Delaware River Watershed Fellowship 2019

Background
Make a difference in your community and environment while learning new skills and connecting with other young adults
in the region. Delaware Nature Society is a member of the Alliance for Watershed Education, a network of 23
environmental centers focused on connecting people to their local rivers and to the larger Delaware River Watershed.
This network seeks to hire 23 young people (one at each center) for a 12 week summer fellowship designed to advance
our collective impact across the watershed. This program fosters watershed stewardship by building a team of
ambassadors.

The Delaware Nature Society’s mission is to connect people with the natural world to improve our environment through
education, advocacy and conservation. It operates four sites within Delaware where people experience nature in unique
hands-on ways reaching thousands of visitors each year. DNS works with Wilmington communities through its DuPont
Environmental Education Center on the Wilmington riverfront. To deepen our commitment in making nature education
more accessible we operate the RENEW program, which helps connect Wilmington youth to nature education programs
and activities that make learning about the environment relevant and fun.

Position Summary
The Delaware River Watershed Fellow will serve as an ambassador for the Delaware Nature Society and the Delaware
River watershed by engaging the community, emphasizing the importance of taking care of our local rivers and creeks,
and helping DNS better reach and engage new local audiences in Wilmington. By the end of the 12 weeks of service,
Fellows will be local watershed experts and ambassadors to their community and will have introduced many new people
to their local trails, waterways, and environmental center, as well as the steps they can take to help restore and protect
the Delaware River Watershed.

Position Location: DuPont environmental Education Center, 1400 Delmarva Lane, Wilmington, DE. The Fellow will spend
much of their time in and around the neighboring communities and Wilmington Riverfront.

Responsibilities:

• Engage target communities in the Christina and Delaware Rivers watersheds through stewardship, education,
recreation and civic engagement.
• Complete a required Capstone project to be presented at the end of season Watershed Fellowship Summit. This
individual project should help enhance network goals, deepen the connection and engagement of trail and
water users and expand watershed protection and restoration.
• Participate in regular online interaction with the other Watershed Fellows through an online discussion
platform.
• Greets visitors and interprets the natural and cultural history of the Christina and Brandywine Rivers Watershed
and urban water issues to visitors and the community.
• Engage the Wilmington community, talking with trail users in and around the riverfront and community parks,
providing resources such literature and event flyers.
 • Document through conversation and surveys the communities’ knowledge of and experience with the local
waterways and water issues.
• Lead or assist with environmental education programming. Assist with daily office tasks as needed.
Qualifications and Experience:

• Age 18-24 by June 3 start date.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, and superior interpersonal skills. Understanding of
environmental/social justice concerns relevant to the region.
• Must be people oriented, have a team-focused attitude, and the ability to professionally represent DNS and the
network to the public.
• A positive attitude, as well as comfort working independently as a leader and part of a team, when needed.
• Ability to work in a dynamic fast-paced environment and juggle multiple, changing priorities; strong time and
project management skills needed. Must be self-motivated and willing to work in a flexible, non-structured
environment.
• Occasional evening and weekend hours required.
• Able to lead walks through varied terrain.
• Willingness to learn kayaking and canoeing.
• Able and willing to ride a bicycle along the 2 mile Wilmington Riverfront and associated trails.
• Must be able to get to and from work.
Essential Dates:

• June 3: Fellows start date at Delaware Nature Society.

• June 12 - 14: Required Watershed Stewardship Training (overnight) at Pocono Environmental Education Center.
(Meals, transportation and accommodations provided.) http://www.peec.org/
• August 16: Watershed Fellowship Summit at John Heinz NWR, Philadelphia.
• End of August (Flexible): Last day of Fellowship.
Compensation:

This position pays $12/hr. Fellows will serve 35-40 hrs. /week for 12 weeks.

How to Apply:

Please send a cover letter and resume to:

Dakin Hewlett, Watershed Education Coordinator
DuPont Environmental Education Center
Delaware Nature Society
dakin@delnature.org

Application Deadline: Sunday, April 15, 2019