Job Details

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:

Audubon North Carolina posts and manages beach-nesting bird colonies on Wrightsville Beach. As a busy, public beach, the area receives a great deal of foot traffic and is both vulnerable to human disturbance and ideal for outreach. The Volunteer Coordinator will work to recruit, train, and manage volunteer bird stewards on Wrightsville Beach, ensure beachgoers and their dogs do not enter the posting or disturb nesting birds, lead field trips at the colony, act as stewards, do light maintenance of the posting, collect simple data, and assist with coordinating or conducting other volunteer efforts as needed. The volunteers will act as ambassadors for the birds by educating beachgoers and using optics to show them the birds. The Volunteer Coordinator will report to the coastal biologist and work closely with other Audubon North Carolina staff to ensure the needs of the birds are met throughout the summer.

This is a part-time seasonal position (15-20 hours/week) with expected duration from March to September, 2026. Housing is not provided.

This position is classified as on-site based at the Audubon North Carolina - State Office the Wilmington, NC area.

Compensation:

$19.50 / hour

Additional Job Description

Essential Functions:

• Recruit and train volunteers to be bird stewards at nesting colonies on Wrightsville Beach.
• Coordinate and organize volunteers' schedules to ensure the greatest possible steward presence at the colony and distribute materials and equipment needed for steward activities.
• Perform steward duties at the colonies as needed.
• Lead weekly field trips to the colony and organize additional field trips as requested.
• Support volunteers, field phone calls and emails, and provide logistical support when possible.
• Collect counts of human or dog entry into the posted areas, collect the same from volunteers, and assist with nest censuses in the colony.
• Assist with organizing a volunteer appreciation event at end of season.
• Assist with coordinating or conducting other volunteer activities as needed.
• Maintains and fosters culture of safety.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in biology or a related field.
• Experience with and a high comfort level in public speaking and interacting with the public on an informal basis is required; experience interacting with local government officials desired.
• Demonstrated interest in protecting coastal wildlife in North Carolina.
• Knowledge of beach-nesting bird biology preferred.
• Willingness to work in difficult weather conditions outdoors and must have a reliable means of transportation to and from the beach.
• Management or HR experience preferred.
• Willingness to work on weekends and holidays; candidate must live in the greater Wilmington, NC area.Excellent oral and written communication and public speaking skills.
• Commitment to Audubon's organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.
• Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.

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