Position Announcement
The Forest Society’s Monson Village Reservation in Hollis/Milford is considered by leading archeologists to be one of the most significant archeological sites in New England. Monson was an early colonial settlement that existed from 1737-1770. The center of the town, main roads, and multiple home foundations remained largely undisturbed over the following centuries and a community-led effort to protect these important resources was initiated in the late 1990s. Today, the 280-acre area is open for public recreation and features hiking trails, scenic open fields, valuable wildlife habitat, and space for connecting with local history. Monson has become one of the Forest Society’s most popular forest reservations.
Position Summary:
The Monson Community Engagement Intern is primarily responsible for providing Forest Society with a greater understanding of the recreation and community uses of its Monson Village Reservation. This will be accomplished through directly interacting with visitors as well as researching potential opportunities for future community-based uses that increase engagement and align with the conservation values of the property. This position will also be responsible for conducting a variety of routine stewardship tasks that relate to general visitor use or permitted group-use activities. Most job responsibilities will be field-based while working independently at the property.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the dedicated Forest Society staff, please send a cover letter (including your earliest available start date and latest available end date for the May-October season), resume, and contact information for two references by email as a single PDF document to our Reservation Stewardship and Policy Program Coordinator, Rebecca Lapitino, at rlapitino@forestsociety.org. Please list “Monson Community Engagement Intern” in the subject line.
Applications are due by 5:00 PM Thursday April 14, 2022.
No phone calls please
For more information about Monson, visit https://forestsociety.org/property/monson-center
For a full job description, see below
Monson Community Engagement Intern
Reports to: Recreation & Community Relations Manager
Salary: $15/hr.
Temporary, part-time (10-20 hours/week. May-Oct with flexible start and end dates)
Equity, Inclusion & Collaboration
The Forest Society is an equity-based employer. We value a diverse staff and an inclusive culture. We value staff that work for the good of the whole; that can effectively collaborate to achieve shared goals of their department, as well as the organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status or any other protected status as required by applicable law.
Position Summary:
The Monson Community Engagement Intern is primarily responsible for providing Forest Society with a greater understanding of the recreation and community uses of its Monson Village Reservation. This will be accomplished through directly interacting with visitors as well as researching potential opportunities for future community-based uses that increase engagement and align with the conservation values of the property. This position will also be responsible for conducting a variety of routine stewardship tasks that relate to general visitor use or permitted group-use activities. Most job responsibilities will be field-based while working independently at the property.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Observe and measure visitor use levels and patterns at a broad cross section of days/times during the internship’s duration.
- Collect and record data about visitor background, experience visiting, and their interests pertaining to Monson (likely via surveys).
- Monitor trail uses and conditions (on a periodic/monthly basis).
- Answer general questions for visitors about Monson and the Forest Society, and provide direct visitor outreach encouraging appropriate/low impact uses of the property.
- Provide onsite staff support for permitted group use activities.
- Monitor the public use areas of the property and submit online monitoring reports describing conditions and any visitor use-related issues.
- Assist staff and/or volunteers with stewardship-related tasks as needed.
- Collect cash donations from the iron ranger container and ensure proceeds are delivered to appropriate staff for deposit.
- Research and evaluate potential future community engagement activities (recreational, educational, stewardship related, community partnerships, citizen science, etc.) assessing the benefits and obstacles to the implementation of each.
- Draft a recreation and community use report at the end of the work-term.
- Other duties as assigned.
Contributions/Outcomes:
This position will help the Forest Society to develop a greater understanding of the recreation and community uses of its Monson Village Reservation. The intern will gain valuable experience in outdoor recreation management as s/he develops surveys and data collection methods; collects, compiles and analyzes visitor use data, and drafts a report for the season. This data and report summarizing visitor uses, demographics, and interests will be used to make decisions about future stewardship needs and community engagement at Monson Village. The intern will also research potential future community engagement activities, including community partnerships or events, stewardship and/or recreational opportunities, and educational programs, and assess their potential for successful implementation at Monson Village. Finally, this position will provide routine stewardship support at one of the Forest Society’s most popular forest reservations and provide visitors with information about the property and the organization.
Qualifications and Skills Required:
- Minimum of one year of college.
- Background in park management, outdoor recreation management, environmental education, natural resources, forestry, history, historic site management, or related field (either through formal education or prior work experience).
- Ability to confidently approach and communicate with visitors and members of the public while exhibiting a friendly and non-judgmental attitude.
- Interest in the conservation mission of the Forest Society
- Self-motivated, reliable, and able to work independently with minimal supervision. Exhibit good judgement and situational awareness.
- Access to reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and a cell phone.
Working Conditions:
- Ability to endure varying weather and environmental conditions (heat, rain, bugs)
- Flexible schedule and ability to work a variety of days (including some weekends and holidays) and times of day during the internship period.
- This is a nonexempt, part time (approximately 10-20 hours a week) temporary position with flexible start and end dates between May and October.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to walk up to several miles in a day on established trails and stand for extended periods.
Direct Reports: None