TITLE:  Montana Public Lands Fellow

CLASSIFICATION: Associate

WAGE CATEGORY: Non-Exempt

DEPARTMENT:  Conservation

REPORTS TO: Director, Northern Rockies

LOCATION: Bozeman, MT

ABOUT AMERICAN RIVERS

Named one of the best groups to support by “Outside” magazine, American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers, and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects, and annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® and National River Cleanup® campaigns. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 350,000 members, supporters and volunteers. Our Northern Rockies office based in Bozeman, Montana has four full-time staff and an annual budget of approximately $500,000. American Rivers maintains a positive work environment with a culture of learning, support and balance. For more information please visit www.americanrivers.org

American Rivers embraces and celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion in all that we do. Rivers Connect Us is more than just our tagline. The beauty of rivers is that they connect all people and communities, and we seek to build and embody this diversity in our organization and throughout the conservation field.  Each individual brings life experiences, knowledge, innovation and talent to our work, providing perspectives, experiences and competencies that are critical to our effectiveness.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Montana Public Lands Fellow will work closely with the Northern Rockies Director and other members of the Northern Rockies team to implement our river conservation goals in Montana. The Fellow will be an active participant in Montanans for Healthy Rivers, a coalition seeking to win new Wild and Scenic River designations on federal public lands in western Montana; conduct research in the field and in the office; conduct grassroots outreach to a variety of audiences; engage in the development of forest plan revisions, resource management plan revisions, and Comprehensive River Management Plans (CRMPs) on federal public lands; assist the Northern Rockies team in planning and implementing special events; and participate in other campaigns, projects and activities as needed. The Fellow will have the opportunity to attend a variety of internal and external trainings aimed at building skills in public policy, campaign management, grassroots outreach and media engagement. The Fellow will also have the opportunity to collaborate with American Rivers staff based in other field offices and participate on internal teams including our Wild and Scenic Rivers/Public Lands Team. This position is fully-funded for two years, with the possibility of being extended depending on funding.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Participate on the Montanans for Healthy Rivers steering committee and help the coalition carry out its goals, objectives and activities by engaging and mobilizing grassroots and grasstops partners, conducting research, generating earned media, and interfacing with key elected leaders at the local, state and federal levels
  • Assist our Northern Rockies team in earning long-term administrative protections for rivers flowing across public lands by engaging in forest plan revisions, land management plan revisions, Comprehensive River Management Plans (CRMPs), and Wild and Scenic eligibility assessments through the creation of detailed policy comments and meetings with stakeholders and officials
  • Work with our Northern Rockies team and our national communications team to mobilize members and supporters to weigh in on federal legislation, forest plan revisions, land management plan revisions, Comprehensive River Management Plans (CRMPs), Wild and Scenic eligibility assessments, and other programmatic priorities in Montana
  • Assist in defending ecologically and recreationally valuable rivers in Montana from activities that threaten their water quality, free-flowing character, and outstanding values
  • Help implement media strategies to build popular and political support for our river protection efforts
  • Represent American Rivers and Montanans for Healthy Rivers at meetings, conferences, other public events, and in the press
  • Attend internal and external trainings to build skills in public policy, campaign development, grassroots outreach, and media engagement
  • Collaborate with American Rivers staff in other field offices and participate on other relevant teams including our Wild and Scenic Rivers & Public Lands Team

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Passion for rivers, public lands and engaging people
  • Bachelor’s degree or related experience, with a strong interest in learning about natural resources policy, environmental planning or science, conservation social science and grassroots organizing
  • Strong writing and public speaking skills
  • Desire to work with a variety of stakeholders, organize events and facilitate meetings, and effectively engage with the media and elected leaders
  • Highly organized and able to meet deadlines
  • Excellent team player who supports and inspires others
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Willingness to travel and occasionally work irregular hours including evenings and weekends

COMPENSATION: The salary for this fellowship is $45,000 and is not negotiable. American Rivers offers full-time employees a generous benefits package that includes health, dental and life insurance; four weeks of paid vacation plus paid holidays and sick leave, and a retirement plan.

HOW TO APPLY: Please submit your résumé and a 1-2 page cover letter  at https://americanrivers.bamboohr.com/jobs/ No phone calls, please.  Applications must be received by September 30, 2019.