Student Opportunities

No matter what your interest, there may be an opportunity awaiting you this school year or summer in Hopkins Memorial Forest.

Academic Year Positions

Property Caretakers

Help take care of the Hopkins Memorial Forest’s 2600 acre reserve through various duties, including gardening, trail maintenance, woodlot management, vegetation control, grounds-keeping, curatorial duties, educational programming, equipment maintenance and more. Shifts run from 1-4pm most weekday afternoons, although there is some flexibility with hours within that time. Applications are currently being accepted for spring semester caretaker positions. Please check out the Caretaker Job Description – Spring 2025 for more information. Applications will be accepted until January 31, 2025.

Educators

Work with the Hopkins Memorial Forest Manager (Elise Leduc-Fleming) to develop field trip curricula and host field trips for area elementary schools. Students may also support Elise in facilitating additional education opportunities utilizing Hopkins Forest’s natural and historical resources. All Williams students will be fully trained and no science background is needed. 2-5 hours a week, generally Thursday and Friday mornings. Contact the Forest  Manager for more information or apply using the link below.

Details & Application

Summer Positions

Preference in selection will be given to Williams College students. Anyone interested in pursuing his/her own (self-funded) project is encouraged to contact the Forest Manager.

Caretaker Interns

The Summer HMF caretaker application is now open! Hopkins Forest Caretakers have a wide range of duties including gardening, trail maintenance, woodlot management, vegetation control, grounds-keeping, curatorial duties, educational programming, equipment maintenance and more. This is an 8 to 10 week, full time position. On-campus housing is available (for 8 weeks only). If interested, please complete this online application, or contact the Forest Manager for more information. Click here for an informational flyer. Applications are due no later than March 21, 2025, but applications will be reviewed in the order in which they are received, with preference given to earlier applications.

Students in RiverEnvironmental Analysis Lab Assistants

Work on the Forest’s Environmental and Climatological monitoring program–from the field to the lab. Collect data, analyze samples in the lab, and maintain instruments and databases. Questions? Contact Lab Supervisor Jay Racela.  You can apply using the link below.

Details & Application

Research Positions

Undergraduates at Williams have undertaken numerous research projects, including honors thesis research, on a variety of topics over the past thirty years. Other opportunities for undergraduates include research assistantships, independent studies, Winter Study projects. Although funded positions are generally reserved for Williams College students, consideration would be given to individuals from other areas where feasible. Contact the Forest Manager for more information.