Snowy Plover Monitoring Program Community Recreational Use Intern

The National Audubon Society seeks a Snowy Plover Monitoring Program Community Recreational Use Intern in Salt Lake City, UT. The intern will assist with surveys of human recreational use affecting Snowy Plover habitats. This part-time position offers $16/hr for 15 to 27 hours weekly from May to August 2025, with 75% of work in the field and 25% in the office. Mileage reimbursement is provided, and training will be offered.
• April 16
Employer: National Audubon Society

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah

Country: United States

Last Date to Apply: 05/20/2025

Open Until Filled: No

Position Summary

The Snowy Plover (SNPL) Monitoring Program Community Recreational Use Intern will assist in implementing surveys of human recreational use on and near the SNPL habitat of the South Shore of Great Salt Lake, Utah. The western intermountain population of SNPL is believed to be in decline as documented breeding pairs at Great Salt Lake (one of the two most important breeding areas in North America) have plummeted in recent years. Audubon Rockies and Saline Lakes of the National Audubon Society and Tracy Aviary initiated a pilot breeding SNPL monitoring project during the summer of 2023. The project is continuing this year and includes surveys to quantify the extent and type of human-related disturbance to the birds. Survey types may consist of (but are not limited to) visitor usage surveys, geospatial monitoring, remotely accessed data with trail cameras, etc. Interns will work closely with the Sr. Associate of Community Building at Gillmor Sanctuary.

Ultimately, this internship is an excellent introduction to research that is intended to drive the co-creation of conservation actions by science and the community. Interns will gain invaluable experience from interactive communications with diverse community members, conducting research in the field, honing data management skills, and opportunities to present key findings to key conservation partners that will help prepare them for advanced degrees and future employment.

The position is part-time hourly at $16/hr. Flexible schedule of 15 to 27/hrs. per week from May 27th through August 31st, 2025. The project team will coordinate on schedule to align field visitation to nesting areas and achieve a subsample analysis of visitor use during various times (day/evening, weekends/weekdays, holiday/non-holiday). Interns will work as a team for field safety. Interns can expect to spend approximately 75% of their time at the research sites, accessed primarily from the frontage road and Saltair off Interstate 80, and 25% in the office / on computers. Project orientation and equipment training will be provided. Mileage reimbursement is included. Carpooling to sites will be coordinated.

Use the link below to see the job description and apply.

https://audubon.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Audubon/job/National-Audubon-Society-Saline-Lakes-Program–Gillmor-Sanctuary-Office/Snowy-Plover-Monitoring-Program-Community-Recreational-Use-Intern_JR702