Park Planning and Environmental Compliance Fellow (National Park Service)
Length:
Term of positions is (in weeks): 48 weeks; full-time 40 hrs/wk
Location:
Seattle, WA; San Francisco, CA; or remotely located in WA, OR, CA, ID, and NV
Living Allowance:
$685 /week
AmeriCorps Award:
The position is eligible for an AmeriCorps education award upon successful completion of the program. The value of the education award is $6,495 (pre-tax).
Start Date:
May 15, 2023 (Negotiable)
Application Due Date:
Preference is given to applicants that submit applications by 3/1/23
Title of Position
Park Planning Fellow
Position Details
Stewards Individual Placements provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting ecosystem health.
The Pacific West Region (PWR) includes more than 60 national park sites within California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, portions of Arizona and Montana and the territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The PWR Park Planning and Environmental Compliance Program provides assistance to all park units within this geographic area to: 1) provide leadership, oversight, and technical assistance in the preparation of planning documents that articulate desired futures for the protection of park resources and the needed visitor services and facilities; 2) assist park units in compliance; and 3) special resource studies for areas being considered for potential inclusion into the National Park System.
The Park Planning Fellow position provides an opportunity to engage young people in park planning projects that will improve national park infrastructure, expand visitor access and opportunities, evaluate potential new park sites as authorized by Congress, and engage local communities and organizations in planning processes, all of which expose youth to the importance of parks and conservation which may lead to potential career opportunities in cultural and natural resource conservation, planning, public policy, or landscape architecture. In turn, participants will add value by helping NPS planning staff cultivate strong relationships through park planning processes which involve working with many disciplines, park stakeholders, and members of the public. Other PWR programs provide similar internship opportunities which will provide a broader community of youth working towards training, skills, and on the job opportunities that help serve our national parks.
Position Responsibilities:
The Park Planning Fellow will support the PWR Park Planning and Environmental Compliance Program in the completion of several park planning projects. Specific planning and study projects will be located in the Pacific West Region. Park Planning Fellow will:
- Develop approaches/strategies that promote community engagement in park planning projects.
- Prepare for and helping facilitate meetings (in-person and over the web) and workshop
- Summarize public and stakeholder input into planning processes
- Coordinate and support project planning meetings
- Prepare maps, conceptual plans, and graphics using GIS, Adobe Creative Suite, and other software
- Conduct research, site analysis, and resource assessments
- Prepare notes from meetings and discussions
- Develop outreach materials (web updates, e-newsletters, brochures/fliers)
- Write project updates, reports and correspondence
- Assist with the assembly and analysis of park planning portfolios
Minimum Requirements:
- Minimum 18 years of age
- US Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Candidates with partial completion towards a bachelor's degree will be considered if they have some professional experience and accomplishments.
- Possess basic computer skills (particularly Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Suite) and the ability to learn new programs
- Demonstrable interest in parks, landscape design, outdoor recreation, conservation, urban planning, public/youth engagement, etc.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Candidates with bachelor’s or graduate degrees in a relevant field such as planning, resource management, recreation management, or landscape architecture are preferred
- Previous experience in hands-on, on the ground efforts to support conservation and recreation planning
- Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Creative Suite, and some experience with graphic design and GIS/Google Earth mapping
- Knowledge about planning, landscape architecture, and recreation management
- Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively as part of a larger team and to negotiate stressful situations in a diplomatic and non-adversarial manner
- Ability to balance multiple projects at multiple levels, and work under pressure
- Comfortable and effective working individually and in a team setting
- Location may be in Seattle, WA or remote in the Western
Benefits:
- Position is eligible for an AmeriCorps education award upon successful completion of the program. Value of education award is $6,495 (pre-tax).
- Living Allowance: $685/week (pre-tax)
- Training on GIS, Adobe Creative Suite, use of Planning and Environment and Public Comment website for online public communications and comment analysis, general document layout
- $4,881 travel and professional development budget.
How to Apply
Apply on-line at: https://stewardslegacy.org/open-positions. In addition to your resume, please submit a one page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position.
For more information, contact NR&S Conservation Fellow Supervisor Lena_Lee@nps.gov.
Please contact Mo Rock, mrock@conservationlegacy.org, with any questions regarding your application.
Stewards Individual Placements Program does not and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.