Adaptation Fellowship

MobilizeGreen seeks conservation-minded Adaptation fellows who will support the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)’s goal of adapting to and mitigating rapid ecological change by working collaboratively with partners, integrating nature-based solutions, and helping to infuse adaptation and resilience throughout management of Service trust resources. The fellows will apply understanding of nature's processes and functions to tackle societal challenges like ecosystem change, increased environmental hazards, biodiversity declines, disasters, and water security by building resiliency for ecological and human communities. 

Location: Anchorage, AK

Term: 26 weeks (6 months), Full-Time (40 hours per week), on-site position. The fellowship eligible for extension up to 3 years (36 months).

Anticipated Start Date: End of June 2025

Duty Stations:

USFWS Region 7 Regional Office in Anchorage, AK

Benefits: 

• Hands on learning and job training experience
• Paid orientation and travel to orientation
• Mentorship for career and professional development
• Weekly living allowance ($800 per week)
• Housing
• Relocation assistance
• Health insurance option
• Certificate of non-competitive hiring eligibility (with successful completion of fellowship). Other authorities may apply

Position Duties:

• Assist Service staff with a broad portfolio of initiatives focused on adapting to and mitigating ecological change, including, but not limited to, applying tools to assess conservation and restoration opportunities.
• Facilitating cross-programmatic coordination to advance implementation of priority projects at local, regional, and national scales.
• Support the development of guidance and technical support tools for application by field practitioners.
• Develop case studies, communication materials, intranet content, and other shared learning materials to promote the operationalization of science-based action.
• Facilitate adaptation and resiliency through innovative partnerships.
• Opportunities to prepare briefing materials, explore innovative approaches to communicating the Service’s success stories in adaptation and resilience, and engage with project teams to support feasibility, design, and delivery of priority projects across the Service.
• Opportunities to support work of multiple Service programs, such as Refuges, Ecological Services, Fisheries, Coastal Program, and Partners for Fish and Wildlife.

Specific Tasks Required:

• R7 Regional Office (Science Apps)
  • Assist with regional cross-programmatic coordination and implementation of our regional adaptation and resilience strategies.
  • Liaise with the USGS Adaptation Science Centers and associated institutions, including University of Alaska Fairbanks, to help the Service access technical information related to environmental change.
  • Help advance use of conservation planning frameworks in the Alaska region.
  • Work towards inclusion of Indigenous Knowledges and Tribes into adaptation and resilience actions.
  • Provide regional learning opportunities on topics related to ecosystem adaptation and contemporary global change.
  • Communicate information related to ecological shifts and how that information may be used across programs.

Learning Goals:

• Learn the structure of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and be introduced to all Service programs.
• Gain an understanding of how to incorporate innovative science and adaptation into planning, guidance, and policy for the National Wildlife Refuge System and other FWS programs.
• Understand a variety of methods to communicate science and engage audiences across all demographics.
• Connect and develop networking ties with managers, scientists, conservation professionals, resource specialists, and partners throughout FWS.
• Provide decision support for USFWS programs and partners.
• Provide partnership coordination and outreach to advance conservation collectively across natural resource agencies.
• Gain experience with cross-programmatic portfolio and project management.
• Gain knowledge and experience working with the Department of the Interior and its bureaus.
• Gain experience collaborating and working in partnerships with States, Tribes, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local governments, natural and working land managers, private citizens, and others.

Qualifications/Skills and Knowledge:

Ideal applicant will have:

• Current working knowledge of nature-based solutions and environmental science, policy, and/or implementation topics.
• Desire to help drive the Service’s adaptation and mitigation responses collaboratively and at all levels.
• Experience setting an agenda and goals for a portfolio of work, as well as guiding disparate interests to achieve specific objectives.
• Strong interpersonal, communication (oral and written), and organizational skills.
• Ability to synthesize information from a variety of sources to identify core issues and translate them into action.

Specific Requirements:

• Undergraduate or master’s degree in biology, ecology, forestry, wildlife ecology, natural resource management, behavioral or social science, environmental science/studies, adaptation science/planning, geology, hydrology, geomorphology, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
• Ability to interpret oral and occasionally written instructions and specifications and follow safety practices.
• Must be a citizen or lawful permanent resident.

Salary : $800