Remote

Position Title: Conservation Connect Fellowship Program with Practicum 

Organization: National Forest Foundation (NFF)

Location: Remote

Organization Overview: Chartered by Congress, the National Forest Foundation was created with a simple mission: bring people together to restore and enhance National Forests and Grasslands. The National Forest Foundation is the leading organization inspiring personal and meaningful connections to National Forests. Working on behalf of the American public, the NFF leads forest conservation efforts and promotes responsible recreation. NFF believes these lands, and all they provide, are an American treasure and are vital to the health of communities.

Position Overview: Each year the NFF hosts a small group of exceptional graduate students pursuing advanced studies in conservation, natural resources management, and related fields. The goal of the Conservation Connect Fellowship Program is to build experience, knowledge, and skills within the next generation of collaborative and conservation leaders. The NFF invites master’s and doctoral students to apply to the Conservation Connect Fellowship Program. 

Fellowships pair the knowledge acquired through academic work with practical, hands-on experience and contribute directly to collaborative stewardship of National Forests. Fellowships include a summer 2024 or academic year 2024-2025 practicum, or some combination of the two, and may be at a specific location or virtual depending on the project.

Duties: 

• Practicum: The NFF will interview candidates and strive to match selected fellows with one of their preferred projects, as indicated in the application. Practicum work will take place over the summer and/or the academic year, with specific dates to be determined individually. The summer practicum schedule will require the fellow to complete their 245 hours over eight to ten weeks during the summer of 2024. The academic year practicum is the same number of hours spread over a longer timeframe. As part of their practicum, fellows may spend a portion of their time (up to 20%) performing tasks associated with nonprofit administration, such as meeting agenda development, notetaking, or organizational support.
• Professional Development and Networking (estimated 55 hours)
  • Conservation Connect Advisory Council Meetings: Each fellow will have an opportunity to participate in meetings of the Conservation Connect Advisory Council, composed of leading thinkers in the field of natural resources collaboration. 
  • Fellows Retreat: The NFF will host a paid, in-person retreat June 3-7, 2024, near Big Fork, Montana. The retreat will provide an orientation to a variety of topics, including collaboration, best practices for neutral facilitation, NFF’s approach to engaging community interests, working with the Forest Service, and more. This is also an opportunity for fellows to get to know one another, meet NFF staff and partners, and participate in a field trip. 
  • Peer Networking and Trainings: Fellows are asked to participate in monthly virtual meetings where the NFF offers trainings and supports fellows as a group to discuss issues that arise, share accomplishments, and solicit feedback from both their peers and NFF. 

Qualifications: Graduate students pursuing a master’s degree or doctorate are eligible for the Conservation Connect Fellowship; and will have taken coursework related to the study of natural resources, conflict resolution, collaboration, non-profit management, communications, or other field related to the specific practicum. Fellows must be enrolled in a graduate program during the 2024-25 academic year.

Pay: $20/hour for up to 300 hours over the one-year fellowship.  

How to Apply: Please use the online application for more information as well as how to apply.