Washington, D.C., or Dillon, CO

Job Title: Ruckelshaus Fellowship Program

Organization: Meridian Institute

Meridian Institute is a mission-driven, non-profit organization that has helped our clients and partners develop and implement solutions to complicated, often controversial problems—big and small, global and local—on issues of climate change, food systems, forests, water, science and technology, and more. Meridian Institute designs, manages, and facilitates collaborative processes that bring people together who understand the issues and have a stake in their resolution. 

Overview: The Ruckelshaus Fellowship is an opportunity for early-career professionals to contribute to Meridian’s mission—to play hands on roles in helping people collaborate to solve complex problems and implement solutions that improve lives, the environment, and the economy. While each fellowship experience is unique, past Fellows have worked on issues as diverse as climate policy, global and domestic food security, water management, data for social good, and global resilience, among others. The Fellowship is a two-year, full-time position with Meridian, and applicants who are selected will begin work in June 2021.

Duties: The Fellowship will begin by June 2021 and is a two-year position, contingent upon performance and needs of the organization. Meridian hires Fellows for the position of Project Assistant to support projects on a variety of substantive topic areas. Past Fellows have been involved in work with global and domestic agriculture and food security, climate change, water management, and community and global resilience, among other topics. The Meridian Fellowship offers opportunities for personal and professional development. By working in an active, exciting, and dynamic professional environment, Meridian Fellows can expect to:

• Develop the ability to think critically about complex issues and analyze participant interests and process dynamics.
• Help identify and learn to respond appropriately to concerns and problems that can arise in complex and challenging collaborative processes.
• Actively manage numerous tasks toward the completion of a project.
• Improve writing, research, and communication skills.
• Work under the guidance of experienced facilitators and mediators.

Meridian Fellows gain these skills through a combination of the projects they support and targeted professional development activities. Fellows may work on a variety of different projects o support one or two larger projects throughout their fellowship. The fellowship also includes formal growth opportunities such as annual Fellowship retreats, informal mentoring from peers and supervisors, networking opportunities, alumni network, and organizational resources to help Fellows refine their career goals. Periodic reviews of the Fellow’s performance and professional goals will help ensure they are getting opportunities to grow. Fellows are encouraged to explore a variety of post-Fellowship career choices, including graduate school and employment with other organizations.

Anticipated Dates: Applicants who are selected will begin work in June 2021.

How to apply:  The deadline to submit applications is 10 pm EST, Monday, February 1, 2021. Please apply through the Meridian Institute Applicant Portal.