To Apply: Email cover letter, resume, and references to Johnna Austin at johnna_austin@nps.gov. The deadline to apply is February 14, 2025. Priority will be given to applications received by January 31, 2025. Open until filled.

POSITION SUMMARY

Job Title: Mississippi River Fellowship Coordinator

Location: Mississippi Park Connection/National Park Service Office, Saint Paul, MN

Reports to: Executive Director

Type: Full Time (40 hours/week) Temporary to permanent position

Salary: $21-24/hour

Benefits: Mississippi Park Connection offers generous benefits such as a 401k match (up to 5%), 50% match on health care coverage for you and dependents, paid time off, a $100/month transportation stipend, professional development, and opportunities to recreate on the river.

Mississippi Park Connection is seeking a Full-time Mississippi River Fellowship Coordinator. The Mississippi River Fellowship Coordinator will provide engaging and nurturing support for young adults participating in our Mississippi River Fellowship program. They will provide guidance and resources on how to obtain National Park Service jobs with an emphasis on connecting under-represented populations to career opportunities. The Mississippi River Fellowship Coordinator will participate in recruitment, interviewing, training, managing and evaluation of the Mississippi River Fellowship Program. Looking forward, the Mississippi River Fellowship Coordinator will help expand current youth programs and create future youth development opportunities for Mississippi Park Connection and the National Park Service in the Twin Cities. This is a temporary-to-permanent position and is funded under a special projects allocation. Project term is expected to be six months with an option to continue dependent upon funding and programmatic needs.

The deadline to apply is February 14, 2025. Priority will be given to applications received by January 31, 2025.

About the Mississippi River Fellowship Program: This 10-week fellowship is a paid opportunity for diverse and underrepresented young adults ages 18-25 to explore the different branches of the National Park Service including Visitor Services, Interpretation & Education, Natural & Cultural Resource Management, and the Volunteer Program. The fellows work directly with National Park Service Rangers, Mississippi Park Connection staff, and other park partners to facilitate educational programs, habitat restoration events, and wildlife monitoring on the Mississippi River. For more information about the Mississippi River Fellowship visit our website at: parkconnection.org/jobs-listing/fellowship.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and guide the day-to-day activities for between two and four Mississippi River Fellows during the ten-week 2025 summer season. 
• Develop and maintain relationships with local environmental community organizations and youth groups to promote career readiness programs and services.
• Collaborate with the National Park Service, Mississippi Park Connection and other local environmental organizations to expand career development opportunities.
• Plan, coordinate and execute career focused workshops and activities for the Mississippi River Fellows and other youth career pathways.
• Coordinate and manage logistics for job shadowing days, tabling events and other youth-focused events.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this position successfully, the candidate will have the following qualifications:

• 2+ years of relevant experience in youth development and/or employment programs. 
• A background in educational program management or general program management.
• Experience preparing and delivering in-person workshops and/or training programs.
• Training in, or willingness to receive training in, paddling basics and safety.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to follow work plans, organize details, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and be self-directed, and work as a positive, contributing member of a team.
• Ability to support the mission, vision, and values of Mississippi Park Connection.
• Desire to work alongside the National Park Service and ability to meet federal background requirements.
• Hold a valid U.S. Driver’s License.
• Ability to travel within the Mississippi National and River Recreation Area corridor.
• Lifting up to 50 pounds may be required.

Mississippi Park Connection is an Equal Opportunity Employer

At Mississippi Park Connection, we recognize that our effectiveness is enhanced when equity and inclusiveness are practiced and protected throughout our organizational governance, operations, culture, and staffing. MPC is committed to building a diverse community that is inclusive of people from all backgrounds. MPC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, genetic information, disability unrelated to job or admission requirements, or veteran status.