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.
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.
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 to:
Nancy Roeper, National Wilderness Coordinator National Wildlife Refuge System
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
[email protected]
Questions about the program should be directed to me ([email protected])
-Jessica
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Jessica Bolis
Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute
790 East Beckwith
Missoula, MT 59801
[email protected]
