POSITION OVERVIEW
Parks California is currently seeking to fill a 12-month Climate Fellowship position to advance public awareness of environmental and climate impacts and resilience at California State Parks.
The Parks California Climate Fellow will have the unique opportunity to work with California State Park leadership, Interpretation & Education professionals and environmental scientists to design an Environmental Literacy Training program for park interpreters, partners, and volunteers across the state. The ultimate goal of this work is to raise public awareness of how human activities impact California’s natural resources and how park landscapes and visitor experiences are influenced by our changing climate.
The Fellow’s primary project will be to assist the Interpretation & Education Division to develop internal training resources and coordinate regional workshops to advance climate and environmental literacy and resiliency with an emphasis on such topics as biodiversity, wildfire, watershed protection, sea level rise, extreme heat, severe storms, and changing visitor dynamics.
This position will integrate best practices for environmental and climate communications, develop key messages, and design and test training curriculum with a sensitivity to trauma-informed approaches for multi-generational adult learners. The Fellow will assist in the development and evaluation of a pilot training program, coordinate at least four in-person regional workshops, and facilitate monthly virtual training webinars for staff, volunteers, and park partners.
RESPONSIBILITES
Technical Assistance (40%)
- Researches and summarizes best practices in current environmental and climate literacy guidance and trainings relevant to raising the public awareness of how parks are impacted by human activities and what actions parks and communities are taking to be resilient.
- Provides science communications expertise to assist the Department’s Interpretation & Education function with the preparation of environmental literacy training documents.
- Works with Interpretation & Education staff to prepare and help facilitate environmental training for California State Park interpreters, volunteers and partners by developing and organizing key messaging and concepts; curating content; and drafting curriculum, instructional guides, and supplementary resources.
- Evaluates impact of trainings, gathers feedback, and makes recommendations to improve training program.
Program Coordination (40%)
- Provides coordination assistance and collaboratively develops materials for California State Parks Environmental Literacy Trainings, including agendas, presentations, marketing materials, and other written or visual materials.
- Engage Natural and Cultural resource specialists, field staff, and Interpretation & Education staff to identify key messages and concepts to prioritize in trainings
- Schedules and coordinates quarterly in-person training workshops and monthly educational webinars for Interpretation & Education staff.
- Schedules guest speakers and instructors participate in trainings
- Organizes and participates in relevant meetings related to climate communications, interpretation, and education
Program Administration and Reporting Duties (20%)
- Supports training logistics, including identifying venues and providing meals, and coordinating instructors
- Track project progress, maintain detailed records, and ensure timely reporting on activities and outcomes.
DESIRED EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES
- B.A./B.S. with focus in communications, environmental studies, journalism, natural resource management, planning, or closely related field.
- Highly effective written communication skills, including the ability to translate complex scientific concepts in an accessible manner
- Experience and comfort with public speaking to large groups of diverse adult audiences
- Experience in creating a wide range of communication materials (written, visual, digital) including reports, infographics, videos, and educational resources.
- Knowledge of how to tailor educational materials for different age groups, backgrounds, and levels of understanding
- Basic knowledge of climate science and/or environmental science, with a focus on California ecosystems, principles of climate change, sustainability, adaptation, equity, and resiliency.
- Basic knowledge of public land natural resources management, including such issues as invasive species, fire ecology, ecosystem restoration, etc. is a plus
- Ability to conduct background research and interviews, translate current climate-related research, and use findings to inform communication strategies and educational materials.
- Demonstrated ability to manage projects, coordinate meetings, and collaborate across diverse, multidisciplinary teams
- Ability and willingness to travel periodically and flexibility to work some evenings or weekends
- A passion for California State Parks
- Proficient in MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel and virtual communication and productivity tools.
COMPENSATION & LOCATION
Full-time, one-year limited term basis. A salary range of $62,000 – 65,000, including a comprehensive benefits package, will be offered based on experience.
Climate Fellows must live in the state of California. This position is remote-centered, with a preference for candidates located in the Sacramento, Santa Cruz, or San Franciso Bay Area region. The position will require both remote and in-person work with monthly travel expected throughout the state. The Fellow will work through a matrixed management framework under the general direction of the California State Parks Watershed Program Manager (based in Santa Cruz) and Parks California’s Director of Programs – Climate & Stewardship (based in Sacramento).
TO APPLY
For more information and to apply, please submit a current resume and cover letter HERE.
TIMELINE
Applications will be accepted through April 27, 2025. Estimated start date is early to mid-June.
Parks California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that our overall effectiveness is enhanced when equity and inclusiveness are practiced and protected throughout our organizational governance, culture, and staffing. We are committed to leadership in and serving as a catalyst for promoting equity and inclusion in parks communities.
