Alliance for Watershed Education Fellowship Coordinator

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state, regional, national, and international programs, nature centers, and chapters have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. As a sentinel species, we recognize that the fate of birds is inextricably tied to the fate of us all.

Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the United States and seven countries in 17 state and regional offices, 41 nature centers, and 23 wildlife sanctuaries. Together as one Audubon, we aspire to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged, with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon will bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

Audubon Mid-Atlantic seeks a passionate candidate to support its work with the Alliance for Watershed Education (AWE), a network of 23 environmental centers spread across the Delaware River watershed that are interconnected by multi-use bike/pedestrian trails and waterways (rivers, streams, and creeks). This individual will assume leadership of AWE’s high successful Fellowship Program. Through this initiative, AWE’s goal is to engage individuals and communities that have not previously participated in watershed related programs, recreation or stewardship.

More than 80 individuals from diverse backgrounds have participated in this Program since 2017. With guidance from their local supervisor, Fellows develop projects that help centers expand their constituency, reflecting AWE’s values of equity, diversity and inclusion. Fellows are recruited from the communities which centers serve or seek to serve, participate in AWE sponsored trainings throughout their experience, and work towards the completion of a capstone project at their Center. Fellowships begin each May.

The Fellowship Program Associate will coordinate and direct all aspects of the Program, including assisting each center with recruitment, management, training and evaluation of active Fellows. He or she will also build the alumni network to keep former Fellows connected and engaged. The program goal is to foster watershed stewardship by establishing a cadre of ambassadors and building capacity for each of its centers to reach diverse and traditionally underserved constituents.

The Program Associate will be based at the Discovery Center in East Fairmount Park (Philadelphia), and will be directly supervised by Audubon’s Director of Centers and Operations. The Fellowship Committee of AWE will also provide direction regarding the development and implementation of Fellowship activities, as well as creative and hands-on support. The Program Associate will also support and be supported by other AWE-related staff.
**Significant day travel and some overnights is required.

**This is a grant-funded position made possible by The William Penn Foundation. Thirty months of funding is currently in place.

• Provide programmatic leadership for the Fellowship Program, in collaboration with AWE Fellowship team and the entire network of 23 environmental centers; ensure strategies reflect the values and goals of Audubon and AWE; coordinate regular and consistent communications among all centers, fellows, consultants, and partners.
• Build a self-aware and supportive community among the Fellows, supervisors, and AWE centers.
• Identify and spotlight challenges facing the Fellows and centers; work with both to help overcome and remove barriers.
• Lead collaborative efforts among all centers to create policy and procedures for ensuring the consistency, quality and integrity of the Fellowship.
• Assist centers with the recruitment and hiring of Fellows by developing recruitment materials; provide advice throughout recruitment process with emphasis on helping centers reach candidates with diverse backgrounds and those with a relationship to the constituents targeted by the center.
• Join the AWE network team to develop and coordinate a multi-day orientation and training opportunity for Fellows and supervisors at the beginning of the season, and culminating Summit in August.
• Create learning and sharing opportunities through regional meetings, video conferences, and social media for Fellows to build a broad understanding of the Delaware River Watershed, AWE, and each other.
• Provide advice and support to Fellows as they identify capstone projects; assist in setting goals, milestones and deadlines for each project.
• Conduct site visits to evaluate the Fellowship program at each center, engage with Fellows and centers, providing guidance for ongoing program improvements.
• Assist with administering grant agreements between Audubon and the centers for both the Fellowship and Extension grants, including with Audubon’s finance department.
• Motivate and support the alumni network; organize annual reunions, job sharing and workshop opportunities.
• Prepare and provide information and presentations regarding the Fellowship program for the Fellowship Team, AWE Steering Committee, All Center Meetings, and funder reports.
• Support Audubon and AWE’s equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) values through all aspects of the program; work directly with AWE’s EDI work group as needed.
• Work closely with AWE’s Communications Team to develop content for on-going communication platforms for the fellows to communicate with each other, share ideas and stay connected beyond their employment.
• Work with AWE’s evaluation team to understand the impact of the Fellowship Program towards AWE’s goals.
• Serve as ambassador for the Fellowship program, conducting outreach and education about the program across the Delaware River watershed.

• Bachelor’s degree in related field and 3+ years’ experience in project management, environmental education, community organizing or similar role.
• Must have experience working with adults from diverse backgrounds, as well as organizing and coordinating volunteers, internships or similar large program.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills a must; superior interpersonal skills with a demonstrated commitment to cultural diversity also necessary.
• Must be people oriented, have a team-focused attitude, and the ability to professionally represent the network to the public.
• Ability to research and quickly develop knowledge of recruiting strategies, career and personal growth.
• Ability to work in a dynamic fast-paced environment and juggle multiple, changing priorities; strong time and project management skills needed. Must be self-motivated and willing to work in a flexible, non-structured environment.
• A positive attitude and good sense of humor, as well as comfort working independently as a leader and part of a team, when needed.
• Strong technical skills with an emphasis on Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and social media platforms.
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout the watershed (must have a valid driver’s license and vehicle as well).
• Demonstrated commitment to conservation, youth engagement, network building and the mission of the National Audubon Society.

This position is represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA).

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

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