About Audubon

The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.

Position Summary:

The Outreach Education Assistant represents the Seabird Institute (SI) to the public as a narrator and bird guide aboard puffin watching cruises, and as a greeter and interpreter at the Project Puffin Visitor Center in Rockland, Maine. Providing outreach in the form of educational programming and presentations to the public is expected. Overall, the Outreach Education Assistants bring the story of SI’s 50+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 action as donors and citizen activists.

Shared housing is provided and required at Audubon's Todd Wildlife Sanctuary, located at 12 Audubon Road, in Bremen, Maine.

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

Length of Assignment:

Start Dates:

• Position (1) and (2)

  • Begins May 1st,2026

  • 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 (3)

  • Begins May 8th, 2026

End Dates:

• (1) position - August 31st

• (1) position - September 31st

• (1) position - October 31st

  • The 2 later positions include working at the Visitor Center 5 days/week in September and October.

• Hours: 40

This role is on-site at Audubon’s Todd Wildlife Sanctuary in Bremen, ME.

Compensation:

$19.00 / hour

Essential Functions

• Train with Education staff to learn: SI 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.

• Train with the Project Puffin Visitor Center (PPVC) Manager to learn: the operation of the point-of-sale system; Visitor Center interpreter, PPVC education programs and inventory management procedures.

• Maintain inventory and sell seabird-related items aboard the commercial tours and at the PPVC.

• Assist in writing social media posts.

• Assist with implementing educational and birding programs.

• Promote SI’s mission, and encourage tour participants and PPVC visitors to financially support the program by soliciting donations.

• Serve as storekeeper at the Hog Island store and help maintain inventory demands.

• 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. as needed.

• Greet and guide new Seabird Institute volunteers. Help them with shopping and packing of supplies for the remote island field camps as needed.

• Ensure shared housing facility is properly and consistently maintained and cleaned.

• Act as official point of contact for visitors at the Todd Wildlife Sanctuary when mainland staff are not available; times assigned as necessary.

• Maintains and fosters culture of safety.

• Other job duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Pursuing bachelor’s degree, already hold a degree, or 2+ years’ experience in Environmental Education, Environmental Studies, Biology, or similar background.

• Previous experience in environmental education, bird-watching, and/or teaching public programs is desirable.

• Must be able to spend up to 3 hours at sea (on boats) and withstand rough sea conditions.

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to write clearly.

• Must be able to traverse over rugged terrain and maneuver approximately 30 lbs.

• Must possess a valid driver's license, as well as, have familiarity with the use of binoculars.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Familiarity with spotting scopes, point-of-sale register system, and camping equipment is desirable.

• Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.

• Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.

Additional Information:

• Participation up to 5 days (although not required) 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, data entry and assisting with habitat management projects at an assigned island research site using binoculars (can be provided) and spotting scopes (supplied) to aid in the collection of data as specified by the Island Supervisor.

• Living conditions on seabird island; 2-person-sized personal tents, which can be provided.

• Wood platforms for tents on seabird islands will be provided. A sleeping bag and ground pad are essential and can be provided. Drinking water, food, and propane for cooking are brought via boat and carried by hand to the field camps.

Accommodations:

Shared housing is provided and required for employment.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic outlined by federal, state, or local laws. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates.

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 Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.