Careers
Assistant Director of Engagement
The Office of the Duke Forest (ODF) is hiring an Assistant Director of Engagement (AD-E) to provide leadership on development and communications. To successfully do so, the AD-E:
- Develops a nuanced understanding and appreciation of the mission, management, and strategy of the Duke Forest and the universe of audiences engaged across it.
- Embodies a warm and welcoming approach to engaging with and developing meaningful connections to donor and pipeline audiences in a variety of settings.
- Collaborates with members of the Duke Forest team and with colleagues across relevant departments at Duke, forming and maintaining trustworthy and productive relationships.
The AD-E reports directly to the Executive Director (ED) and works closely with the ED, the Forest Supervisor, and the AD of Teaching & Research, as well as other programmatic, administrative, and field staff. The AD-E applies a keen awareness and appreciation of the roles the Duke Forest plays while shaping and implementing relevant strategies for development and communications. The AD-E has budgetary responsibilities for engagement activities and may supervise staff working on engagement programs.
Overall, the successful AD-E is a development and communications professional with demonstrated experience working in higher education or on behalf of a multiple-use natural resource. The AD-E expresses a sincere commitment to the Duke Forest mission and demonstrates enthusiasm for working within the dynamic, collaborative, and supportive Duke Forest team structure.
To read the complete position description, Click Here.
To apply, submit your cover letter and resume via the Duke Careers website:
Application review begins on 4/29/24.
Internships & Assistantships
Summer Internship
WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2023-2024 POSITION
Duke Forest summer interns are exposed to all aspects of managing a multi-use forest. Summer interns work closely with the Forest Supervisor, Technician, and Maintenance and Infrastructure Manager and may be assigned special projects, depending on current needs. Otherwise, typical duties include:
- Assisting in forest management activities such as timber sales, invasive species control, continuous forest inventory sampling; and boundary line maintenance.
- Assisting in recreation management activities such as trail maintenance, blazing, and trimming.
- Assisting in operations such as road maintenance, vehicle maintenance, and research project set-up and tear-down.
- Assisting with infrastructure maintenance and improvements, including painting forest gates, cleaning forest signs, and maintaining picnic shelters.
- Assisting with ongoing projects or annual events such as monitoring Natural Heritage and High Conservation Value areas and facilitating the ongoing “Good Leashes Make Good Neighbors’ campaign.
- Assisting with communications, outreach, and engagement including but not limited to supporting work on the Duke Forest Facebook page and offering tours and volunteer events.
- Maintaining and improving infrastructure, including forest gates, signs, and picnic shelters
This is a 13-week paid summer internship supported by the Bruce and Ginny Roberts Duke Forest Internship Fund and Toney Lumber Company of Louisburg. Exact start and end dates are negotiable.
We are no longer accepting applications for internships at this time.
Student Assistantships
During the academic year, graduate students awarded an assistantship from Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment may work with Forest Staff on a variety of projects related to forest management, including:
| Natural area monitoring | Education and outreach |
| Road and trail maintenance | Timber inventory and harvest prep |
| Gate and sign improvement | Boundary line marking |
| Data and records organization | GPS data collection |
| GIS data entry | Data analysis |
| Communications / PR | Recreation management |
Some perspectives from our students:
| My time spent working in the Duke Forest this year was truly invaluable. I’ve always found nature to be somewhat of an escape from tiresome or stressful days. Having the opportunity to work in the forest every week helped me stay on track with my studies not only by providing the mental healing I needed but also because it reminded me why I am here pursuing a graduate degree in Environmental Management. – Kelly Horvath |
| The forest’s proximity and ease of accessibility has enriched the coursework available at the Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment, with clear examples of active forest management for wildlife conservation and timber harvesting. The Duke Forest acts as a resource to provide examples of the theory learned in class, with the added bonus of fresh air and outdoor atmosphere. – Emily Leung |
| I truly believe that Duke Forest is the most valuable asset the Duke Forestry program has, and that not only includes the physical forest, but the staff that goes out of their way on a daily basis to better our (students) experiences, whether that be academically, through professional development, or simply building meaningful personal relationships. – Matt Brantley |