Schaefer Research Internship

About the Position:

Dr. Vincent and Lois Schaefer established the Schaefer Internship “to introduce students to the fascination and almost infinite variety of the natural world by providing the setting, exposure to dedicated scientists, and opportunity to sample a wide variety of nature study.”

This internship is within the Conservation & Community Education department and is ~10 weeks (~June-August, flexible start/end date).

Conservation & Community Education staff carry out a broad program of ecological research projects and educational programs including long-term studies on:

• Natural history of plants and animals
• Forest health and climate-adaptive management
• Invasive species
• Phenology
• Breeding bird communities

Primary Responsibilities and Expectations:

The 2026 Schaefer Research Internship at the Daniel Smiley Research Center provides an opportunity to work with Preserve research staff, scientists, and land managers on:

• Forest vegetation assessment (composition, structure, regeneration, overall health)
• Invasive species (insect and plant) surveys
• Phenology observations
• Assessing vegetation impact from white-tailed deer browse
• Forest bird surveys
• Detailed data collection & management

The selected intern will develop an individualized research project, complete a written report, and present their findings in an oral presentation at the end of the summer.

What You’ll Bring:

• Open to students currently enrolled in their sophomore or junior years of college (or equivalent credit hours) who are majoring in Biology, Ecology, Geology, Environmental Studies/Science, or related natural science majors.
• Must be able to provide personal gear for the day (rain gear, appropriate clothing, hiking boots).
• Commitment to ensuring that all people are respected and welcomed at Mohonk Preserve.

Physical Demands:

• Capable (and enthusiastic!) to occasionally walk several miles in a given day carrying a backpack over uneven terrain in potentially adverse field conditions (biting insects, rain, heat, humidity, etc.)
• Frequently uses a computer keyboard, reads, writes
• Frequently works outdoors
• Requires standing, walking, hiking, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, carrying equipment
• Occasional events indoors or outdoors outside standard office hours and in other locations around the Preserve

Total Rewards Package:

This is a full-time (40 hours per week), seasonal, temporary position offering the following:

• $16.50/hour for a maximum of 400 hours
• On-site housing available
• Direct Payroll Deposit
• Mohonk Preserve membership for duration of internship
• Access to lands and some activities of Mohonk Mountain House resort

Eligibility for certain benefits is dependent upon a variety of factors including employment status.

Location:

Mohonk Preserve’s main offices are located at our Visitor Center in Gardiner, NY. This position will be based out of the Preserve’s Daniel Smiley Research Center (DSRC) on the grounds of the Mohonk Mountain House resort. Mohonk Preserve offers hybrid work schedules at this time – coordinated with their supervisor and depending on the job, staff may be able to split time working remotely, as well as in the office and in-person on the land. Generally standard working hours, with some flexibility, to be coordinated with supervisor.

Mohonk Preserve is a smoke-free campus.