Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge

Join us as a Volunteer, Friend, or Seasonal Intern! 

Whether you want to further conservation, learn more about nature, or share your love of the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. National Wildlife Refuges provide many opportunities for you to help your community and support wildlife conservation by doing what you love. 

Internships

The refuge typically has a variety of field work internship opportunities each year, starting in late spring and going through the summer. These positions range from shorebird monitoring and invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species work to interpretation and education. Announcements will be posted on this website and on popular job boards during the winter of each year. Internships are a great way to experience what it is like to work on public lands and make a contribution to natural resource conservation. 

CURRENT INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

• Biological Support Member (Shorebirds) 

Start Date: April 2026  |  End Date: September 2026  |  (22 week commitment required)

Position Overview: During this term, the ACE member will contribute to management of nesting piping plovers. The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff to:

- Spend 85% of the time focused on inventory, monitoring, and management of nesting piping plovers, common terns, roseate terns, least terns, and American oystercatchers (with an emphasis on plovers ) including- monitoring productivity through repeated nest visits, chick banding, and visual observations; lethal predator management including gull nest destruction; posting areas closed to public use

- Spend the other 15% on helping with all other biological work possibly including horseshoe crab surveys, wading bird surveys, seal surveys, invasive species mapping and control, interacting with the public, entering data, maintaining facilities, and conducting routine office work. These positions require living on a remote island, in either a lighthouse keepers house (no running water but solar run electricity) or a field camp (no electricity or running water).

Learn more and apply here! 

• Visitor Services, Education, and Outreach Member - Eastern Mass NWRC and Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Monument

Start Date: April/May 2026  |  End Date: Feb/March 2027  |  (42-week minimum commitment required) 

Position overview: The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. This position will help FWS realize that mission at Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex and Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. During this term, the ACE member will contribute to the Visitor Services and Education and Outreach programs. The member will provide support and assistance with the guidance and direction of FWS staff to: 

- Provide staffing of the Refuge visitor center in Chatham, Massachusetts, communicating directly with the public on general refuge/Monument information, activities, and events.

- Assist in the recruitment and selection of volunteers for maintenance, outreach and community engagement and for the Outreach component of projects (i.e., creating educational material and social media platforms). 

- Assist in the planning and coordination of education, outreach, and community events.

- Work with Monument Superintendent and partners to learn and incorporate the Monument Education and Outreach curriculum into refuge events and activities.

Learn more and apply here!