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. 

Start Date: Between June 5 – 14, 2023   End Date: Between August 19 – 26, 2023

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.

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 $15.50/hr., 35 hours a week over the summer.

Downloadable Job Description:  2023 SRG Fellowship Job Description

DUTIES:

• Fellows will participate in a 3-day watershed education training, at the Pocono Environmental Education Center (overnight, June 14-16.) (Depending on Covid limitations at the time, some or all this training may take place virtually.)
• 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 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 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 18).
• Fellows will document their progress by completing a short log report every week

The Fellow at Schuylkill River Greenways (SRG) will specifically:

• Work with SRG and Berks Nature Center to host the 2nd Riverzilla community event in Reading, PA. The fellow will work with Reading representatives and organizations to plan the event and will be responsible for creating promotional materials for the event in English and Spanish, if possible.
• Manage and promote two outdoor move nights along the Schuylkill River. One at Riverfront Park in
  Pottstown, PA (July 13th, 2023) and one in Schuylkill Haven, PA (October 14th, 2023). The Fellow will plan both events but is only required to attend the July 13th movie night.
• Assist in 1-2 days (between July 17-23) 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.
• Create marketing materials for SRG’s partner outfitter, Take It Outdoors Adventures, to encourage participation in paddling, bicycling, and other recreational activities along the Schuylkill River and Trail.
• Help create advertising signs and promotional materials for Latin Festival taking place in Pottstown.
• If fluent in Spanish, help translate materials such as flyers and surveys to Spanish.
• Assist with environmental education and programming along the Schuylkill River Trail.

Qualifications and Experience

• Age 18+ by June 5, 2023 start date
• Valid state driver’s license required and reliable transportation
• Reading area resident preferred
• 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)

Essential Dates:

• June 5, 2023: 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 14-16: Fellowship Orientation (overnight) at Pocono Environmental Education Center. (Meals, transportation and accommodations provided.)
• August 18: Watershed Fellowship Summit (location to be announced).
• August 25: Last day of Fellowship (Fellows may finish their term of service any time after the August 18 Summit as needed.)

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

Wednesday, April 28, 2023