Voyageurs National Park Winter Night Sky Field Fellow
Seeking enthusiastic student to join the Voyageurs Conservancy and the National Park Service team at Voyageurs National Park in Northern Minnesota! This Fellowship is onsite at Voyageurs National Park.
The primary duty of this Fellow will be:
Tom Larson
Lead and assist with Night Sky programming within Voyageurs National Park;
Develop a guide to night sky viewing with education team;
Create a guide to light pollution and create a plan for outreach to gateway businesses to the effects of light pollution in relation to quality dark skies;
Support development of night sky programming, specifically the Boreal Stargazing Week in February;
Assist in volunteer recruitment of local night sky volunteers;
Establish and test a citizen science night sky meter reading program;
Occasionally support visitor engagement at a Voyageurs National Park Visitor Center.
Voyageurs Conservancy recognizes the barriers and lack of representation that affects equal access to the outdoors. We believe our parks, and their partners, should strive to make a representative future of public land professionals.
Professional Development
The Fellow will regularly engage in relevant professional development opportunities, and will develop an end-of-term portfolio or communication project that could be shared with future employers.
Stipend and Reimbursement
Voyageurs Conservancy believes stipend reimbursement is necessary to create an accessible Fellowship experience. Stipends are determined by the weeks/hours served. Full-time Winter Fellows should anticipate a $1,000/month stipend.
Housing will be provided if needed and there will also be support for work-related mileage.
Qualifications
Required:
Must possess valid driver’s license
Major in natural resources, environmental education, or related field.
Must be comfortable working outdoors during the day and after dark in changing weather and sometimes adverse conditions.
Preferred:
Night sky education experience
Telescope experience
Dates
The Fellowship will last for up to 16 weeks (January - April); however, accommodations can be considered dependent on the Fellow’s class schedule. Depending on the candidate, Fellows can expect to work 35-40 hours per week in the field.
Contact Information and Deadline
If you are interested in this opportunity, please send a cover letter and resume to Mark Miller at mark_miller@nps.gov by November 3rd, 2023. Feel free to send questions to Mark at that email address as well.
About Voyageurs Field Fellowship
In response to the landscape of unpaid internships and entry-level positions requiring prior field experience, the Voyageurs Field Fellowship offers paid opportunities and professional development for undergraduate and graduate students. Fellows experience the extraordinary ecosystems and cultural treasures of Voyageurs National Park and represent the next generation of public lands professionals, while acquiring the field experience needed for career advancement. The Fellowship is designed as an opportunity for land stewards and scientists at the beginning of their careers to develop crucial experience without taking on financial burden.
This program is jointly managed by the National Park Service and the Voyageurs Conservancy - the official nonprofit partner of the park.
We welcome applicants of all races, age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, abilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Students who qualify for the Federal Pell Grant program are encouraged to apply.
Banner photo by Tom Larson
