Gain Professional Experience You’ll Never Forget
With sponsorship from the Olson Family, Sessel Family, and the Brown Family Foundation, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy facilitates several annually sponsored educational fellowships. All fellowships include housing, a stipend and the unforgettable experience of working in a premier national park.
About the Fellowships
The Rocky Mountain Conservancy seeks fellows of exceptional ability for three fellowships in Rocky Mountain National Park. In 2006, the Olson family of Boulder, Colorado, began funding this fellowship to enable students and recent graduates to serve in a national park while exploring career options in environmental education and the nonprofit sectors. In 2013, another family trust, the Bailey Family Trust, began providing funds for a second fellow to assist the Field Institute program during the summer/fall term. The Brown Family Foundation and Sessel Family also recently joined the team, sponsoring education fellowships for aspiring, talented fellows.
Each year, with support from the Olson, Brown, Sessel and Bailey families, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy and Rocky Mountain National Park provide research and education fellowships for individuals of exceptional ability to provide educational support and programming in Rocky Mountain National Park. Education fellowships are designed to encourage highly qualified post-college and graduate level students to apply their passions, talents of teaching and program development in the national parks.
Our education fellowships are designed to provide graduate fellows with an on-the-job learning experience and the opportunity to explore career options in environmental education and the nonprofit sectors. Students develop knowledge of the Conservancy and how it works with its partners, Rocky Mountain National Park and other public land agencies. Students also develop knowledge of the natural and cultural history of Rocky Mountain National Park, public-land partnerships, career options in nonprofit and government agencies, and the nonprofit business model. Best practices in environmental education are examined, and fellows leave the program with a portfolio that reflects their ability to plan and implement educational programs, develop marketing materials, and communicate with constituents.
Fellows are selected through a robust recruitment process, with emphasis on diversity recruitment. Fellows are considered an employee of the Rocky Mountain Conservancy and assist on a 40-hour work week. All fellows are provided a living allowance plus housing near the park. This is a unique, entry-level position with the nonprofit Rocky Mountain Conservancy and the National Park Service.
| Fellowship Terms | Fall: June-December Spring: March-August |
| Available Positions | One Spring Fellow Two Fall Fellows |
| Applications Deadline | We accept applications year-round. |
Qualifications
It is recommended that the candidate be actively pursuing or have already completed a degree program in environmental education, interpretation, education, general education or natural resources. In addition, experience volunteering or working with nonprofit organizations and an interest in public relations and/or marketing is desired.
Living Allowance
$400/week ($800/biweekly) living allowance plus housing near Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP).
Schedule
The education fellows assist on a 40-hour week, with time occasionally divided between RMNP and the Rocky Mountain Conservancy. The fellowship schedule with both organizations is somewhat flexible and depends upon projects and program reservations by visiting groups.
Required Skills
- Dedication to child-centered education with the ability to lead adult audiences
- Demonstrated ability to think and act creatively
- Adept communication skills —both speaking and writing – for diverse audiences and using various mediums required
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to organize ideas and information
- Demonstrated ability to be responsible, flexible and independent with assignments and duties
- Computer experience with Power Point and desktop publishing preferred
- Enthusiasm, a warm disposition, and the ability to handle the stresses of children and young people in stride
Responsibilities
- Develop and lead winter interactive youth and school group nature activities and programs
- Assist with program development, planning and implementation for the Field Institute program
- Complete projects that may include advertising, basic marketing, graphic design and/or custom program requests
- Teach nature-based programs to diverse audiences (e.g., K-12 students, youth/adult outreach groups)
- Schedule and present informational programs about educational opportunities at RMNP
- Assist in leading teacher education workshops
- Draft press releases and feature articles
- Drive and or ride in a government-owned vehicle, as well as an Field Institute-owned bus/van
If completing the fellowship as an internship for a degree program, the candidate will work with RMNP and the Rocky Mountain Conservancy supervisors and an academic advisor to construct and meet all identified goals.