Here is a great 6 month paid opportunity through US Fish & Wildlife for recent graduates or soon to be graduates. NOTE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 15TH.
Wilderness Fellow Position Overview
The Wilderness Program of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) is seeking qualified candidates to fill up to 8 Wilderness Fellow positions; 4 of these will be based at wildlife refuges in Alaska. Wilderness Fellows will work on refuges to directly support the goals of a collaborative wilderness character monitoring initiative currently underway in the NWRS.
Primary Wilderness Fellow Responsibilities
• Identify wilderness character measures for the refuge working with the staff.
• Implement inventory and monitoring strategies for tracking wilderness character.
• Participate in a training course, work closely with refuge staff, and participate in weekly
conference calls with Washington Office staff and other Wilderness Fellows.
Components
Training: Orientation and a 3-day wilderness training session in May, in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Experiential Opportunities: Wilderness Fellows work directly alongside refuge staff members and Regional Office staff, external scientists, and others involved in wilderness assessments. This is hands-on practical experience with wilderness assessment and monitoring and other refuge management activities.
Salary: Fellows will be paid $500/week.
Housing: Housing will be provided on-site by the host refuge.
Travel: All travel costs associated with the training will be paid, including round trip plane fare from the participant’s home to Fort Collins, and accommodation and meals during the training.
National Wildlife Refuge System Wilderness in Alaska.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Desired Skills & Educational Background
• Interest in wilderness/resource management and National Wildlife Refuges
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Research skill and attention to detail
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively on projects
• Understanding and ability to use GIS
• Education: Undergraduate degree minimum. Background in Wilderness Management,
Protected Area/Natural Resource Management, Recreation Resource Management,
Conservation Social Science, Environmental Policy, Natural, Biological, and/or Physical
Sciences.
Requirements & Time Commitment
• U.S. Citizen and willingness to undergo a required criminal history background check.
• Six month fellowships starting approximately May 13, 2013, with training in Colorado
Travel/Transportation
We strongly recommend that Wilderness Fellows bring a personal vehicle to their assigned refuges in case a FWS vehicle at the refuge is not available, and experience has shown that isolated conditions at a refuge may result in a negative experience for Fellows without personal transportation. We will reimburse documented travel expenses to the assigned refuges.
Application Process
A 1-page cover letter, 1-page resume (2 sides), and 3 professional references must be submitted by March 15, 2013. Please submit materials as a single file (preferably PDF), with applicant “last name, first name” as file name. Please direct application submissions and/or questions to:
Nancy Roeper, National Wilderness Coordinator
National Wildlife Refuge System
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Nancy_roeper@fws.gov