The Water Economy Workforce Fellowship Program is a partnership between Cuyahoga County, the Student Conservation Association, and the NOAA Climate Ready Workforce Internship program. The River Operations & Restoration Fellow will gain hands-on experience in river operations, restoration, and recreation management at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, working directly with park staff, partner organizations, and community stakeholders including water trail partners, and volunteer groups. The fellow will support the River Operations and Restoration Team through river patrols, water quality monitoring, visitor management, and volunteer coordination. The fellow will assist with river cleanup initiatives, paddle programs with River Rangers, long-term planning for water trail development, and public engagement activities. The fellow will also support volunteers with various river-focused projects and programs. The primary goal of this position is to support sustainable river operations and restoration while engaging the public and volunteers in stewardship of the Cuyahoga River within the national park.

Schedule

May 26, 2026 - August 15, 2026

Hours: Tues-Sat. 40 hours per week, some weekends and evenings required

Location

Cleveland, OH

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Fellows will work directly with their host site at Cuyahoga Valley National Park on projects related to river operations, restoration, recreation management, and water quality. Fellowship work will vary by project, and may include but is not limited to:

• Monthly river patrols and monitoring
• Water sampling and water quality data collection and/or analysis
• Visitor use monitoring and access management
• Supporting river cleanup paddle programs with River Rangers
• Assisting with volunteers for river projects
• Providing information to and engaging with park visitors and the public
• Working with volunteer groups to plan and execute river-focused projects
• Utilizing volunteers to support restoration and maintenance activities
• Supporting on-river programming and educational initiatives
• Dssisting with long-term planning for water trail development
• Collaborating with water trail partners
• Field work including hands-on sampling, monitoring, and restoration work
• Data management and reporting
• Communications with partners and stakeholders
• Supporting the River Operations and Restorations Team in daily operations and special projects.

MARGINAL DUTIES

• Participate in NOAA Climate Ready Workforce learning and certification opportunities
• Attend Fresh Water Institute convenings
• Support Cuyahoga Valley National Park staff in activities that advance river conservation and visitor services
• Meet with other participants in the program as applicable.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be a recent high school graduate, current college student, and/or recent college graduate
• Must be a minimum of 18 years of age
• Must have the ability to legally work in the US
• Must be able to meet SCA's criminal background check standards
• Valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation
• Ability to work in outdoor environments
• Strong interpersonal skills for public engagement and volunteer management
• Ability to safely navigate waterways and work in outdoor conditions
• Physical ability to perform field work and assist with river operations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Currently enrolled in college or recent graduate with relevant coursework in environmental science, natural resource management, recreation management, ecology, or related fields
• Experience with water quality monitoring, sampling techniques, or environmental data collection
• Familiarity with river ecosystems, aquatic ecology, or watershed management
• Background in volunteer management, coordination, or community engagement
• Experience with paddling, boating, or water-based recreation; Interest in, experience with, or willingness to learn and model water safety best practices for river users
• Hands-on experience coordinating or supporting community events, cleanups, or restoration projects
• Experience working with diverse volunteer groups and community partners; Interest in long-term conservation planning and water trail development
• Strong communication skills, particularly in working with park visitors, volunteers, and partner organizations
• Enthusiasm for river conservation, restoration, and public engagement. 

Age

Adults 18+ 

Living Accommodations 

Fellow may elect to receive either a monthly housing stipend of $1000, or may stay in housing provided by the partner (CVNP) for the duration of the fellowship.

Compensation

$850/week living allowance

$1000/month housing allowance (3 disbursements) or access to partner provided housing

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes

Additional Training and Certifications Available

• Cohort-based networking and learning opportunities;
• Intercultural Competency certification;
• Water quality monitoring training;
• Stormwater infrastructure and maintenance training;
• OSU Stone Lab workshops: https://ohioseagrant.osu.edu/education/stonelab/courses/workshops
• OSU Stone Lab courses: https://ohioseagrant.osu.edu/education/stonelab/courses/cxfg1/water-quality-management

 Additional Position Reference Links: 

• Cuyahoga River Water Trail 
• NWSI 2025 Tenacity on the Cuyahoga: A River Program That Inspires

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.