Delaware River Watershed Fellowship

The Delaware River Watershed Fellowship is a 12-week, paid summer job opportunity designed to introduce young people from local communities to careers in environmental education. Fellows are hired at one of 23 environmental education centers across the Delaware River Watershed. Fellows participate in training sessions to help prepare them for a summer of helping people connect with nature and informing their local communities about issues affecting the Delaware River, the source of drinking water for 13 million people living in the region.

The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, a member of the Alliance for Watershed Education (AWE), is seeking to hire a Fellow to create a comprehensive peer training program for volunteers in our community. Working jointly with the Education and Communications department the fellow will research and design a volunteer peer training program and outreach plan for the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education. The goal would be to develop a training curriculum and outreach plan designed to create peer leaders who could lead volunteer events, teach others about stewardship and the watershed, and assist with events and outreach. 

Position Location: The Schuylkill Center is located at 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA 19128

Compensation: Fellows are paid $15.50/hr, 35-40 hours a week over the summer.

Duties:

• Fellows will participate in a 3 day watershed education training, at the Pocono Environmental Education Center (overnight, June 11-13) http://www.peec.org/
• Fellows will help their host Center lead programs and activities for community members and visitors to their site.
• Fellows will attend virtual webinars as well as in-person meetings with Fellows from other AWE Centers.
• Fellows will be paired with mentors from AWE Centers as well as past Fellowship alumni. Fellows will check in with their mentors twice a month.
• With guidance from their supervisors and mentors, Fellows will focus their efforts on a specific Capstone Project and present their work at the end-of-program Summit event (August 15).
• Fellows will document their progress by completing a short log report every week.

The Schuylkill Center Fellow will specifically:

• Research volunteer education programs with nonprofits, municipalities, and organizations locally and nationally.
• Research key topics about watershed health to include in an educational program for volunteers.
• Research successful community outreach efforts to recruit volunteers for stewardship and outreach with nature centers and other environmental organizations.
• Research the current needs of the Schuylkill Center for volunteer engagement and what volunteer activities would have the biggest impact for watershed health at the Schuylkill Center.
• Develop a volunteer leadership program plan that includes curriculum around environmental topics including watershed health, stewardship, and community outreach and engagement. Include a plan for community outreach to selected audiences to promote engagement with stewardship and inspire volunteer community leaders.
• Lead (or assist with) select volunteer and education programs at the Schuylkill Center.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Age 18 by June 2, 2025 start date.
• A background in environmental education is not required.
• Ability to lift 25 lbs.
• Interest in and enjoyment of the outdoors is highly recommended.
• Able to spend multiple hours outdoors in all types of weather.
• Ability to hike 2 or more miles each day at a steady pace.
• Strong communication skills and confidence in speaking to groups of people.
• Occasional Saturday hours required.
• Obtain Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance and criminal record check.

Essential dates:

• June 2, 2025: Fellow start date at Schuylkill Center (Fellows may arrange with their Supervisor to begin any time within the first week of the program.)
• June 11-13: Fellowship Orientation (overnight) at Pocono Environmental Education Center. (Meals, transportation and accommodations provided.)
• July 7: Region 1 meeting (location TBD)
• July 30: All Regions meeting at Berks Nature Center
• August 15: Watershed Fellowship Summit (location TBD).
• August 22: Last day of Fellowship (Fellows may finish their term of service any time after the August 15 Summit as needed.)