Shorebird Ecology Ambassador Intern

Program Dates: 5/20/24 - 9/15/24  

About us:
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and adults. Program participants protect and restore national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks, community green spaces, and much more across the country.

Program Description:
Do you love cities AND the outdoors?

Gateway National Recreation Area was established 50 years ago as the country's first urban National Park to bring the National Park Service idea and values closer to people living in New York City. Experience summer in the city through an internship with Gateway's Interpretation & Education team, focusing on expanding interpretive and recreational opportunities at Gateway's beach locations. 

The Shorebird Ecology Ambassador interns will work directly with local non-profit NYC Plover Project and their volunteers to educate visitors about sharing the shore with the threatened shorebirds that nest on Gateway's beaches. 

Interns will also have an opportunity to 1.) engage local communities, attending events like NYC's Plover Day to help broaden awareness of the piping plover and other protected species and 2.) plan stewardship events, like beach clean-ups, with park partners and to develop content for the park's social media pages and website. 

Interns will benefit from a robust training program that focuses on audience-centered interpretation, operational leadership, resource stewardship ethics, and conflict de-escalation.
Interns will have full access to the natural, cultural, and recreational resources of the ten National Park Service sites in the greater New York City area, and will have the chance to visit and meet with park managers and staff.  

The internship take place primarily outdoors at beach locations at Gateway's Rockaway beaches.
No housing is available for this position.

Member Benefits:

• $725 - weekly living allowance
• $650 – roundtrip travel allowance (if non-local)
• AmeriCorps eligible - education award of approximately $2,626 upon successful completion of position and service of 675 hours or more

     *All allowances subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes*

Member Qualifications:

• Driver’s license

Additional:

Must be eligible to serve as an AmeriCorps Member. This includes:

• Being a citizen, permanent resident, or national of the United States;
• Being at least 18 years or older;
• Having a high school diploma or equivalent;
• Being willing to undergo National Service Criminal History Check, including criminal background, sex offender and FBI checks.