21st Century Conservation Fellow

Natural Lands; Media (Delaware County); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Living Expenses Stipend

Health & Welfare Benefits

Paid Holidays, including Floating

Job summary

Natural Lands offers a 12-month, full-time fellowship in land management and community outreach based in the Stewardship department, focusing on managing preserves and engaging with the public.

The program provides hands-on experience with restoration, monitoring conservation easements, and coordinating with internal teams; training is provided, including safety and tool use.

Qualifications

• Must have completed an undergraduate or graduate program within a year prior to the start of the fellowship.
• Able to work 37.5 hours per week with some weekend hours.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and a clean driving record.
• Successfully pass a background check.
• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds and walk on uneven terrain.

Responsibilities

• Manage the public use and natural resources of the preserves.
• Assist efforts to restore natural areas and monitor conservation easements.
• Make connections within the industry and the community to support mission delivery.
• Participate in Natural Lands' prescribed fire program after training.
• Receive hands-on training with tools and equipment used in stewardship work.

Skills

Outdoor work

Fieldwork

First Aid/CPR

Background checks

Education

Undergraduate or graduate degree within 12 months of start

Tools

Power string trimmers

Brush cutters

Hand pruners

Saws

Chainsaws

Lawnmower

Truck

Tractor

Job description

Brief Description

Fellowship Period: One Year Beginning January/February 2027 Natural Lands is a non-profit organization that saves open space, cares for nature, and connects people to the outdoors in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. We’ve been at it since the early 1950s and today more than five million people live within five miles of lands under our permanent protection.

Natural Lands has made a commitment to implementing strategies for the improvement of diversity in our leadership and staffing, visitor and member base, and priorities for mission delivery. Launched in 2022, the 21st Century Conservation Fellowship was established to support increased diversity in the fields of environmental land management and natural areas conservation. All applicants interested in bringing their varied lived and learned experiences to the organization are encouraged to apply.

This full-time, 12-month paid fellowship offers the selected applicant the opportunity to gain experience in land management and community outreach, become familiar with local flora and fauna, and learn the workings of a land trust.

The fellow will work with the Fellowship Coordinator and other staff to explore every aspect of Natural Lands’ mission – save open space, care for nature, and connect people to the outdoors… and each other. The fellow will be based out of our Stewardship department, managing the public use and natural resources of the preserves This includes managing the public use and natural resources of the preserve—assisting efforts to restore natural areas; monitoring of conservation easements; and making connections within the industry and the community. Fellows also have the opportunity to take part in Natural Lands' prescribed fire program following the necessary training. Tools used in the course of the work include power string trimmers, brush cutters, hand pruners and saws, chainsaws, lawnmower, truck, and tractor. Training on the use of these tools will be provided.

Preserve experience will be augmented by experiences with Natural Lands’ departments – Conservation, Finance, Human Resources, Communications and Engagement, and Development. The fellow will be invited to participate in all-staff meetings and trainings. In addition to the 21st Century Conservation Fellowship, Natural Lands hosts other interns at various preserves and provides opportunities to connect with these colleagues who are also new to the organization. This is a hands‑on position with training provided.

Additional Compensation Includes

• Living Expenses Stipend
• Health & Welfare Benefits
• Time Off Benefits
• Paid Holidays, including Floating Holiday(s)

Requirements

• Strong and demonstrated affinity for the environment and outdoor activities.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility efforts.
• Have graduated from an undergraduate or graduate program within a year prior to the start of the fellowship, preferred.
• Able to work 37.5 hours per week. Generally, this time falls during the traditional workweek; however, some weekend hours will be required.
• A valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and a clean driving record.
• Successfully pass a background check.
• Must be able to walk, stand, bend and squat on uneven terrain; must be able to lift and carry up to 40 pounds and push up to 50 pounds.
• Must be prepared to work outdoors under all conditions, including heat, cold, and with occasional exposure to poison ivy, biting and stinging insects, etc.
• First Aid and CPR certification is a plus.

Summary

We seek to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our organization stronger. We aim to build a workplacewhere employees feel empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. Natural Lands is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.All qualified applicantsreceive consideration for employment without regard to race, color,religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.