Wilderness Fellow Position Summary The National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) and National Park Service (NPS) are seeking qualified candidates to fill up to 8 Wilderness Fellow positions around the U.S., where 6 Wilderness Fellows will work with the NWRS, and 2 will work with the NPS. Wilderness Fellows will work on refuges and parks to directly support the goals of an interagency wilderness character monitoring initiative currently underway in the National Wilderness Preservation System. Wilderness Fellow Responsibilities include: - Identify wilderness character measures for the refuge or park by working with local staff. - Implement inventory and monitoring strategies for monitoring wilderness character. - Participate in a training course, work closely with refuge or park staff, and participate in weekly conference calls with Washington Office staff and other Wilderness Fellows.
Fellowship includes: - Training: Orientation and a 3-day wilderness training session in May, in Fort Collins, Colorado. - Salary: Fellows will be paid $500/week. - Housing: Housing will be provided on-site by the host refuge or park. - Travel: All travel costs associated with the training will be paid, including round trip plane fare from the participants home to Fort Collins, and accommodation and meals during the training. - Experiential Opportunities: Wilderness Fellows work alongside refuge or park staff members, Regional Office staff, external scientists, and others involved in wilderness assessments. This is a hands-on practical experience with wilderness assessment and monitoring, and other refuge or park management activities. Desired Skills & Educational Background: - Interest in wilderness/resource management, and in National Wildlife Refuges and National Parks - 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 19, 2014, with the training in Colorado Travel/Transportation information: We strongly recommend that Wilderness Fellows bring a personal vehicle to their assigned refuge or park, as experience has shown that isolated conditions of refuges and parks may result in a negative experience for Fellows without personal transportation. We will reimburse documented travel expenses to the assigned refuges or parks. Application Process: A 1-page cover letter, 1-page resume (2 sides), and 3 professional references must be submitted by March 17,2014. Please submit materials as a single file (preferably PDF), with applicant last name, first name as the filename. Please direct application submissions and/or questions to: Nancy Roeper, National Wilderness Coordinator National Wildlife Refuge System U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [email protected]
