Missoula, MT

Position Title: Conservation Connect Fellowship

Organization: National Forest Foundation

Location: Missoula, MT

Position Overview: We are looking for students with a collaborative mindset who are enthusiastic about working with diverse staff and partners to make a meaningful contribution to our work. Applicants should have an academic background and/or interest in public lands conservation, excellent written and verbal communication skills, experience managing projects and timelines, and the ability to commit to the necessary project hours. Each practicum requires a specific skill set, as outlined in the 2025 project descriptions. Successful fellows come from a variety of academic programs, including natural resources management, conflict resolution, forestry, communications, journalism, non-profit management, law, business, and more. Please note that this is not a research fellowship. The NFF will match each fellow with a mentor from the NFF who functions as the practicum supervisor. Fellows and mentors will schedule regular meetings to talk through questions and ideas as they connect their practicum work to the theories and methods they are studying in their graduate programs.

Components & Requirements:

Practicum (at least 245 hours)

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 8-10 weeks during the summer of 2025. 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. Please click here to see a list of all 2025 practicum projects.

Professional Development and Networking (estimated 55 hours)

• Fellows Retreat: The NFF will host a paid, in-person retreat June 8-12, 2025, near North Bend, Washington. 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.
• All-Staff Opportunities: Fellows are invited and encouraged to attend NFF trainings and events, such as those hosted by the NFF’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Shared Learning working group. Previous opportunities have included guest lectures by Dr. Cristina Eisenberg and Dr. Brinda Sarathy as well as workshops from Seventh Sovereign.

Eligibility: Graduate students pursuing a master’s degree or doctorate are eligible for the Conservation Connect Fellowship. We anticipate students 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 2025-26 academic year.

Start/End Dates: May 2025 (day TBD), April 30, 2026

Salary/Pay: $20/hour for up to 300 hours

Application Deadline: Feb 2, 2025

How to Apply: Please use the online application to view the full job description as well as how to apply.