I applied online and first got a phone interview, which was very positive. The manager immediately brought up salary, probably because it was so low. When I said I was still interested - because I wante to work for this company - she scheduled an in-person interview, with a team of two managers.
When the manager saw me in person, her face actually changed, from welcoming to a forced smile. (She was not expecting someone older, I guess.)
Although the Visitor Center at the Harlem Meers had an elevator she had us go up a flight of stairs, probably to make sure I had the physical stamina to do so.
Weirdly, the place I would have been working was on the ground floor.
When I sat down for the interview, instead of focusing on my skills and qualifications for the job, the main manager kept saying how "rustic" the location would be, and how would I be able to get from one location to another in the winter. SHe also asked me how I would be able to lift items. I said I would either use leverage, take a couple of trips or ask for help.
At the end of the interview, still with a fixed smile, she dismissed me.
I was not offered the job, although I was more than qualified for the position.
I have never in my job hunting experienced such a thinly veiled instance of ageism. The Conservancy should be ashamed.