Fellowship Goal

The Conservation Fellow is a one-year term position. The objective of the Conservation Diversity Fellowship is to introduce and advance the Fellow’s professional experience in land conservation. This will be achieved by familiarizing the Fellow via a rotation with OSI’s programs and supporting departments during their first few months and a deeper immersion in one or two programs during the second half of their time. This will be achieved by ensuring the fellow has an active role in core work with support and mentorship from the Conservation Communities Director. 

Position Summary

Conservation Fellows will join the Conservation Communities team. Fellows will rotate through each of OSI's programs and support departments partnering with colleagues and conservation leaders at the Open Space Institute to accomplish meaningful conservation goals. Specific tasks vary from year-to-year, from grantmaking to communications to park improvement projects; Fellows will work alongside OSI staff on projects related to some of the following:

• Land Program: Conservation real estate negotiations and acquisitions
• Parks & Policy: Access and improvements to urban parks and state parks and parks advocacy
• Stewardship: Stewardship of protected lands and conveyance (sale, donation, easement assignment) of OSI-owned lands
• Conservation Capital: Grants to organizations based on conservation science research for land protection and information dissemination throughout the conservation community to advance climate-based solutions
• Equity (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion): Projects assessing, communicating, and implementing established organizational equity values and practices
• Operations and Finance: Finance, accounting, and administration of a large non-profit organization
• External Affairs: Communications and Development departments working with partners, funders, and the Board of Trustees to promote our work and raise funds
• Citizen Action: A fiscal sponsorship program for grassroots startups working on environmental education and open space recreation and stewardship
• Legal: Transactions and grants

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATIONS

Eligible Fellow applicants will:

• Have a demonstrated commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion and commitment to the mission of conservation or the environmental movement
• Bachelor's or Associate’s degree in related field with demonstrated academic excellence (GPA, course selection, and leadership)
• Demonstrated interest in a range of fields relating to land conservation including, ecology, environmental justice, real estate, business, marketing, and a desire to learn new skills
• Availability and commitment to full and enthusiastic participation in all aspects of the Conservation Diversity Fellowship

Skills/Core Competencies

Required:

1. Highly organized with the ability to manage concurrent projects from initiation through completion
2. Ability to articulate thoughts and express ideas effectively using oral and written communication skills
3. Excellent research and analytical skills
4. Ability to work well as part of a team and individually, up, down, and across the organization

Desired: