Climate Fellow

Application deadline: Monday, March 6th, 2023, at 5 p.m. MST.

Anticipated start date: May 15, 2023

About the position

Are you ready to craft an ambitious goal to guide the Trust’s climate action plans and get a taste of a career in collaborative advocacy?

We are looking for a fellow that can conduct rigorous research that will inform the revision of one of the Trust’s most far-reaching goals – meaningful climate action on the Colorado Plateau. This fellow will also assist the energy director, as needed, in an ongoing campaign to permanently protect the Grand Canyon region from uranium mining. Guided by climate reports and climate-related policies at the federal, state, and tribal levels of government, this fellowship will provide someone with valuable experience doing the necessary behind-the-scenes research and analysis that is a precursor to forward-facing advocacy. We are seeking a fellow who can bring a critical lens to the climate change actions already in progress in the Colorado Plateau region, and who can bring forth innovative and inventive ideas for how the Trust can best contribute to this body of much needed work. The end-product – a revised climate change goal for the Trust for the next 5 years – will need to be well aligned with the Trust’s mission, vision and strengths. The Climate Fellowship will also give us the information we need to define and hire the most appropriate full-time addition to the energy team, whose scope of work would fall under the revised climate long term goal and support the program’s uranium-focused advocacy as well.

What does this position entail?

• Gain a deep understanding of the Trust’s mission and vision and what our strengths are as an organization through a thorough analysis of published media materials, a review of our existing strategic plan, and interviews with various program staff as necessary.
• Play an as-needed support role for the energy director in a long-standing campaign to gain permanent protection for the Grand Canyon region from uranium mining. This could include planning logistics, assisting with fast-paced research, and aiding stakeholder outreach.
• Review the Trust’s Colorado Plateau Carbon Emissions Inventory and Carbon Neutrality Road Map, as well as related references and reports to establish a clear sense of what current and historic fossil fuel emissions look like on the Colorado Plateau
• Assemble a comprehensive list of climate action needs and climate action obstacles for the region
• Conduct research and analysis of current and projected national and regional climate legislation
• Summarize current climate related work that is already being done on the plateau by other organizations, government entities, and grassroots groups.
• Craft a revised long-term goal for approval by the board of trustees in coordination with the energy director, conservation director, and executive director

There are skill-building opportunities for you!

• Gain a more complete understanding of the nuances of climate work (it’s not as simple as reducing emissions) and collaborative environmental advocacy in general.
• Organize and add structure to an overwhelming and urgent issue such that it can be discreetly addressed through appropriate and achievable goals and action steps.
• Improve your policy research and analytical skills
• Build/expand your network of climate and conservation professionals
• Help a regionally based, but nationally relevant organization chart the best path forward for meaningfully addressing climate change on the Colorado Plateau

Desired qualifications

• Possess significant pre-existing climate news knowledge at the regional and national levels
• Have a demonstrated understanding of climate actions underway at the federal, state, and tribal levels (the Inflation Reduction Act, federal and/or tribal agency policies/legislation, etc.)
• Ability to transition between conducting an analytical body of research, and suggesting concrete actions to address opportunities that reflect the organization’s strengths and culture
• Experience working with government, especially related to climate policy,law and/or regulation. This experience can be from within government or from the outside as an advocate or engaged citizen.
• Experience with or significant connection to Indigenous communities of the Colorado Plateau
• Critical thinker that can synthesize a large amount of data/information into well written and succinct memos and reports
• Navigator, learner, and leader always looking for the next emerging opportunity to drive the Trust’s work.
• Capable of directing one’s own tasks, with minimal guidance from their supervisor
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues seeking and incorporating feedback throughout the research and analysis process

Note that experience includes lived experience, traditional knowledge, volunteer experience, school or coursework, work experience, and other related qualifications, skills, and experience.

No candidate will meet every requirement. If you’re excited about the position and think you may be a good candidate, we encourage you to apply.

The nitty-gritty

Location

The fellowship can be done remotely, but the individual must be based in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, or Utah. The fellow’s supervisor will be based in Flagstaff, AZ. Travel to Flagstaff or other locations on the Colorado Plateau may be necessary at times–expenses covered at government per diem rates.

Compensation and benefits

$50,000-$60,000 annual salary, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Employment term

May 2023-May 2024

Who would my supervisor be?

Energy Director – Amber Reimondo

COVID-19 precautions

COVID vaccination is required for this position. If you are in need of a reasonable accommodation, contact

How do I apply?

Please send your resume and cover letter to careers@grandcanyontrust.org. Please indicate in the email’s subject line that you are applying for the fellowship, and please put your name in the file names of your resume and cover letter. The application deadline is Monday, March 6th, 2023, at 5 p.m. MST. If you are in need of a reasonable accommodation, contact careers@grandcanyontrust.org.

The Grand Canyon Trust is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in every aspect of our organization. We work actively to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the basis of identity including but not limited to: Race, ethnicity, gender, parental status, national origin, age, religion, disability, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. We actively seek diversity in our candidate pools. Applicants of all identities are encouraged to apply.