Nahant Marsh Education Center

POSITION TITLE: Animal Care Assistant

HOURS OF POSITION: 12:30-3:30 pm on Tuesdays

STATUS: Year-round

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY: This volunteer position assists the Animal Caretaker, Maddie, with feeding the animal ambassadors (snakes, turtles, and frogs), cleaning enclosures, and providing enrichment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Prepare animal meals (e.g., chopping, blending, sorting food)
• Clean animal enclosures and decor
• Transfer animals from enclosures to feeding spaces
• Provide animal enrichment (e.g., hold or walk animals)
• Clean feeding equipment

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES: 

• Not afraid of snakes, turtles, frogs, worms, or mice
• Ability to wash dishes, prepare food, and clean materials

GENERAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES: 

• Moderate work, approximately 95% time indoors, depending on the season
• Constant (67-100%) walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing and pulling
• Constant (67-100%) reaching, standing, grasping, finger dexterity
• Ability to lift and carry 10-20 pounds frequently (34-66%)

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Completion of the Volunteer Orientation video
• Pass a criminal background check

POSITION TITLE: Bird Counter

HOURS OF POSITION: Approximately 2 hours, starting at sunrise, on Saturdays

STATUS: Year-round

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY: This volunteer position is responsible for surveying and recording the number of individuals and species of birds at set locations around Nahant Marsh. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Spend 10 minutes each at 5 sites recording the number of individuals of each species observed

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES: 

• Knowledge of local bird species
• Ability to correctly identify local bird species
• Ability to access survey sites and record observations

GENERAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES: 

• Light to moderate work, 100% time outdoors
• Constant (67-100%) walking, writing, finger dexterity

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Completion of the Volunteer Orientation video
• At least one Bird Count session with an experienced Bird Counter
• Pass a criminal background check

POSITION TITLE: Committee Member 

HOURS OF POSITION: Time commitment varies

STATUS: Year-round

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY: This volunteer position serves on a committee for an event, marketing, operations, and/or fundraising for the Marsh. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Regularly attend committee meetings
• Contribute to the committee’s goal
• Assist in executing the committee’s goal or event

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES: 

• Belief in Nahant Marsh’s mission and a healthy appreciation for the outdoors
• Flexibility in schedules to attend meetings
• Knowledge of or interest in the committee content (i.e. marketing, event planning, programming, architecture, etc.)

GENERAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES: 

• Physical activity may vary with each committee.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Completion of the Volunteer Orientation video
• Pass a criminal background check

POSITION TITLE: Construction Volunteer

HOURS OF POSITION: Time varies on project

STATUS: Year-round

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY: A volunteer in this position assists in designing and building structures for both indoor and outdoor uses. Construction projects may include animal enclosures, storage cabinets, nesting structures, benches, platforms, etc.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Design and build structures to fit Nahant’s needs
• Work with Nahant Marsh staff to determine dimensions, materials, etc.
• Respect for and adherence to safety protocols

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES: 

• Construction and carpentry knowledge
• Experience with power and hand tools
• Ability to communicate effectively

GENERAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES: 

• Moderate, physical work
• Frequent (34-66%) walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing and pulling 
• Constant (67-100%) reaching, standing, grasping, finger dexterity
• Ability to lift and carry 20 pounds frequently (34-66%)

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Completion of the Volunteer Orientation video
• Pass a criminal background check
• Construction and carpentry experience

POSITION TITLE: Docent

HOURS OF POSITION: 9am to 12pm on Saturdays

STATUS: Year-round

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY: This volunteer position is responsible for greeting visitors, staffing the building, and keeping the education center looking beautiful. Docents may also be asked to help with other projects on occasion. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Greet and interact with visitors
• Provide information about the Marsh and upcoming programs to visitors
• Sell merchandise
• Clean/tidy the Education Center
• Assist with program preparation tasks and other docent projects

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES: 

• Belief in Nahant Marsh’s mission and a healthy appreciation for the outdoors
• Ability to engage visitors with a friendly and enthusiastic attitude
• Familiarity with Nahant Marsh programs, services, history, and opportunities

GENERAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES: 

• Sedentary to moderate work, approximately 90% time indoors
• Frequent (34-66%) walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing and pulling
• Frequent (34-66%) reaching, standing, grasping, finger dexterity
• Constant (67-100%) talking and listening to people in person or over the telephone
• Ability to lift and carry 20 pounds occasionally (10-33%)

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Completion of the Volunteer Orientation video
• Completion of Docent Training with the Volunteer Coordinator
  • Includes two docent sessions with a mentoring docent
• Pass a criminal background check

POSITION TITLE: Education Program/Summer Camp Assistant

HOURS OF POSITION: Between 8am-5pm on weekdays

STATUS: Spring through fall

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY: This volunteer position assists Nahant Marsh staff to provide 

program activities and manage students.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Help setup programs and activities
• Assist in facilitating crafts, games, and activities

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES: 

• Support for Nahant Marsh’s mission and a healthy appreciation for the outdoors
• Ability to engage with children in a patient, kind, and positive manner
• Enjoys the company of children
• Ability to perform a variety of tasks outside in various weather conditions

GENERAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES: 

• Moderate work, approximately 75% time indoors
• Constant (67-100%) walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing and pulling
• Frequent (34-66%) reaching, standing, grasping, finger dexterity
• Ability to lift and carry 10 pounds occasionally (10-33%)

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Completion of the Volunteer Orientation video
• Pass a criminal background check
• Preferred experience with children

POSITION TITLE: Natural Resource Volunteer

HOURS OF POSITION: Time varies based on project/task

STATUS: Year-round, with majority of opportunities during spring through fall

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY: This volunteer position aids in restoration efforts, which may include trash pickup, invasive species removal, trail maintenance, gardening/beautification, seed harvesting, etc.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: (not an exhaustive list)

• Pickup trash around the Marsh properties
• Remove invasive species using various tools (e.g., shovels, trowels, loppers)
• Apply mulch to trails
• Remove debris from trails
• Weed flower beds around the building
• Collect, harvest, and sort seeds from native plants
• Plant trees, shrubs, and other native plants

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES: 

• Belief in Nahant Marsh’s mission and a healthy appreciation for the outdoors
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn natural resource management practices
• Ability to work outside in a variety of environments and weather conditions
• Respect for and adherence to safety protocols
• Ability to identify native plants/ willingness to learn

GENERAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES: 

• Moderate to heavy-duty work, most time spent outdoors
• Constant (67-100%) walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing and pulling
• Constant (67-100%) reaching, standing, grasping, finger dexterity
• Ability to lift and carry 20 pounds frequently (34-66%)

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Completion of the Volunteer Orientation video
• Pass a criminal background check

POSITION TITLE: Special Events Volunteer

HOURS OF POSITION: Time varies based on event

STATUS: Year-round

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY: This volunteer position helps at special events hosted by Nahant Marsh, such as the Valentine’s Day Lantern Hike, Oberholtzer Awards, Spring Celebration, Monarch Release Party, and Movies at the Marsh.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Help setup activities, decor, etc
• Staff event stations, such as check-in, plant giveaways, bake sales, crafts, and more.
• Provide information about the event and Nahant Marsh
• Help cleanup the event

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES: 

• Belief in Nahant Marsh’s mission and a healthy appreciation for the outdoors
• Ability to positively engage with the public
• Ability to perform a variety of tasks outside in various weather conditions

GENERAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES: 

• Moderate work, time indoors varies with events
• Frequent (34-66%) walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing and pulling
• Frequent (34-66%) reaching, standing, grasping, finger dexterity
• Ability to lift and carry 10 pounds occasionally (10-33%)

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Completion of the Volunteer Orientation video
• Pass of a criminal background check