Educational Fellowships

Gain Professional Experience You’ll Never Forget

With support from our dedicated sponsors, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy facilitates several educational fellowships for youth interested in nonprofit and environmental education careers. Click here to download our info sheet and learn more

About the Fellowships

In 2006, the Olson family of Boulder, Colorado, initiated support for an education fellowship to enable college students and recent graduates to serve in a national park while exploring career options in environmental education and the nonprofit sectors. In 2013, the Bailey Family Trust, began providing funds for a second fellow who would assist the Field Institute program during the summer and fall. The Brown Family Foundation and Sessel Family have also recently joined the team, enabling the Conservancy to host additional Fellows, and enabling the Bailey Family Trust has shifted their focus to graduate students, and now support the Conservancy’s Bailey Research Fellowship.

Each year, with generous support from our sponsors, Rocky Mountain Conservancy now offers three education fellowships for individuals of exceptional ability who will develop and support educational and outreach in and around Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). Education fellowships are designed to encourage highly qualified post-college and graduate level students to apply their passion for outreach and teaching while developing and leading a variety of programs in partnership with Rocky Mountain National Park. Fellows will also have the opportunity to connect with RMNP staff in a variety of disciplines and expand their professional networks. All fellowships include housing, a weekly stipend, and the unforgettable experience of working in one of the United State’s premier national parks.

Our education fellowships are designed to provide an on-the-job learning experience in environmental education and the opportunity to explore career options in both the National Park Service and the nonprofit sectors. Fellows develop knowledge of the Conservancy and how it works with its partners, career options in nonprofit and government agencies, and the nonprofit business model. Fellows also develop knowledge of the natural and cultural history of Rocky Mountain National Park and the surrounding region. Fellows leave the program with a portfolio of work that reflects their ability to plan and implement educational programs, develop outreach materials, and communicate with constituents.

Fellows are selected through a rolling recruitment process, with emphasis on diversity recruitment. Fellows can expect to work approximately 40 hours each week, with a schedule that changes from week to week, depending on our programming schedule. This is a unique, learning opportunity for current students and recent graduates with the nonprofit Rocky Mountain Conservancy and the National Park Service.

Fellowship Terms (6 months) Summer: April 1 – September 30 or May 1 – October 31
Winter: October 1 – March 31
Available Positions Two Summer Fellows, One Winter Fellow
Applications Deadline We accept applications year-round. Selection decisions are made 2-3 months prior to each start date.

Our next available fellowship openings are for October 2024. Summer 2024 Fellowships have been filled.

Click here to download our info sheet and learn more

Qualifications

It is recommended that the candidate be actively pursuing or have recently completed a degree program in environmental education, general education, communication, recreation or tourism, or natural resource management. In addition, experience volunteering or working with nonprofit organizations and an interest in public outreach and/or digital media is desired.

Living Allowance

$400/week (paid $800/biweekly) living allowance plus housing near Rocky Mountain National Park.

Schedule

The education fellows spend about 40 hours each week working on a wide range of projects with both RMNP and the Rocky Mountain Conservancy. The fellowship schedule with both organizations is somewhat variable and depends upon a fellow’s specific projects and Rocky Mountain Conservancy’s program schedule. Please note that due to the nature of outdoor education, some weeks will require more than 40 hours, while others will require fewer. It is expected that fellows commit to the full 6-month period and spend the full duration working in and around Rocky Mountain National Park.

Required Skills

  • Dedication to environmental and outdoor education, with the ability to lead programs for children, teens, and adults,
  • Demonstrated ability to think and act creatively,
  • Adept communication skills, both written and spoken, for diverse audiences and using various media,
  • Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to organize ideas and information quickly,
  • Demonstrated ability to independently to manage long-term projects and complete assignments on time,
  • Desire to work both collaboratively and independently on a wide range of projects,
  • Computer experience with the Microsoft Office suite preferred,
  • Enthusiasm, a warm disposition, and the ability to handle the stresses of working with diverse groups of participants.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and lead interactive outdoor programs for diverse audiences, including K-12 students, youth, and adults,
  • Develop and deliver educational tours for adults in and around RMNP,
  • Assist with program development, planning, and implementation for the Field Institute courses, including driving for and supervising summer programs,
  • Schedule and present informational programs about educational opportunities at RMNP,
  • Create educational and promotional materials for Conservancy programs in a variety of media (print, digital audio/video, or in-person),
  • Drive and/or ride in Conservancy-owned and  government-owned vehicles, including the Conservancy’s 14-passenger bus/van,
  • Establish and maintain positive working relationships with RMNP staff and volunteers, as well as with other Conservancy partners, program participants, and community members.

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.

To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter by email to opportunity@RMConservancy.org. Be sure to include your desired start date in your cover letter. Candidates should also be prepared to submit names and contact information for three professional references.

Click here to download our info sheet and learn more

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