Tin Mountain strives to provide a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment in which to learn about and explore the natural world. Our doors and our lands are open and available to everyone who wants to participate. Tin Mountain Conservation Center staff, board of trustees, and members are united in our passion for environmental conservation, education, and research as well as our mutual trust and respect for each other and the world in which we live.
Resident Bird Study Intern: The resident bird project consists of several areas of study that change seasonally over the course of the year. The resident bird program was established to evaluate the seasonal changes in forest songbird species assemblages and habitat associations, as well as measure forest songbird response to harvest management techniques, and establish a long term database from which trends over decades can be determined. Internship duties include weekly point count surveys on 3 properties to catalogue species assemblages using our forests and establish habitat associations of forest songbirds, winter color-banding of year-round resident bird species, summer breeding season banding at Tin Mountain’s MAPS stations, re-sighting color-banded birds at Tin Mountain’s Rockwell Sanctuary, vegetation habitat surveys, and assisting in community science projects such as Common Loon and American Kestrel nest monitoring.
In addition to work in the field, the resident bird intern will also have the opportunity to develop side research projects and gain experience with data management, statistical analyses, scientific writing, and presentations both to the local community and at professional conferences.
- An interest in avian ecology and forest management
- Experience identifying northern New England bird species by sight and sound
- A familiarity with or willingness to learn proper mist-netting and banding techniques
- Data collection, organization, and management skills
- Ability to work well in groups as well as independently in the field
- Ability to work in challenging field conditions including hot summer weather, insects, and early mornings
- Ability to navigate and hike through rough forested terrain
- A willingness to contribute to reports and pursue independent research projects
- Experience with GPS and mapping software such as ArcMap preferred but not required
Application Deadline: February 5, 2024
Compensation is a $1,500/month plus housing
- An interest in avian ecology and forest management
- Experience identifying northern New England bird species by sight and sound
- A familiarity with or willingness to learn proper mist-netting and banding techniques
- Data collection, organization, and management skills
- Ability to work well in groups as well as independently in the field
- Ability to work in challenging field conditions including hot summer weather, insects, and early mornings
- Ability to navigate and hike through rough forested terrain
- A willingness to contribute to reports and pursue independent research projects
- Experience with GPS and mapping software such as ArcMap preferred but not required
Brook Trout Ecology & Stream Restoration Interns: We are seeking 2 interns for our summer 2024 field season. Internships will run from late May/ early June through mid-late August. Tin Mountain has been conducting stream restoration activities throughout the Mount Washington Valley since 2010. Interns will collect baseline information on study streams prior to treatment with large wood additions, as well as conduct post-treatment assessments on previously treated sites.
- An interest in brook trout ecology and freshwater stream restoration
- Experience identifying northern New England benthic macroinvertebrate species preferred but not required
- Ability to use a dichotomous key to identify benthic macroinvertebrate species
- Data collection, organization, and management skills
- Ability to work well in groups as well as independently in the field
- Ability to work in challenging field conditions including hot summer weather, insects, and long days in the field
- Ability to conduct strenuous, physical outdoor work
- Ability to navigate and hike through rough forested terrain
- A willingness to contribute to reports and pursue independent research projects
- Experience with GPS and mapping software such as ArcMap preferred but not required
Compensation is $1,200/month. Shared housing is provided.
- Work with Research Director & Research Manager to implement the Trout Intern Program
- Help coordinate the planning and preparation of the stream habitat restoration work that is central to the program
- Conduct initial site visits to target streams
- Communicate with landowners, state agencies, and wetland permitting personnel relative to the implementation of Strategic Woody Additions (SWA) to the target stream(s)
- Review SWA protocols and prepare field equipment and data sheets for pre-treatment monitoring
- Benthic macro-invertebrate sampling
- Water quality monitoring using multi-meter and/or data loggers
- Coldwater fish electro-fishing with NH Fish & Game
- Train and supervise two trout interns during the summer months
- Purpose of project, background & history of TMCC SWA project work
- Use and implementation of sampling equipment
- Protocols for sampling (macro-invertebrates, e-fishing, WQ testing, etc.)
- Identification and vouchering of MI samples
- Preparation & oversight of intern special projects
- Aid & assist in intern presentation to public of special projects
- Coordinate timing and implementation of treatment efforts
- Advance requests to sawyers, TMCC staff & volunteers
- Preparation of equipment for SWA actions
- Communication with landowners on exact timing of SWA actions
- Communication with TMCC marketing staff for any press releases and/or local newspaper articles about the stream work
- Communication with TMCC website staff for posting information on tinmountain.org
- Preparation & Drafting of post-treatment reports
- Request, review, and archive fish data
- Review and QA/QC of SWA metrics (number of logs, sizes, species, etc.)
- Drafting of report of actions for funding agencies, TMCC, and partners, to be reviewed and edited by Research Manager & Research Director
- Completion of exit interviews with trout interns and assistance with written references as needed
Ideally the position will start in mid-April at 15 hours/week, shifting to 20 hours/week in June and then 30/week in mid July. The position does have the ability to run 20/week for the duration of the 6 months.
· Minimum 2 years field experience in freshwater ecology-related field (e.g. fisheries, macro-invertebrate sampling, water quality testing, etc.)
· Some flexibility in weekly schedule likely given vagaries of weather, other employment, etc., always with proper notice
Compensation is $20/hour; average of 20 hours/ week for 6 months.
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Interns are an integral part of the staff and participate in all aspects of the center’s operation and have an opportunity to work with all ages, and with a variety of groups, including schools and the general public. Interns are involved in general Nature Center operations including weekend festivals and events, curriculum and program development, and writing articles for the newsletter. Tin Mountain’s best interns have a strong desire to teach and share their knowledge and enthusiasm for the natural world. A background in education or the natural sciences is helpful but not necessary.
Learn more about our ongoing projects on our Research & Studies page.