For more information, please follow this link: https://www.conservationjobboard.com/job-listing-nps-rivers-trails-and-conservation-assistance-fellowship-seattle-washington/1855119302?utm_source=ongage&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=regular

Salary– $600.00 Weekly Living Stipend + AmeriCorps Education Award of $6,345.00 and will eligible for Public Land Corps Hiring Authority after successful completion of term.

NPS Rivers Trails and Conservation Assistance Fellowship Overview:

The Fellow will serve communities, primarily in Washington, Oregon and Idaho, by facilitating community-led natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation projects that connect diverse populations with close-to-home nature and the outdoors. The goals of the Fellowship will include increased miles of trails, acres of conserved land, and associated improved public access as well as developing avenues for new relationships with indigenous and under-engaged communities.

The Fellow will join a team of 10 permanent RTCA staff serving eight western states and three Pacific Ocean territories. The Fellow will be invaluable in adding to our capacity to serve over 40 current projects while supporting our efforts to engage new audiences and scope future projects to address environmental equity and justice initiatives throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Essential functions and responsibilities:

The NPS RTCA Fellow will work to complete tasks and projects outlined below.

1) Support interpretive planning efforts for projects with Tribal partners

  • Identify interpretive themes and work with partners to determine interpretive objectives and priorities
  • Contact/research community story tellers for identified stories
  • Contact/research images for use on interpretive panels
  • Support development of interpretive wayside plan: meetings, partner coordination, file management
  • Story mapping the draft wayside panels, opportunity to include more stories
  • Develop prototypes of wayfinding and other signage

2) Support continued efforts to to link RTCA conservation and outdoor recreation efforts with communities in CDC-identified high vulnerability areas

  • Research and document community profiles for identified communities in the Pacific Northwest , to include community description, socioeconomic context and planning and outreach opportunities
  • Outreach to community groups and local government agencies to establish contact and present information about the technical assistance program
  • Gather project ideas from potential and current partner/s, stakeholders and the public (survey, workshops, design charrettes)
  • Seek indigenous food system communities/groups/organizations operating in WA, ID and OR for potential future partnerships
  • Seek safe routes to schools communities/groups/organizations operating in WA, ID and OR for potential future partnerships

3) Conduct inventories and analyses of relevant information related to trail planning, and open space/ natural resource management planning.

  • Work with supervisor, other RTCA staff, and project partners to identify information sources, local knowledge and stakeholders
  • Conduct site visits to collect information about the project site and surrounding areas
  • Identify key issues related to the overall project goals
  • Synthesize findings of inventories and analyses

4) Develop planning frameworks, including community engagement strategies, vision/goal/objective statements, and concept and action planning.

  • Work with supervisor, other RTCA staff, and project partner to develop and implement stakeholder and community engagement strategies
  • Based on stakeholder and public input and results of inventories and analyses, write vision, goal, and objective statements that will help guide the development of project recommendations

5) Craft project recommendations that address the key issues and opportunities identified by the project partner/s and stakeholders/public, support the vision/goals/objectives and guide implementation.

  • Gather project ideas from partner/s, stakeholders and the public (survey, workshops, design charrettes)
  • Formulate project recommendations that meet the project vision and goals and reflect stakeholder/community desires and values
  • Communicate project recommendations in text, graphics and verbally as part of a report/planning document that can be used by project partners to move towards project implementation

Required Skills

  • Analytical and critical thinking skills
  • Ability to work effectively with a variety of people
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Strong oral and written communications skills
  • Possession of a current valid driver’s license
  • Must be 21 years or older
  • Must be a US Citizen, National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the United States. Fellows must undergo a government background check if selected.

Required Experience

Open to a variety of Bachelors (completed) or Masters (in progress) degrees with a strong background in community engagement, partnership development, team building and problem solving skills.

Some of the skills, education, training, and interests being sought include:

  • Land Use and Urban Planning
  • Interpretation
  • Project Management
  • Journalism
  • Graphic Design
  • Landscape Architecture
  • Graphic Information Systems
  • Public Relations
  • Sociology