Phone

(413) 245-1264

Email

info@norcrosswildlife.org

Opening Hours

Monday-Saturday 8:30 am-4:00 pm. Closed Holiday Weekends.

2024 Applied Ecology Aprenticeship/Internship Programs at the Norcross Wildlife Foundation

We are currently accepting applications for one apprenticeship and three internships in our Applied Ecology Department for the 2024 growing season.

Internship Opportunities 

Three Educational internship positions are available at Norcross Wildlife Foundation (NWF) for the 2024
growing season, beginning in (or around) late May of 2024 and ending in (or around) mid-October of 2024. The
NWF internship program is designed to aid applicants with their career development via on-site educational
and work experiences. Interns will primarily work on landscape planting, maintenance, invasive plant removal,
and habitat restoration tasks; will practice native plant identification through botanical inventories and will aid
in other tasks related to the maintenance and care of Norcross landholdings as needed. As participants of an
educational program, interns will attend lectures/programs, go on field trips, and work collaboratively on an
assigned internship project. The 2024 internship project will consist of preparing and planting an
approximately half-acre scrubland habitat. Interns are provided with free housing on-site and a stipend paid biweekly.

Qualifications
The major qualification is a desire to learn more about building habitat using native plants. The following
qualifications will all be considered when filling the positions:
• Experience with propagation, horticulture, gardening, farming, wildlife ecology or related
fields
• Experience with invasive species removal
• Ability to identify plants using a botanical key
• Preference will be given to applicants with professional or academic backgrounds (BA, BS, etc.) in
environmental science, ecology, wildlife biology, botany, and similar fields.

Additional Qualifications
• Ability to handle inclement weather including buggy conditions and hot, cold, or wet weather
• Ability to handle strenuous manual labor associated with outdoor work:
• Safely lift 30-50lbs
• Walk and hike on steep slopes and uneven terrain while carrying equipment
• Valid driver’s license from any US state and a driving record reaching back at least six years
• Preference will be given to applicants available for the full program duration (800 hours, or about 5
months beginning in mid-May).
• Unfortunately, we cannot sponsor visa applicants.

The Public Area of Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary (NWS)
At the heart of the Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary is a 75-acre parcel open to the public where a substantial
proportion of the Applied Ecology interns’ time will be spent. This area provides numerous examples of the
value native plants offer to their ecosystems. Ranging from high and dry sites to swamps and rich
woodlands, the public area is welcoming, beautiful, and above all, valuable wildlife habitat chock full of both
common and rare native species. Most of those species planted at NWS are grown on-site in our greenhouse
before being moved to permanent places.
Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary:
The Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1939 by Arthur D. Norcross. Its present area includes
thousands of acres of wooded hills, ponds, and streams. It is maintained by the Norcross Wildlife Foundation,
Inc. whose purpose is the conservation of wildlife and the active practice of conservation for the benefit of the
public. This includes the propagation of native plants, the preservation of birds and wildlife, and the
conservation of land and water.

Additional Duties
Interns will work under the Applied Ecology Apprentice and report to the Applied Ecologist, who will set
weekly tasks, organize, and lead field trips, lead trainings, and facilitate work activities. As participants in an
educational program, interns will have the opportunity to work with other members of the NWF staff.
Additional duties might include boundary identification and marking, trail maintenance, storm cleanup, and
other duties as needed.

Application Details
• Application Deadline: February 20th or as soon as the positions are filled.
• Stipend will be paid at $16.25/hour for all hours of program participation, up to a maximum of 800
hours
• Housing is available, free of charge, on site, subject to an occupancy agreement
• General housing availability is from late May through mid-October
• This program is 40 hours/week, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, with some weekend
and/or later hours as needed.

To apply please send a resume, cover letter, and list of three (3) references to Mx. Leo Kenney at
lkenney@norcrosswildlife.org, please include your name and the words “NWF Internship Application” in the
subject line.
The Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not tolerate discrimination based
on an individual’s sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage, religion, marital status, pregnancy,
sexual orientation or affectional preference, gender identity and expression, disability, genetic trait or
predisposition, carrier status, citizenship, veteran or military status and other personal characteristics
protected by law. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected
characteristics.

The Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary will consider qualified applicants in a manner consistent with the
requirements of applicable state and local “Fair Chance” laws.

The Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary is committed to welcoming a diverse and inclusive workforce, one that
celebrates the varied communities we serve. Our mission and programs can greatly benefit from a range of
perspectives and, as a result, we strongly encourage qualified applications from women, veterans, people with
disabilities, people of color, and gender nonconforming candidates.

Apprenticeship Opportunity

The Applied Ecology Apprenticeship position is available at Norcross Wildlife Foundation (NWF) for the 2024
growing season. The Apprentice will take the lead in directing the day-to-day activities of three interns under
the guidance of the Applied Ecologist and Director of Applied Ecology and will participate in all activities of the
NWF internship program. The NWF internship program is designed to aid applicants with their career
development via on-site educational and work experiences. Interns will aid in plant identification and botanical
inventories, propagation, landscape design and planting, maintenance, invasive plant removal, habitat
restoration, and all other duties related to ecological horticulture and applied ecology. The Apprentice will
report to the Applied Ecologist, who will supply weekly lists of tasks and who will orient and assist the
Apprentice and intern team with assigned tasks. As participants of an educational program, interns (and the
Apprentice) will attend lectures/programs, go on field trips, and work collaboratively on an assigned internship
project. The 2024 internship project will consist of preparing and planting an approximately half-acre
scrubland. Interns and the Apprentice are provided with housing on-site and a stipend paid bi-weekly. The
Apprentice will lead other interns in specific tasks, primarily landscape and habitat restoration planting, site
preparation, and maintenance, as well as in invasive-species removal.

Qualifications
The main qualification for the Apprentice is an enthusiasm for ecological horticulture or ecological restoration,
and experience working with interns, volunteers, or some other people-management experience. The
following qualifications will also be considered when filling the Apprentice position:
• At least 6 months’ planting and maintenance experience in conventional horticulture, ecological
horticulture, farming/agriculture or a similar skillset
• Prior leadership experience within the above contexts, or within other teamwork contexts (e.g. sports
teams, project management)
• Experience with invasive species removal (MA state applicator license preferred but not required)
• Ability to identify plants using a botanical key

Additional Qualifications
• Ability to handle inclement weather including buggy conditions and hot, cold, or wet weather
• Ability to handle strenuous manual labor associated with outdoor work:
• Safely lift 30-50lbs
• Walk and hike on steep slopes and uneven terrain while carrying equipment
• Valid driver’s license from any US state and a driving record reaching back at least six years
•Preference will be given to applicants available for the full program’s duration (800 hours, or about 5
months beginning in early-to-mid-May).
• Unfortunately, we cannot sponsor visa applicants.

The Public Area of Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary (NWS)
At the heart of the Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary is a 75-acre parcel open to the public where a substantial
proportion of the Applied Ecology interns’ time will be spent. This area provides numerous examples of the
value native plants offer to their ecosystems. Ranging from high and dry sites to swamps and rich
woodlands, the public area is welcoming, beautiful, and above all valuable wildlife habitat chock full of both
common and rare native species. Most of those species planted at NWS are grown on-site in our greenhouse
before being moved to permanent places.
Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary:
The Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1939 by Arthur D. Norcross. Its present area includes
thousands of acres of wooded hills, ponds, and streams. It is maintained by the Norcross Wildlife Foundation,
Inc. whose purpose is the conservation of wildlife and the active practice of conservation for the benefit of the
public. This includes the propagation of native plants, the preservation of birds and wildlife, and the
conservation of land and water.

Additional Duties
The Apprentice will join the other interns during educational components of the program, including
opportunities to work with other members of the NWF staff. Additional duties might include boundary
identification and marking, trail maintenance, storm cleanup, and other tasks as needed.

Application Details
• Application Deadline: February 16th or as soon as the position is filled.
• Stipend will be paid at $18.25/hour for all hours of program participation, up to a maximum of 800
hours
• Housing is available, free of charge, on site, subject to an occupancy agreement
• General housing availability is from late May through mid-October
• This program is 40 hours/week, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, with some weekend
and/or later hours as needed.

To apply please send a resume, cover letter, and list of three (3) references to Mx. Leo Kenney at
lkenney@norcrosswildlife.org, please include your name and the words “NWF Apprentice Application” in the
subject line.
The Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not tolerate discrimination based
on an individual’s sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage, religion, marital status, pregnancy,
sexual orientation or affectional preference, gender identity and expression, disability, genetic trait orpredisposition, carrier status, citizenship, veteran or military status and other personal characteristics
protected by law. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected
characteristics.

The Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary will consider qualified applicants in a manner consistent with the
requirements of applicable state and local “Fair Chance” laws.

The Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary is committed to welcoming a diverse and inclusive workforce, one that
celebrates the varied communities we serve. Our mission and programs can greatly benefit from a range of
perspectives and, as a result, we strongly encourage qualified applications from women, veterans, people with
disabilities, people of color, and gender nonconforming candidates.

2021 Interns at Mount Washington

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