Certification, including child CPR, is required for hire

Intern Compensation
Seasonal internships are approximately 10 weeks in duration and will tentatively begin in early March 2010. Interns receive a living wage for the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico, which typically is about $10.00 dollars per hour. Interns may have the potential for shared, on-site housing. If housing is available on site, interns live in a quaint historic casita that is fully furnished and accommodates two people in a dorm like setting. Living on site also includes morning and evening responsibilities such as opening and closing the facility gate based on RDAC’s daily schedule of operations.

CPR/First Aid Certification, including child CPR, is required for hire. Overnight travel may be required. Authorization for a background check, with satisfactory results is also necessary for hire.

To Apply
Applications due by December 18, 2009
Please fill out the Intern Questionnaire Form . Include your application questionnaire with a cover letter, resume and three references, attention RDAC Education Department, P.O. Box 9314 Santa Fe, N.M. 87504 or email Dana Strang.

Audubon promotes a diverse workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the National Audubon Society to employ the person best qualified for the job regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability (handicap) or marital status.

Audubon New Mexico’s mission mirrors that of the National Audubon Society on a statewide basis: to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity. At the RDAC, we connect and engage children and adults with nature so that they will better understand and enjoy the world around them, while developing skills to become active stewards of the planet. Audubon staff members and volunteers offer educational enrichment opportunities to a diverse range of New Mexican communities and neighborhoods.

Intern Information Letter