Applied Ecology Apprentice

2024 Applied Ecology Apprenticeship at Norcross Wildlife Foundation

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.