Schaefer Research Internship

Join the Mohonk Preserve Team!

2026 Schaefer Research Internship: Full-time; Summer

Who We Are

Located in the beautiful Hudson River Valley, Mohonk Preserve, “Home of the Gunks,” is New York’s largest nonprofit nature preserve. We manage over 8,200 acres of mountain cliffs, forests, fields and streams through four integrated programs – Conservation, Education, Stewardship, and Visitor Experience – and welcome over 300,000 members and visitors each year who come to hike, run, rock climb, boulder, bike, enjoy winter recreation and experience nature.

Based in a vibrant university community, Mohonk Preserve offers a great working environment in one of New York’s greenest counties, with all-season recreation, access to Preserve lands, a dynamic, committed team of conservation professionals and long legacy of conducting ecological research and environmental education. The Preserve is also the home of one of America’s premier rock-climbing destinations.

Our Mission & Vision

Our mission is to protect the northern Shawangunk Ridge and inspire people to care for, enjoy, and explore the natural world. Mohonk Preserve supports thriving and resilient natural environments that are welcoming to all who explore, play and work here, and those who seek peace, wellbeing and inspiration amid its lands. To read more about our Vision and learn more about the Preserve visit https://www.mohonkpreserve.org/.

Our Core Values

• Teamwork:  We trust each other and value collaboration and accountability.
• Transparency:  We are clear, honest and ethical in our decision-making and communications.
• Belonging:  We welcome everyone and treat all with respect and compassion.
• Exploration:  We value curiosity, education and innovation as pathways to learning and growth.
• Stewardship:  We are committed to responsibly stewarding Mohonk Preserve in service to the land and the community.

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.

How to Apply:

Applications accepted via e-mail only. Email the following as a single PDF by Thursday, February 5, 2026 to research@mohonkpreserve.org:

1. A cover letter that clearly states your reasons for pursuing this internship and what you hope to gain toward achieving your career goals
2. Your current resume
3. Your current transcript (unofficial is OK)

• Include the applicant’s last name in the file name of your application.
• Include “Schaefer Research Internship” in the subject line of your email.
• Arrange to have two letters of recommendation emailed to research@mohonkpreserve.org by the application deadline.
• Only on-time, complete applications, which includes reference letters, will be considered.

The anticipated start date of this position is late May or early June 2026.

No phone calls please

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Mohonk Preserve is an equal employment opportunity employer dedicated to creating a culture where employees from various backgrounds can thrive and support our mission. Mohonk Preserve encourages applications from women, minorities and/or other underrepresented groups. We provide reasonable accommodations to individuals who require them based on disability, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, and religion. Accommodations are meant to enable employees to perform the essential functions of their positions without imposing an undue hardship on our operations. If you require an accommodation, please contact Human Resources.

This job announcement is not intended to represent a complete, comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities that may be required in this position.  There may be unplanned activities and other duties assigned.

Jobs, Fellowships, and Internships - Mohonk Preserve