Are you interested in social and environmental issues related to cities? Help us launch a new urban conservation program in Milwaukee! The Nature Conservancy has 23 city programs in the U.S., giving you the opportunity to interact with and draw upon a national network of cities staff. As a Cities Conservation Fellow, you will help build relationships with partners in Milwaukee and plan urban conservation strategies based on best practices. This is a one-year fellowship with a start date of early September 2018, based in Milwaukee with some travel to The Nature Conservancy’s Madison and Mukwonago River Watershed offices. The fellowship is aimed especially at recent graduates or those looking to build career experience.
The Cities Conservation Fellow will assist with planning for an urban conservation program in Milwaukee, including building relationships and mapping and advancing conservation strategies over the one-year fellowship. The Fellow will also participate in The Nature Conservancy’s North America Cities Network to bring best practices to the Wisconsin chapter. A primary goal of the fellowship will be to help determine how The Nature Conservancy can best play a role and have an impact on improving social and environmental health in Milwaukee, based on input from partners, community members, and other Nature Conservancy city programs. Possible future focus areas in Milwaukee could include green infrastructure, floodplain protection, urban forestry, and youth engagement. We anticipate that the fellow will work out of Milwaukee with one day/week in either The Nature Conservancy’s Mukwonago or Madison office. This position will require some travel between offices and learning trips to other cities such as Chicago, Green Bay, and/or Detroit.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Assists with planning for a Milwaukee conservation program in coordination with Cities Team coworkers and external partners; presents plan and recommendations to Wisconsin staff.
- Facilitates engagement to build relationships with public and private organizations and community leaders in Milwaukee through meetings and communication.
- Develops strategies to involve diverse communities in urban conservation and address environmental justice issues in Milwaukee.
- Engages with the Cities Network at The Nature Conservancy, including visiting other city programs, and shares knowledge with Wisconsin team. Coordinates regular meetings of the Cities Team in Wisconsin.
- Helps implement pilot projects in Milwaukee as opportunities come up throughout the year.
- Works and communicates with diverse stakeholders such as program leadership and other staff, partner organizations, neighborhood associations, residents and the general public, government officials, government and legislative staff, and board members.
- Coordinates multiple tasks or projects in a timely manner and with attention to detail; makes day-to-day decisions as delegated by the supervisor.
- May occasionally work outdoors in variable weather conditions.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to persuasively convey the mission of TNC to diverse audiences.
- Experience building partnerships with diverse groups and cultivating and maintaining meaningful professional contacts.
- Experience working in or with community-based organizations and/or local governments.
- Valid driver’s license.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Previous experience with or knowledge of communities, social issues, and natural resources of Milwaukee, such as having lived, worked, or attended school in Milwaukee.
- Knowledge of current trends in urban resilience or sustainability policy, practice, and projects.
- Ability to synthesize research and analyze data.
- Comfortable making and maintaining contacts with diverse stakeholders and speaking to public officials or the media on behalf of The Nature Conservancy.
- Experience preparing and presenting project proposals and/or working in partnership with other organizations in a collaborative capacity, or related experience.
- Degree completed within the past 18 months.
- Multi-lingual and multi-cultural experience is appreciated
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.