Local recruitment: Seasonal Delaware River Watershed Fellow

Job Details

• Job Location: WILMINGTON, DE
• Position Type: Seasonal
• Salary Range: $16.25
• Job Category: Education

Delaware River Watershed Fellowship (Full-Time/Hourly, Non-Exempt, Seasonal) 

Site: DuPont Environmental Education Center (1400 Delmarva Ln., Wilmington, DE 19801)  

Schedule:  Monday – Friday 9am-5pm, may include some weekends and evenings  

Dates: June 9, 2025 – August 22, 2025 

Mission 

Founded in 1964, the Delaware Nature Society (DelNature) is a state-wide, non-profit organization that aspires to be inclusive and multicultural, celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity in nature and people. Our mission is to connect people and nature to create a healthy environment for all, through education, conservation, and advocacy. DelNature delivers hands-on environmental education and conservation programs at four sites: Ashland Nature Center (HQ), in Hockessin, DE; DuPont Environmental Education Center, in Wilmington, DE; Coverdale Farm Preserve, in Greenville, DE; and Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, in Milford, DE. At these and other sites, we also manage over 2,000 acres of land, including four nature preserves. DelNature is a state affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. We envision Delaware as a place where people view themselves as part of nature and understand that nature is essential for life; recognize the immediacy of addressing environmental issues; and take pride and joy in caring for the natural world. 

About the Alliance for Watershed Education 

Organized in 2016, the Alliance for Watershed Education of the Delaware River is a regional initiative of twenty-three partnering environmental education centers. Each of these centers is located along the Circuit Trail or a major connecting trail, and on waterways throughout the Delaware River Watershed in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. 

Position Description  

Delaware Nature Society (DelNature) – DuPont Environmental Education Center (DEEC), a member of the Alliance for Watershed Education (AWE), is seeking to hire a Fellow from Wilmington to help connect with local community members around protecting the Delaware River and its waterways.  

The Delaware River Watershed Fellowship is a 12-week, paid summer job opportunity designed to introduce young people from local communities to careers in environmental education. Fellows are hired at one of 23 environmental education centers across the Delaware River Watershed. Fellows participate in training sessions to help prepare them for a summer of helping people connect with nature and informing their local communities about issues affecting the Delaware River, the source of drinking water for 13 million people living in the region. 

This position reports to: Youth Development Coordinator and Education Coordinator 

Essential Dates  

– June 3, 2025: Fellow start date at DuPont Environmental Education Center (DEEC), (Fellows may arrange with their supervisor to begin any time within the first week of the program.) 
– June 11-13: Fellowship Orientation (overnight) at Pocono Environmental Education Center. (Meals, transportation, and accommodations provided.) 

– August 15: Watershed Fellowship Summit (location to be announced). 
– August 22: Last day of Fellowship (Fellows may finish their term of service any time after the August 16 Summit as needed.) 

Responsibilities 

• Participate in a 3-day watershed education training, at the Pocono Environmental Education Center 

• Create and present a Capstone Project with guidance from supervisors and mentors  

• Assist with programs and activities community members and site visitors  

• Engage visitors and teach the public about the natural and cultural history of the Christina River Watershed  

• Interact with the Wilmington community through nature outreach, providing hands-on environmental education activities, talking with trail users about their outdoor experiences, and promoting upcoming DelNature events 

• Support the Youth Development Coordinator with the Trail Ambassador program  

• Attend virtual webinars and in-person meetings with Fellows from other AWE Centers 

• Meet with mentor (AWE Center staff or past Fellowship alumni) twice per month 

• Complete a short log report every week to document fellowship progress  

• With guidance from their supervisor and mentors, Fellows will focus their efforts on a specific Capstone Project and present their work at the end-of-program Summit event (August 16). 

 Work Environment and Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• The employee frequently is required to sit and reach and must be able to move around the work environment.  

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and be able to carry, move and set up necessary supplies and equipment. 

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust. 

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  

• Ability to plan, lead, and participate in program activities in a variety of indoor and/or outdoor settings, weather, and terrains. 

Salary and Compensation 

Pay is set at $16.25/hour working a full-time (35-40 hours per week varied schedule) for 12-weeks.  

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY – Delaware Nature Society considers candidates for all positions on the basis of qualifications and without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, genetic information, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital status, or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran or other protected classification and in accordance with applicable federal, state & local laws. 

   Qualifications and Experience 

• A background in environmental education is not required. 

• Interest in the environment and working in the outdoors 

• Comfortable interacting with the public and ability to professionally represent DelNature and the Alliance for Watershed Education 

• Have a positive, team-focused attitude, work well with others, and be willing to learn new things 

• Good oral and written communication skills; experience using social media is a plus 

• Ability to ride a bicycle along the 2-mile paved Wilmington Riverfront and associated trails 

• Willingness to learn kayaking and/or canoeing 

• Ability to get to and from work  

• Available to work 35-40 hours (about 3 days) per week during fellowship period  

• Age 18 by fellowship start date  

Additional Considerations  

  Preference is given to Wilmington residents or locals of Wilmington, Delaware