Fellowship Opportunities

The Center for Public Lands partners with a number of organizations and agencies to provide fellowship opportunities for students in Western Colorado University’s Master in Environmental Management and Master of Science in Ecology programs, as well as Western’s undergraduate Environment and Sustainability major and Public Lands emphasis.

Center for Public Lands 2023/2024 Fellowship Opportunities 

Conservation Building Methods Fellow

Western Colorado University & Youth Employment Program (YEP), Salmon, Idaho Please send filled YEP application, resume and letters of interest to the Western Colorado University Masters in Environmental Management program with subject line “Youth Employment Program”: mem@western.edu Phone: Dominique Naccarato, 719-221-4711

Employment Opportunity Description:

This employment opportunity exists due to partnership between Western Colorado University’s (WCU) Masters in Environmental Management program, the Montana/Idaho based Youth Employment Program (YEP), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and the Nature Conservancy. The partners invite applications from highly motivated individual(s) interested in working on the shared YEP and Nature Conservancy mandate “... to foster a culture of stewardship that will increase the durability and sustainability of conservation”. This employment opportunity is based out of Dillon, Montana during the 2024 and 2025 field season taking place April through September, depending on weather. Rate of pay is starting at $17 an hour, with potential to increase. Housing is provided. Start and work dates are flexible. This MEM position has the ability to turn into a career as the Conservation Building Methods Certificate is developed in partnership with a local University and YEP capacity is expanded with the student’s help.

Successful candidates will gain experience and skills with restoration techniques, public lands management, grant writing and management, stakeholder/partner engagement, communications and non-profit management including capacity building, budgeting, and financial management. For those interested in building their career in Dillon, Montana, the opportunity exists for continued YEP employment as the student helps grow capacity for YEP. A project opportunity exists to grow YEP’s Conservation Building Methods Certificate with Western Montana University.

Fellow must need the following characteristics:

YEP, as an organization, embraces mentorship. Personal characteristics outweigh skills, which can be built. Experience in the trades and/or education is great, but not necessary. What is necessary is the following: Self-confidence and belief in the YEP mission, developed and collectively built with YEP staff as successes accumulate.

1. A personal insatiable drive to create meaningful systems that support the stated mandate. This candidate will demonstrate personal efficacy and will instill confidence in their crew.

2. Ability to create efficient, functional and quality systems. Youth Employment Program Dillon, Montana 59725 (406) 925-3643 Conservation Employment 2023 YEP Crew working on Magpie Springs

3. Desire to create and expand the “Conservation Building Methods Program” at YEP.

4. Personal drive for domestic and professional ecological accountability. As you become embedded in this community no one should feel judged, or isolated for the aesthetic that their culture has given them.

5. Ability to work both in the office and in the field during field season.

6. Ability to accomplish physical labor.

Summer/Field Season (April - September, weather dependent)

YEP will provide housing in the town of Dillon, Montana for the field season. During the summer months, participants will manage a crew leading restoration, conservation, and trails project work in the Dillon area, while learning about sustainable construction on the Magpie Springs Earthship and associated outdoor spaces including installation of water catchment system and work on the greenhouse. More information and a full crew lead job description can be found here.

Potential project directions outside field season (can be from a distance):

● Construction and building trades project management.

● Research sustainable construction techniques and other sustainable building methods

● Learn to research, apply for, and manage grants and agreements.

● Work with the University of Montana-Western and YEP to develop curriculum and create Conservation Building Methods Certificate

● Collaborate with Dillon YEP Program Manager for visioning and plan implementation in SW Montana.

● Review and improve the following documents: Conservation Development, Conservation Building Methods

● Program communication and outreach, including meeting with program partners, social media, film, public speaking engagements, and event coordination.

A successful applicant will:

● Communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and work well in a team-setting with problem-solving skills.

● Be interested in and enthusiastic about community involvement.

● Enjoy working with the general public.

● Have a good driving record and a valid driver's license.

● Have good organizational skills.

● Exhibit flexibility in work and school projects.

● Be able to pass a drug and criminal background check.

● Be able to do and enjoy manual labor, such as that required for Low-Tech Process Based Stream Restoration including Beaver Dam Analog Structures (BAS), and building Zuni Structures (Zeedyke).

● Be able to lead crews.

To see flier click HERE!

Recreation and Conservation in the Landscape

Western Colorado University & Youth Employment Program (YEP), Salmon, Idaho

Please send filled YEP application, resume and letters of interest to the Western Colorado University Masters in Environmental Management program with subject line “Youth Employment Program”: mem@western.edu

Phone: Dominique Naccarato, 719-221-4711

Employment Opportunity Description:

This employment opportunity exists due to partnership between Western Colorado University’s (WCU) Masters in Environmental Management program, the Montana/Idaho based Youth Employment Program (YEP), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and the Nature Conservancy. The partners invite applications from highly motivated individual(s) interested in working on the shared YEP and Nature Conservancy mandate “... to foster a culture of stewardship that will increase the durability and sustainability of conservation”. This employment opportunity is based out of Salmon, Idaho during the 2024 and 2025 field season taking place April through September, depending on weather. Rate of pay is starting at $17 an hour, with potential to increase, plus a $5,000 fellowship per year for off-season capacity building work for YEP. Housing is provided during the field season. Fellowship work can take place at a distance, but fellow must participate in person during the field season. Start and work dates are flexible.

Successful candidates will gain experience and skills in restoration techniques, public lands management, grant writing and management, stakeholder/partner engagement, communications and non-profit management including capacity building, budgeting, and financial management. For those interested in building their career in Salmon, Idaho, continued YEP employment as a Program Manager upon initial project completion is possible, funding dependent.

Fellow must possess the following characteristics:

YEP, as an organization, embraces mentorship. Personal characteristics outweigh skills, which can be built. YEP seeks the following characteristics:

1. Self-confidence and belief in the YEP mission.

2. A strong drive to create meaningful systems that support the YEP/Nature Conservancy mandate. The candidate will demonstrate strong self-efficacy, instilling confidence in their crew.

3. Ability to create efficient, functional and quality systems.

4. Ability to create and expand the Salmon, Idaho program.

5. Personal drive for domestic and professional ecological accountability. Applicants should be aware that the community is rural and conservative, and successful participants be ready to adjust language and perceptions to meet project goals, while remaining loyal to ecological accountability.

6. Ability to work both in the office and in the field during field season.

7. Ability to accomplish the physical labor involved with ecological restoration.

Summer/Field Season (April - September, weather dependent)

YEP will provide housing in the town of Salmon, Idaho. During the summer months, applicants will manage a crew leading restoration, conservation and trails project work in the Salmon area, specifically at Harriman State Park, implementing trail plans, conservation measures, and monitoring protocols. Position pays $17/hr.

Potential project directions outside field season (can be from a distance) - $5,000 fellowship:

● Learn to manage project grants and agreements.

● Conduct stakeholder engagement to build relationships with agencies, non-profit and other organizations.

● Learn budgeting and financial management for Salmon YEP.

● Build organizational systems to improve durability.

● Assist YEP Program Manager to research and apply for grants.

● Work directly with the YEP Executive Director on organizational tasks.

● Collaborate with Dillon YEP Program Manager for visioning and plan implementation in SW Montana.

● Program communication and outreach, including meeting with program partners, social media, film, public speaking engagements, and event coordination.

● Build Salmon YEP capacity for expansion into Southern Idaho.

A successful applicant will:

● Communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and work well in a team-setting with problem-solving skills.

● Be interested in and enthusiastic about community involvement.

● Enjoy working with the general public.

● Have a good driving record and a valid driver's license.

● Have good organizational skills.

● Flexibility in work projects.

● Be able to pass a drug and criminal background check.

● Be able to do and enjoy manual labor, such as that required for Low-Tech Process Based Stream Restoration and building Zuni Structures (Zeedyk).

● Be able to lead crews.

To see flier click HERE!

Funded Graduate Assistantships in the Food Systems, Public Lands & Hunting Program

The Center for Public Lands, Hunters of Color, and Cold Harbor Institute are collaborating to establish new undergraduate internship pathways.

The Food Systems, Public Lands, and Hunting Program is hiring three Graduate Assistants to work with one of three organizations - the Center for Public Lands, Hunters of Color, or the Coldharbour Institute - to establish and expand a new array of internship positions for undergraduate students.

Now Accepting Applications! For the June 1, 2024 Hiring Date

Position Description:

The Graduate Assistantship, supported by the USDA’s National Institute of Food & Agriculture, will work to establish new undergraduate internship pathways in collaboration with one of three program partners: The Center for Public Lands, the Coldharbour Institute, and Hunters of Color. Working directly with one of these organizations, Graduate Assistants will:

• Identify and clarify internship positions

• Develop recruitment materials and engage in recruitment activities to generate undergraduate excitement about the internship positions.

• Create, implement, and evaluate materials designed to onboard and train undergraduate interns - with a focus on inclusive approaches - prior to their work with partner organizations.

• Mentor and support undergraduates as they carry out their internships.

In order to fully understand and connect with the organizations they serve, about one quarter of the Graduate Assistants’ work with their organization will include direct participation in the operations of that organization (e.g. attending meetings, assisting with planning sessions, contributing to general recruitment and outreach efforts, and supporting events). Graduate Assistants will meet weekly with the program’s project director (Kate Clark). Regular meetings with a representative from the given partner organization will be determined by each organization.

20 hrs/week June 2024-May 2025

$20,000

Three Graduate Assistantship Positions Available with:

Center for Public Lands: Western Colorado University’s Center for Public Lands is a hub for cross-boundary land management and study. This training and resource center brings together students, land managers, and communities with a goal to develop creative responses to contemporary land management challenges. We are an educational and community-serving institution working at the nexus of service, science and scholarship. .

Coldharbour Institute: Coldharbour Institute is a learning laboratory where we demonstrate regenerative living practices that bring health to our bodies, land, and communities. It is our mission to educate and empower youth and community members to make an impact in sustainability and regenerative solutions for our community and beyond. We work with students, industry professionals, and community members of all ages to envision a thriving community that is restored, revitalized, and ultimately regenerated through our interactions with the land.

Hunters of Color: Our mission is to create accessible, equitable opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and All People of Color (BIPOC) in conservation and hunting by dismantling barriers to entry through educational opportunities, mentorship, and providing resources.

Incoming students in the Master of Environmental Management program at Western Colorado University are welcome to apply.

How to Apply:

To apply to work with the organization of your choice, send a cover letter and resume to the organization’s contact listed below. Please use the subject heading ‘2024 - Internship Program.’ Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Dr. Briget Eastep, Director Center for Public Lands beastep@western.edu

Dr. Salif Mahamane, CO Ambassador Hunters of Color smahamane@western.edu

Alex Wilson, Admin Assist. Coldharbour Institute admin@coldharbourinstitute.org