Community Conservation Fellow
: Job Details :

Overview:

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas towards a future where birds thrive because Audubon is a powerful, diverse, and ever-growing force for conservation. Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the hemisphere and more than 1.5 million active supporters. North America has lost three billion birds since 1970, and more than 500 bird species are at risk of extinction across Latin America and the Caribbean. Birds act as early warning systems about the health of our environment, and they tell us that birds and our planet are in crisis. Together as one Audubon, we are working to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss. We do this by implementing on-the-ground conservation, partnering with local communities, influencing public and corporate policy, and building community. Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon brings new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

Position Summary:

The Community Conservation Fellow will work with Audubon to build meaningful relationships with Community Placemaking Engagement Network (CPEN), the Menunkatuck Audubon Chapter, and other programmatic partners and community members located in the cities of New Haven, Bridgeport, and Waterbury, Connecticut.

This job requires a culturally competent, organized, and responsible person with capacity to communicate with multi-generational audiences. The successful applicant must have an awareness of local ecology, an enthusiasm for the outdoors, a willingness to learn, teach, and share actively with New Haven and Fairfield County community groups.

This is a seasonal 11-month grant/donor?funded position working 20-25 hours/week.

This position is on-site based out of Audubon Bent of the River Sanctuary, 185 E Flat Hill Rd, Southbury, CT with some remote and field work required. The position requires travel to community organizations and local natural areas throughout New Haven and/or Fairfield Counties.

Compensation:

$16,720 - $24,200 / year

Essential Functions:

Throughout the duration of the fellowship, the Fellow will receive training and gain the skills necessary to:

• Work with youth and community members in hands-on habitat restoration, leadership development, community stewardship, and advocacy training.
• Keep Community Conservation participants informed through targeted outreach and social media posts of the work that is being achieved, and how to get further involved.

With the guidance and support from the regional Community Conservation team, the Community Conservation Fellow will:

• Co-design and deliver culturally relevant programs and stewardship activities that engage community members with their local nature spaces, engages them in learning about natural assets and their care, and builds awareness for paths to stewardship and action for those individuals interested in actively caring for local natural areas in New Haven and Fairfield Counties.
• The Community Conservation Fellow will be trained to implement Audubons Community Conservation programming and to maintain positive community partnerships; co-develop culturally resonant nature programs for the residents of New Haven and Fairfield counties.

Qualifications and Experience:

• High school diploma required, some higher education preferred.
• Minimum of one year of relevant job experience in outreach and engagement, organizing, communication, youth development, environmental education or conservation.
• A basic familiarity with birds, native and invasive plants of the region.
• Experience with participating in a community science programs.
• Familiarity with local schools, community and faith-based organizations in the New Haven, Bridgeport, and/or Waterbury region preferred.
• An enthusiasm for outdoor activities required.
• Ability to lead nature walks, preferred.
• Experience creating content for various Social Media platforms.
• Must be able to lift items that weigh 25lbs for habitat planting days.
• Candidates should be comfortable working outside in a variety of weather conditions.
• Excellent communication skills, a professional demeanor, and experience working with multigenerational audiences and diverse cultural communities.
• Must be well?organized and responsible with the ability to work remotely and independently, as well as part of a team.
• Reliable mode of transport for travel around the cities of New Haven, Bridgeport, and Waterbury is required.

EEO Statement:

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

Accessibility Statement:

The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact ...@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.