Fall and Spring Conservation Education Internships

Established through a major gift to the School in the Cloudscampaign, these semester-long internships are an investment in the next generation of conservation education leaders. The program is targeted toward students who are committed to careers in natural resource conservation or conservation education. Students participating in these internships have the opportunities to:

  • Receive on-the-job training and develop job skills at a world-class raptor conservation and education facility.
  • Interact with research scientists and graduate students in the field, as well as visiting professionals.
  • Meet and form partnerships with other trainees and interns from across the nation and around the world.
  • Network with other conservation organizations.
  • Develop and implementnew programs for the public that will grow in future years.
  • Learn and facilitate on-site and off-site raptor conservation programs for public and school groups.
  • Educate visitors about raptor conservation and Appalachian forest ecology.
  • Become a mentor for future interns and volunteers.
  • Complete a chosen student-led project.
  • Obtain college credit as approved by student’s accredited university.
  • Earn a stipend of $600/month and receive on-site housing.
  • Develop technological and social media skills.

Overview

The objective of theSpeers Conservation Education Internshipisto train individuals who are passionate about pursuing a career in conservation education or biological science education. A secondary goal is to maintain relationships with interns in order to build a growing network of conservation educators across the country, and in time, around the world.

Application for Internship

Applications are accepted year round. The 16-week paid internships run from:

Spring- mid-March through the end of June

Fall-mid-August through the end of November

*A two-week mandatory orientation is provided at the beginning of the internship.

Application and Eligibility Requirements

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Goals:

  1. Establish a strong fall and spring conservation education internship for individuals committed to careers in natural resource conservation and conservation education.
  2. Develop high-quality lesson plans, curricula, and teaching materials that include diverse programming with current themes that focus on raptor conservation, Appalachian forest ecology, and Hawk Mountain natural history. Lesson plans and materials will be exportable globally through the web.
  3. Build a growing network of conservation educators across the country, and in time, around the world.

Duties of Interns

Work with education staff to develop and implement both on and off-site education programs weekdays or weekends for school groups and visitors.

Develop lesson plans that include diverse programming with current themes that focus on raptor conservation, Appalachian forest ecology, and Hawk Mountain natural history. Lesson plans will be exportable globally through the web.

Create new raptor conservation curricula based on the Sanctuary’s research and data. Curricula will be exportable globally through the web.

Completion of a meaningful student-led project.

Work with communications staff on press releases, website updates, social media posts, and materials development.

Implement virtual programs with classrooms through Skype.

Write grants for resources needed in education programs as needed.

Attend workshops, conferences, lectures, programs, and meetings with staff educators for enrichment opportunities. Visit other raptor education facilities in order to promote networking and partnering.

Benefits

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary provides:

  • Stipend of $600/month
  • Housing in the Acopian Center for Conservation Learning
  • Vehicles for work use
  • Use of Mac and Dell laptops and other audio visual equipment
  • On-the-job training and job skill development at a world-class raptor conservation facility with world renowned research scientists, graduate students, and visiting professionals.

Eligibility Requirements

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary seeks applications from highly motivated students who are committed to careers in natural resource conservation, conservation education, or biological science education.

  • Students enrolled in an accredited college with coursework in conservation, education, or the biological sciences are eligible to apply;however, preference for internship placement is given to college graduates or senior students.
  • Background clearances- state and federal
  • Valid driver’s license

Course Credit:

Interns should coordinate directly with their school to obtain course credit for their work.

To Apply:

E-mail a cover letter, resume, and two *letters of recommendation to Erin Brown, Director of Education, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary at

*Letters of recommendation must come from the recommenders directly via mail or e-mail.

The mission of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association is to conserve birds of prey worldwide by providing leadership in raptor conservation science and education, and by maintaining Hawk Mountain Sanctuary as a model observation, research, and education facility.