About Mass Audubon  

Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries. Explore, find inspiration, and take action at massaudubon.org.  

About this position 

Mass Audubon is committed to creating a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and just organization and to providing greater access to nature for everyone, which is why we created the Environmental Fellowship Program for Early Careers (EFP). Now entering its fifth year, the EFP is a unique program that increases pathways for a diversity of early career professionals into environmental professions. Each 14-month fellowship is hosted within one of five departments/teams: Land Conservation, Conservation Science, Nature in the City, Wildlife Sanctuaries & Education, or Diversity & Inclusion. Our fellows will tackle some of the most pressing environmental concerns of our time while working with a passionate and dedicated team of professionals.  This is an opportunity designed for recent graduates or those beginning their careers with up to one year of professional experience. In addition to professional experience, the fellows are given opportunities for networking, mentoring, and skill development within a supportive cohort model. To learn more about the program, please register for an Information Session which will take place on Wednesday, January 28th at 6PM EST and Monday, February 9th at 6PM EST. 

The Nature in the City (NITC) program is Mass Audubon’s strategic initiative to ensure all residents of Massachusetts’ cities have equitable access to experience thriving natural spaces that are sustained through strong community leadership, particularly in under-resourced communities. Rooted in local community vision, Nature in the City advances this vision through community partnerships that focus on place-based interventions to enhance access to healthy green spaces, build a robust network of cross-sector partners, and advance urban conservation through policy and regulatory action. Over the next five years, the program seeks to restore ecologically impaired sites, increase proximity to greenspaces for 500,000 city residents, expand partner-led nature initiatives, and engage deeply with six cities through a cohort model that fosters local ownership, capacity building, and sustainable impact. 

The Fellow would support the Nature in the City Program and have a diverse set of experiences which could include: assisting in urban greenspace identification, supporting city-based community engagement, applying urban ecology principles, assisting with programming and outreach to the NITC Network, NITC grant program administration, and conducting urban planning policy analysis. In addition, Nature in the City supports the Boston Tree Alliance (BTA) and the distribution of grant funds to support tree planting in Environmental Justice neighborhoods across Boston.  The Fellow may also support the BTA through community engagement, grant administration, and operations. Standard tasks could also consist of assisting with community partner power-mapping, identifying and mapping potential urban greenspaces, developing outreach strategies to promote NITC, and conducting ongoing research on urban land conservation trends in Massachusetts and nationwide. The Fellow would influence their own work plan based on their existing skill base and interest in the field of urban conservation. 

Responsibilities
Primary duties and responsibilities will be divided (80%) between participating in Nature in the City work through collaboration with an interdisciplinary team on different projects.  Additional time will be allotted (20%) for professional development, mentoring, and professional projects.  

The Environmental Fellow would assist the Nature in the City Program staff on the following tasks: 

Nature in the City Program 

• Statewide community partner power-mapping which would include staff interviews, database management, and internet research.
• Evaluation of urban greenspaces using established metrics and selection criteria, which would include exposure to implementation of urban land conservation and protection principles.
• Urban planning policy analysis in select cities to determine a city’s readiness for urban land conservation efforts.
• Ongoing research on urban land conservation trends in Massachusetts and nationwide.
• Support development and programming of the Nature in the City Network
• Collaboration with NITC Program staff on the strategy, direction and operations of the program.

Boston Urban Forestry

• Meeting preparation and coordination, community engagement activities, and other tasks to support the Boston Tree Alliance Program Manager.

Qualifications
At Mass Audubon, our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or you have a less traditional background. We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications: 

Must Haves 

• Must obtain a Bachelor’s degree by the start of the Fellowship. Degrees or fields of study especially suitable for this work include: Biology, Education, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Studies and Sustainability, Ecology, Earth Science, Political Science, Urban Planning, or related field
• Strongly values the critical role that community engagement and environmental education programs play in helping to build healthy, vibrant and equitable communities.  
• Enthusiasm for designing inclusive and equitable learning experiences that support connection to nature and learning about the interdependence of people and nature. 
• Excellent writing and speaking skills
• A growth mindset, with the ability to be self-reflective and an eagerness to improve one’s own skills
• Comfort working in ambiguous situations and the ability to adapt to meet the moment when circumstances and situations shift
• Strong project management skills and an acute eye for detail
• Solid skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook)
• Valid driver’s license, and willingness to travel throughout the state as needed
• Ability to commute to Lincoln, MA at least once a week

Nice to Haves: 

• Interest in developing entry level career skills
• Knowledge of local natural history, conservation, and environmental education
• Experience and comfort living, working, or interacting in cities
• Graphic design, data analysis, program evaluation, GIS, or policy analysis skills
• First Aid and CPR (child and adult) certification (training provided upon hire, if needed)