Schuylkill River Greenways (SRG), a member of the Alliance for Watershed Education (AWE), is seeking to hire a Fellow from the Reading, PA area (preferably someone fluent in both English and Spanish) to help connect with local community members around protecting the Delaware River and its tributaries, including the Schuylkill River. SRG is committed to building a workforce that matches the diversity of the communities we serve. We are dedicated to celebrating and preserving a heritage area that is diverse, equitable and inclusive. We value the different experiences, knowledge and unique capabilities applicants will be able to share because of varying social, cultural, and racial backgrounds. 

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 15 million people living in the region

Position Location

Schuylkill River Greenways is located at 140 College Drive, Pottstown, PA 19464. The Fellow will spend much of their time in and around Pottstown and Reading, but some events will take place in other areas of the watershed in Philadelphia, Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and Schuylkill Counties.

Compensation

Fellows are paid hourly and can expect to work 35-40 hours per week through the summer.

Job Description: 

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, whether in-person or virtually, for community members and visitors to their site.
• Fellows will attend in-person meetings with Fellows from other AWE Centers.
• With guidance from their supervisor 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 Fellow at Schuylkill River Greenways (SRG) will specifically:

• Create interactive lesson plans to engage school and summer camp groups in watershed education and regional heritage. Lessons will include activities like tracing tributaries, mapping Revolutionary War events, and using latitude and longitude. The Fellow will pilot the activities in our priority communities and create materials for long-term use.
• Assist with environmental education and programming along the Schuylkill River Trail.
• Work with SRG and Berks Nature Center to host the 4th Riverzilla community event in Reading, PA.
• Manage and promote two outdoor move nights along the Schuylkill River. One at Riverfront Park in Pottstown, PA (July 24th) and one in Hamburg, PA (October 11th). The Fellow will plan both events but is only required to attend the July movie night.
• Assist in several days (between June 14-20) of SRG’s Schuylkill River Sojourn event, a weeklong paddling excursion (kayaking optional).
• Create eye-catching graphics (social media posts, flyers, informational handouts, etc.) using Canva or other design programs to inform SRG followers about events, programs/projects, and watershed education.
• If fluent in Spanish, help translate materials such as flyers and surveys to Spanish.

Qualifications and Experience

• At least age 18 by June 2, 2025 start date
• Valid state driver’s license required and reliable transportation
• The fellow will be working in Spanish-speaking communities, SRG is seeking to hire a candidate fluent in Spanish and English (preferred)
• Experience in social media management, graphic design, writing/communications & marketing
• Comfortable welcoming and talking with visitors to the center and park, excited to help run environmental education programs outdoors with children and adults
• Comfortable working outdoors
• Enjoy working with a team and independently, teamwork will be needed for events and SRG projects, working independently as a leader will be helpful when working on the community engagement summer project
• Occasional evening and weekend hours required for movie nights, trail survey distribution in Reading, and community engagement summer project
• Able to walk or hike through varied terrain, open to trying kayaking in the Schuylkill River (no prior kayaking experience necessary)

Required Dates:

• June 2: Fellow start date at Schuylkill River Greenways (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.)
• June 16-20:  Fellow can expect to assist with the Sojourn several days this week.
• July 24:  Movie night
• August 15: Watershed Fellowship Summit (location to be announced).
• Riverzilla: Third Saturday in August
• August 22: Last day of Fellowship (Fellows may finish their term of service any time after the August 16 Summit as needed.)

While the summer schedule may have some flexibility, please review required dates before applying.  The success of the fellowship for SRG and for you depends on participation in these events.

How to apply

If you are interested in learning more about the fellowship, email our Education Director, Ayashe Ramey, or complete an online application to apply:  CLICK HERE 

Application Deadline

April 9, 2025