Climate Adaptation (Hydrology/Construction) Fellowship

Join us. Do Work that Matters!

In partnership with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, MobilizeGreen seeks a Climate Adaptation Fellow focused on climate adaptation, hydrology, and construction management at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport, MA. As a fellow, you will support efforts to adapt to climate change, restore habitat and hydrology, and maintain infrastructure on National Wildlife Refuge System lands.  Fellows also will engage in nature-based restoration projects, hydrologic and geomorphologic data collection and analysis, contract administration, construction oversight, and stakeholder collaboration. Additionally, Fellows will assist with infrastructure planning and inspection, technical engineering, and creating communication tools to promote climate adaptation and infrastructure maintenance.

This position provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with multiple USFWS programs, including Refuges, Ecological Services, Science Applications, Fisheries, and the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, while developing skills in, hydrology, project management, and restoration science. This opportunity is designed for early-career professionals interested in climate resilience, hydrology, construction management, and infrastructure maintenance.

MobilizeGreen is an organization committed to inclusion. MobilizeGreen seeks applications from all participants who meet the position requirements, including women, people of color, Indigenous people, individuals of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, military veterans, and members of other historically disenfranchised groups. All are encouraged to apply.

Location: Newbury, MA

Term: 52 weeks (12 months), Full-Time (40 hours per week), on-site position. The fellowship eligible for extension up to 3 years (36 months).

Duty Station: Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

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

Specific Tasks Required (if applicable):

• Fieldwork and Hydrology
  • Installing and maintaining hydrologic monitoring equipment (e.g., staff gages, shallow groundwater wells, and water level recorders).
  • Conducting topographic and bathymetric surveys using Real-Time Kinematic GPS (RTK GPS).
  • Monitoring vegetation, elevation, and hydrology using established protocols and synthesizing data to assess project success

• Climate Adaptation Projects:
  • Work as part of a Team to restore creek hydrology to salt marsh.
  • Facilitating cross-programmatic coordination to advance priority climate resiliency projects.
  • Developing communication materials, and demonstration case studies to disseminate restoration methodology, and assist other projects.
  • Preparing briefing materials and innovative content to communicate climate success stories.
  • Supporting feasibility, design, and delivery of climate ready conservation projects.
    
• Construction and Engineering Support:
  • Conducting site condition analyses, data collection, and instrumentation data analysis.
  • Performing limited engineering schematics or architectural designs for developmental assignments.
  • Participating in inspections, reviews, and evaluations of facilities and infrastructure.
  • Assisting with project management, contract administration, compliance checks, and database operations.
  • Using remote sensing tools, including GIS, RTK, and data analysis software, to support project designs.
  • Preparing drawings, permits, material testing, and documentation for projects.

Learning Goals:

• Gain skills in hydrology, geomorphology, and nature-based restoration design, including data collection, analysis, and project design.
• Develop expertise in surface water and groundwater monitoring, surveying, and tidal flow assessment.
• Acquire knowledge of construction management techniques, project management of in-house and contracted crew, and compliance reporting for a large-scale, multiple year restoration project.
• Understand how to integrate climate adaptation and nature-based engineering principles into wildlife conservation and infrastructure projects.
• Build professional networks across USFWS, working with diverse stakeholders including contractors, States, Tribes, NGOs, and local governments.
• Learn effective communication methods to create and share climate-related materials, success stories, and case studies.
• Experience cross-programmatic collaboration, project management, and collaborative team-based field operations.

Qualifications/Skills and Knowledge:

Required:

• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
• Ages 18-30 (or up to 35 for veterans).
• Degree or coursework in environmental science, natural resources, climate science, hydrology, engineering, geoscience, biology, construction management, or related fields.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Strong analytical, organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication, teamwork, and independent work skills.
• Willingness to work outdoors in varying conditions and conduct physical tasks.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of hydrologic monitoring, land surveying techniques, and construction management tools.
• Experience with GIS, data analysis, and nature-based climate solutions.
• Familiarity with public lands management, environmental policy, and engineering practices.
• Demonstrated ability to develop case studies, technical materials, and success stories for diverse audiences.
• Strong written, oral, and visual communication skills.
• Desire to drive climate adaptation and engineering solutions collaboratively.
• Knowledge and proficiency in operating and maintaining small-engine equipment

Specific Requirements/Preferences:

• Physical Requirements: Work involves both office and field tasks, with activities such as walking on rough terrain, carrying equipment (up to 40 lbs) over long distances, and working in variable weather conditions.
• Position Environment: Duties are performed indoors and outdoors, often requiring travel to remote sites and exposure to temperature extremes, biting insects, ticks, and poison ivy.

Equitable selection process. We encourage you to apply ASAP.

For more information on MobilizeGreen go to: www.mobilizegreen.org

Salary : $800