Internship – Shorebird Ecology Ambassador Intern

The Shorebird Ecology Ambassador Internship at the Student Conservation Association in New York City focuses on educating visitors about shorebirds at Gateway National Recreation Area. Interns will engage with local communities, plan stewardship events, and develop social media content. The position runs from May 19 to August 9, 2025, requires outdoor work at beach locations, and offers a living allowance of $620/week. No housing is provided.
Job Description

Conservation Begins Here

Shorebird Ecology Ambassador Internship

Position Summary

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.

Schedule

May 19, 2025 – August 9, 2025

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The Shorebird Ecology Ambassador intern 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. The intern will also have an opportunity to engage local communities, attending events like NYC’s Plover Day to help broaden awareness of the piping plover and other protected species. The intern will also have an opportunity to plan stewardship events, like beach clean-ups, with park partners and to develop content for the park’s social media pages and website. The intern will benefit from a robust training program that focuses on audience-centered interpretation, operational leadership, resource stewardship ethics, and conflict de-escalation. The intern 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 takes place primarily outdoors at beach locations at Gateway’s Rockaway beaches. No housing is available for this position.

Marginal Duties

Not applicable.

Required Qualifications
• Ability to spend a significant amount of time outdoors in beach settings
• Ability to speak in front of a wide variety of people in both formal and informal situations
• Ability to manage one’s own time
• Ability to adapt to unexpected conditions

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Preferred Qualifications
• Driver’s License
• Interest in natural history, especially ornithology

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

No Housing is provided for this position.

Compensation
• Living Allowance – $620/week
• AmeriCorps Education Award eligibility – $1,956

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

Personal Vehicle Information

Not needed

Additional Benefits
• AmeriCorps: Eligible/Optional
• Opportunity to visit other NPS sites, including Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

Equal Opportunity Statement

SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer.

Physical requirements and working conditions specific to the position are available in the full job description.