Job Description
Job Description
POSITION TITLE: Conservation Fellow
DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM: Conservation Communities
REPORTS TO: Conservation Communities Manager
STATUS: Regular, Full-Time
LOCATION: New York City
ABOUT THE OPEN SPACE INSTITUTE
The Open Space Institute protects scenic, natural and historic landscapes to provide public enjoyment, conserve habitat and working lands, and sustain communities. Founded in 1974 to protect significant landscapes in New York State, the Open Space Institute (OSI) is a leader in environmental conservation. OSI has partnered in the protection of nearly 2.5 million acres in North America, from southeastern Canada to Florida. All of OSI’s work is directed by a consistent strategy emphasizing permanent protection on a landscape scale. Each discrete transaction, whether buying a conservation easement on a family farm in the Hudson River Valley or helping fund the purchase of 100,000 acres in Maine, connects natural lands and prevents fragmentation. You can learn about our values here: OSI for Everyone - Open Space Institute
Conservation Communities houses OSI’s fiscal sponsorship program, education grants, and Conservation Fellowship and thus plays a key role in furthering OSI’s commitment to broadening the constituency for conservation. The fiscal sponsorship program, Citizen Action, is OSI’s oldest program and serves as an incubator for bourgeoning, environmentally-focused grassroots organizations. With OSI’s financial and legal oversight, these groups not only become eligible to receive grants and tax-deductible contributions, they are also able to focus more fully on their programming and capacity-building. The participants have ranged from community gardens and land trusts, to environmental educators and promoters of nature-based arts and activities. OSI’s two education grants are the Malcolm Gordon Charitable Fund (MGCF) and the McHenry Awards. MGCF expands the constituency for conservation by reinforcing environmental education program support, focusing on under-resourced communities. The McHenry Awards match exceptional young leaders with environmentally themed projects at nonprofit organizations in New York’s Hudson River Valley. The Conservation Fellowship immerses recent college graduates with a commitment to equity in the various components of conservation, from transactions and land stewardship to advocacy and grant writing.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Conservation Fellowship offers a dynamic opportunity to work alongside the Conservation Communities team at the Open Space Institute (OSI). The Fellow will engage in a broad spectrum of activities that support OSI's mission to protect land for people and wildlife. Throughout the fellowship, participants will rotate through various OSI programs and departments, gaining hands-on experience working directly with conservation leaders in areas such as conservation real estate, park advocacy, stewardship, grantmaking, equity initiatives, operations, communications, legal transactions, and community engagement. Fellows contribute to meaningful conservation goals while developing skills and professional networks that advance their careers in environmental conservation.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Fellows will work alongside OSI staff and work on projects related to some of the following:
- Land Program: Conservation real estate negotiations and acquisitions
- Parks & Policy: Access and improvements to urban parks and state parks and parks advocacy
- Stewardship: Stewardship of protected lands and conveyance (sale, donation, easement assignment) of OSI-owned lands
- Conservation Capital: Grants to organizations based on conservation science research for land protection and information dissemination throughout the conservation community to advance climate-based solutions
- Equity: Projects assessing, communicating, and implementing established organizational equity values and practices
- Operations and Finance: Finance, accounting, and administration of a large non-profit organization
- External Affairs: Communications and Development departments working with partners, funders, and the Board of Trustees to promote our work and raise funds
- Citizen Action: A fiscal sponsorship program for grassroots startups working on environmental education and open space recreation and stewardship
- Legal: Transactions and grants
ADDITIONAL FELLOWSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
In addition to the responsibilities at the Open Space Institute outlined above, the Conservation Fellow will have an opportunity to participate in professional development activities led by the RAY Fellowship Program. Activities may include:
- Communicating and building community with current and previous RAY Fellows.
- Meeting with mentors both inside and outside the host institution.
- Attending professional development webinars, trainings, and other opportunities to build knowledge and skills as scheduled.
- Developing an action plan to support your growth as a leader in conservation. The action plan activity can include opportunities for self-reflection, planning, and assessing progress towards professional, personal, and leadership goals.
- Preparing and leading an hour-long end-of-fellowship webinar highlighting their Fellowship experience.
APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY
Eligible Conservation Fellow applicants will:
- Demonstrated commitment to the mission of conservation and the environmental movement, including a commitment to encouraging inclusion and participation of historically underrepresented groups and individuals in conservation efforts
- Have earned a Bachelor's Degree in a related field by July 2025 (we are not considering individuals with graduate degrees at this time).
- Have not had a full-time job in conservation or clean energy.
- Have the ability to work in the United States and commit to the entire two-year fellowship term.
- Be able to relocate to New York City and work from OSI's midtown office for the duration of the fellowship.
SKILLS / QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with others
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- An eagerness to learn
- Interest in a range of fields relating to land conservation including, ecology, environmental justice, real estate, business, marketing, and a desire to learn new skills
- Availability and commitment to full and enthusiastic participation in all aspects of the Conservation Fellowship
- Familiarity with ArcGIS and AutoCAD
TERM / LENGTH OF ASSIGNMENT
This is a two-year, full-time fellowship (one year with a one-year renewal) starting on or around September 1, 2025.
COMPENSATION
The Open Space Institute offers a competitive starting salary of $63,000 prorated with a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, paid time off, and paid holidays. If relocation is necessary, OSI will cover up to $3,000 (before taxes) for related expenses as a stipend after the start date. OSI also offers training and professional development opportunities.
HOW TO APPLY/APPLICATION
To apply for the Conservation Fellowship Program, applicants must follow instructions on the linked application webpage to submit short answer responses and provide consent for RAY to release your application materials (including your resume, transcript, and application question responses) to the Open Space Institute for our consideration.
Applications must be submitted to the Open Space Institute no later than May 30, 2025.
OSI is an equal opportunity employer. We recognize that our conservation mission is best advanced by the contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, experiences, beliefs, and cultures. We are committed to cultivating and retaining a diverse and inclusive work environment that fosters belonging.
OSI offers accommodations for individuals with disabilities in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to resumes@osiny.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
Consistent with New York State law, OSI does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, height, weight, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We consider qualified applicants with arrest/conviction records for employment.