Bird Conservation Program Intern

• Location 1199 Cannery Rd,Coatesville, PA, 19320,United States
• Base Pay $16.00 - $16.00 / Hour
• Other Compensation Natural Lands provides comprehensive benefits for our employees. Eligibility is determined based on number of hours worked per week.
• Employee Type Seasonal - PT Non-Exempt
• Manage Others No

• Email FSchaefer

Natural Lands, a vibrant, regional, non-profit organization and leader in land conservation, natural resource stewardship, and public engagement, seeks an Intern to join our Bird Conservation Program.

Since the early 1950s, Natural Lands has saved open space, cared for nature, and connected people to the outdoors in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. Today, the organization is one of the nation’s largest regional land conservancies and is widely respected for its record of success, technical expertise, respectful and creative approach to partnerships, fiscal strength, and integrity.

Over the course of its nearly 70-year history, Natural Lands has helped preserve more than 135,000 acres including a network of over 40 nature preserves and one public garden across two states and 13 counties. These properties total 23,000 acres and include many of the most spectacular and diverse properties in the region, which are enjoyed by more than 300,000 visitors annually.

Natural Lands seeks to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our organization stronger. We aim to build a workplace where employees feel empowered to be their full, authentic selves. We welcome you to explore a career at Natural Lands.

The Bird Conservation Program Intern is an 8-week seasonal internship running from October through November that supports the operation of Natural Lands' Northern Saw-whet Owl (NSWO) banding station at Ches Len Preserve in Chester County, Pennsylvania. This position provides hands-on training in the field in NSWO monitoring, mist-net operation, bird handling, banding techniques, data collection, volunteer engagement, and conservation/migration research.

The Intern will work closely with the Bird Conservation Program Manager and volunteers to conduct nightly monitoring and banding activities, maintain station equipment, process captured owls, collect data, and ensure accurate reporting to the U.S. Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Laboratory, Project Owlnet and other partners. This position is recommended for an individual pursuing a career in ornithology, wildlife biology, conservation science, or natural resource management.

• Assist with the daily setup, operation, and breakdown of the NSWO Banding Station.
• Operate and monitor mist nets and audio lure systems in accordance with established protocols.
• Assist with the extraction, handling, identification, measurement, aging, sexing, banding, and release of NSWO occasional incidental owl species.
• Collect, enter, organize, and verify field data related to bird captures, banding, weather conditions, and station effort.
• Submit and maintain records for federal and internal databases, and partner organizations.
• Assist with equipment maintenance, inventory management, and station organization.
• Support volunteer recruitment, training, and engagement efforts.
• Help conduct annual volunteer orientations and communicate monitoring procedures, safety guidelines, and best practices.
• Serve as a positive representative of Natural Lands when interacting with volunteers and visitors.
• Maintain compliance with all bird banding permit requirements, safety procedures, and organizational policies.

• Full-time internship (37.5 hours per week).
• Work hours are primarily in the evening and overnight, during owl migration season.
• Typical shifts begin between 4:00pm and 5:30pm and conclude when station operations end, which may be as late as 2:00am or later during periods of high migration activity.

• Experience with mist-netting, bird handling, and bird banding.
• Previous experience volunteering or working at a bird banding station.
• Strong interest in ornithology, migration ecology, bird conservation, or wildlife research.
• Demonstrated ability to identify birds.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Highly motivated, dependable, organized, and detail oriented.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and follow established protocols.
• Willingness to work evenings, overnights, weekends, and in challenging weather…