Outreach Education Assistant (3 Positions)

The Outreach Education Assistant represents the Seabird Institute (SI) to the public as a narrator aboard puffin watching cruises, and as a greeter and interpreter at the Project Puffin Visitor Center in Rockland, Maine. Outreach Education Assistants bring the story of SI’s 45-year history to children, adults, and families, and help people to understand the necessity for this applied conservation work, as well as to inspire them to become personally involved in conservation. 

There are (3) full-time seasonal positions available as detailed below:

Start Dates:

Position (1)

Begins early May 1, 2022
This position includes working at the visitor center as well as assisting with all chores and logistics for the opening & establishment of Seabird Island Field Camps. 

Position (2) and (3)

Begin mid-May

End Dates:

(2) positions - August 31st
Position (1) - October 31st

This position includes working at the Visitor Center (5) days / week in September and October. 

Responsibilities:

• Initial 1-2 week participation in seabird island field work including, but not limited to, bird counts and weather data collection, 3-hr observation stints from small unheated blinds, bird handling, measuring, banding, data entry and assisting with habitat management projects at an assigned island research site using binoculars (not provided) and spotting scopes (supplied) to aid in the collection of data as specified by the Island Supervisor;**
• Train with Education staff to learn: Audubon and early SRP history; how to identify Gulf of Maine seabirds; natural history of the Maine Coast with the goal of working independently as tour interpretive narrator;
• Serve as interpreter, field naturalist and store-keeper aboard commercial puffin-watching tours departing from New Harbor and Boothbay Harbor to Eastern Egg Rock, offshore in Muscongus Bay;
• Write social media posts and support weekly Seabird Island News publication.
• Train with the Project Puffin Visitor Center Manager to learn: operation of point-of-sale system; Visitor Center interpreter and inventory management procedures;
• Assist with operating remote wildlife cam channels which includes posting island/seabird updates; responding to comments;
• Maintain inventory and sell books and seabird-related items aboard the commercial tours and at Project Puffin Visitor Center;
• Promote SRP’s mission, and encourage tour participants and PPVC visitors to financially support the Program;
• Participate in Hog Island day trips; process sales on Hog Island store;
• Assist mainland staff with logistics, which includes driving to boat docks, bus and limo stops as needed;
• Assist mainland-based staff with procurement of supplies, packing groceries, research supplies and mail in waterproof island transport bags; cleaning and filling water jugs for resupplying research stations, etc.;
• Greet and guide new Seabird Restoration Program volunteers.  Help them with shopping and packing of supplies for the remote island field camps.
• Work with Island Research Coordinator and additional staff in early / mid-May to assist in set-up of Field Camps on offshore seabird nesting islands. 
• Ensure shared housing facility is properly and consistently maintained and cleaned.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Must be pursuing bachelor’s degree (or already hold a degree) in Environmental Education, Environmental Studies, Biology or similar background. 
• Previous experience in environmental education, bird-watching, and teaching public programs is required.
• Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications.
• Willingness and ability to camp in extreme weather, sit in small observation blinds with limited visibility for three-hour observation periods, and spend time at sea (on boats) is required.
• Excellent communications skills with ability to write clearly. 
• Must be able to climb over rugged terrain and lift approximately 50 lbs.
• Must possess a valid driver's license, as well as, personal pair of good quality binoculars.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Familiarity with spotting scopes, point-of-sale register system, camping equipment is a plus.

Additional Information:

• 2-person sized personal tents will be required (not furnished) for housing on the seabird islands.
• Wood platforms for tents on seabird islands will be provided.  Sleeping bags and ground pad will be required (not furnished).  Drinking water, food and propane for cooking are brought via boat and carried by hand to the field camps.

**Assistants will be living in primitive camping conditions.  These conditions include no running water, composting toilets, etc.  Solar panels will provide limited electricity.
 

Pay Rate: $12.75/hr and food is provided.  Housing also provided along picturesque Muscongus Bay in Bremen, Maine.

How to apply:

Send a resume and 3 references to Susie Meadows: smeadows@audubon.org