2024 Healthy Streams Fellow

Lawrence, Kansas, USA

KS409

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”

In Kansas more than 80% of streams are unsuitable for one or more human uses. These unique and fragile freshwater ecosystems continue to lose their diversity at an alarming rate. But many Kansas streams can be restored, and a few are still nearly as pristine as they were historically. The Healthy Streams for Kansas Initiative focuses on streams that fit one of these categories: those that reasonably can be recovered, and those that need only protection from pollution or development. The Fellow will help advance the mission of the Healthy Streams Initiative.

The Healthy Streams Fellow may do research and review scientific literature, map data, assist with fieldwork, attend meetings with partners, and other work to advance the Healthy Streams Initiative. The fellow may work in one or two project areas across Kansas including advancing irrigation technology and water conservation in central Kansas, monitoring and protecting urban streams in the K.C. Metro area, environmental flow management and data collection on the Kansas River, and/or regenerative agriculture projects in the Smoky Hills.

Your Opportunity to “Get your feet wet”!
The fellow will have the opportunity to broaden their experiences through interactions with Conservancy staff, conservation partners, and by attending natural resources events. This work will be a valuable step toward your future career path. Previous interns have gone on to work in various positions within The Nature Conservancy, as well as with local, state, and federal agencies, academia, other nonprofit organizations, and natural resource contracting.

The ideal candidate should have data management, collaboration skills and exceptional research experience in related field. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the ongoing mission of conservation by contributing to the work of our team!

The Fellow will work 35 hours per week for up to 10 weeks from June through August and will be paid $15 per hour. The Fellow will work primarily virtually but may travel around the state to visit project sites, as circumstances allow.

Learning Experience:

• May interact with partner organizations and the public via Zoom or in person, as local conditions and Fellow’s personal circumstances allow.
• Works under close or infrequent supervision.

Working Conditions/Physical Effort: May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations for long periods of time in isolated settings, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age during the time of the fellowship.
• Applicant must be either an undergraduate student from a four-year Kansas college or university; or a graduate student in a degree- granting program at a Kansas college or university. Students who graduate in the spring are eligible to apply.
• Currently studying towards a degree in natural resource management, wildlife biology, environmental science, water resources, environmental finance, cultural studies with an environmental component, or other relevant field.

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is $15 per hour. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

Job Family: Conservation

Internal Job Code: 950001

Salary Grade: 1

To apply for job ID 54700, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact [email protected].

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.