DCR - Conservation & Recreation Leadership Fellowship

Description:

The Department of Conservation and Recreation's mission is to protect, promote and enhance our common wealth of natural, cultural and recreational resources for the well-being of all. The DCR is steward to one of the largest and most diverse state parks systems in the nation which includes more than 450,000 acres of parks, forests, water supply protection lands, beaches, lakes, ponds, playgrounds, swimming pools, skating rinks, trails, golf courses and parkways. DCR strives to be an exemplary leader in conservation and recreation. DCR's staff is passionate, dedicated, and continuously employs best practices that are informed by expertise, and creates a sense of place through carrying out the mission.

Job Opening:

The Department of Conservation and Recreation, seeks applicants for seven (7) Student Intern - Fellowship contract employment to perform the following duties:

The Department of Conservation and Recreation and in collaboration with Salem State University's Outdoor & Event Management concentration, is seeking seven dedicated and motivated student applicants from Salem State University, to participate in an 11-week paid internship, the Conservation & Recreation Leadership Fellowship.

These contracted positions offer a unique opportunity to apply for and to work with a mentor on one of seven projects in the agency, participate in a certified five-day training program for the National Association for Interpretive Services and engage in weekly leadership seminars at various DCR locations. The Fellow has the opportunity to acquire academic credits from Salem State University under the jurisdiction of Dr. KC Bloom, kbloom@salemstate.edu, if the student has completed at least 45 credits, meet minimum GPA and other requirements.

The cover letter should indicate which Fellowship project they are interested and identify the priority if interested in more than one. They may submit for up to three projects.

Travel is required to participate in the weekly seminar at various DCR properties and for project work. Projects may have different travel needs. All positions will include hybrid work opportunities. Knowledge of data collection methods, Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint are essential for all positions, with some additional software or skills identified under each project. A final presentation will be required for each Fellowship project.

For more additional information on the Conservation & Recreation Leadership Fellowship program and projects, follow this link (copy and paste the link in new tab https://arcg.is/1OX5HL0 )

Please submit a cover letter, resume, project preference rating for up to three projects as part of the application process. One letter of recommendation must be submitted. Additional letters of recommendations may also be submitted.

Fellowship Projects:

Fellow Project #1 Brief History of the Heritage Parks

This project would develop a brief history of the heritage parks movement in Massachusetts and its context at the national and state level to contextualize DCR's heritage parks. DCR's Heritage State Parks were created in the 1970s/1980s to enliven local economies and celebrate industrial heritage, immigrant history, and to preserve historic buildings in downtown areas.

The project includes a Pilot Heritage State Park Assessment to document and evaluate the historic intent, architectural expression, intended/original programming (and audiences), and the use and condition of one heritage park today. See link for full details.

Fellow Project #2 Tribal Nation & Indigenous Communities of MA Plant Database Initiative

This project would research and compile a database of plant materials that are culturally and ethnographically significant to the Tribal Nations and Indigenous Communities throughout Massachusetts for future use in plant selection for the Growing Wild program and other initiatives deemed necessary by the First People's First Stewardship Office. See link for full details.

Fellow Project # 3 Growing Wild Research Project

This project will support the Growing Wild Program in gathering, organizing, and documenting Managed Pollinator Habitat (MPH) data across DCR properties, and the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in ecological research and landscape management analysis, while directly contributing to the conservation of DCR's Managed Pollinator Habitats. See link for full details.

Fellow Project #4 Shorebird and Salt Marsh Community Involvement

This fellowship will provide a unique opportunity for a student to gain hands-on experience in conservation outreach, event planning, and shorebird monitoring, fostering both professional development and a deeper understanding the role of DCR in environmental stewardship. See link for full details.

Fellow Project # 5 Climate Impacts Interviews Project

DCR's Office of Climate Resilience is the hub for climate action at DCR to strengthen the resources under its care so that these sites can better face the impacts of climate change. The Office shares the latest climate knowledge with the entire agency and supports agency efforts to reduce DCR's greenhouse gas emissions, and to strengthen the resources under its care so that these sites can better face the impacts of climate change. See link for full details.

Fellow Project # 6 Lakes & Ponds Program Boat Ramp Monitor Data Analysis

DCR's Lakes & Ponds Program hires seasonal boat ramp monitors (BRMs) each summer to interview boaters as they are launching/retrieving their vessels to educate them and prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS). The BRM program has been in effect for many years and has significant data available for analysis to better understand vectors and pathways of AIS spread. Data has been collected via Survey123 since 2021, whereas paper and excel forms were used in prior years.

This project seeks a candidate to work with the Program staff, review the collected data and proceed with applicable analyses, of their and the Program's choosing, to provide insight and greater understanding of what the BRM data is showing for better understanding the vectors and pathways of AIS spread, assisting the Program staff to develop and implement preventive and/or protective measures at infested and/or vulnerable waterbodies, respectively.

Fellow Project #7 - DCR Calendar

This project would develop a DCR Calendar to be used as a promotional item, identifying events throughout the year for 2026, 2027 and 2028, following the format of the "America's State Park" calendar, and include in the calendar the following: Unique photos highlighting the beauty of DCR parks and the resources we protect, appropriate quotes from notable figures that intertwine with DCR parks. (e.g. a quote from Henry David Thoreau), highlighting celebrations and anniversaries (e.g. XYZ State Parks 50th anniversary), highlighting reoccurring annual programs (e.g. First Day Hikes, Park Serve Day etc.), identifying monthly celebrations (e.g. Black History Month), creating QR codes that will be embedded into the calendar (e.g. QR code for camping season, which reservations tend to start in February), Climate messaging.

Fellow Project #8 - Project Shade

The goal is to create a network of resilient and shaded gathering places across Commonwealth parks that provide safe, comfortable, and equitable outdoor spaces for all, especially vulnerable communities, during extreme heat events. We are strategically installing shade structures and expanding native tree canopy to protect the health and well-being of park visitors and staff, particularly vulnerable populations.

This project will engage the public through different outreach strategies to inform them of DCR's pilot projects and solicit feedback on concept designs.

The fellow will assist, and when comfortable, lead public outreach strategies, meetings, discussions.

This may include on site interviews, surveys (meeting the public where they are), stakeholder meetings, and more traditional in-person and Zoom platform presentations.

The candidate should be able to represent DCR well within our communities: Strong communication skills, including writing and public speaking experience, are required, and fluency in a second language would be an asset to the DCR team. To update web materials and surveys, and synthesize data from surveys and comments, the candidate should have familiarity with software and web applications.

Position Information:

Contracted Student Internship: (Conservation & Recreation Leadership Fellowship)

Location: 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA

Start/End Date: 6/8/25 - 8/23/25

Salary Rate: $22.00 per hour

Weekly Hours: 37.5 hours

Number of Openings: 7 positions

Position Summary:

The Department of Conservation and Recreation and in collaboration with Salem State University's Outdoor & Event Management concentration, is seeking seven dedicated and motivated student applicants from Salem State University, to participate in an 11-week paid internship, the Conservation & Recreation Leadership Fellowship.

The selected Fellows would participate in a unique opportunity to work with a mentor on one of seven projects in the agency that they may apply for under this posting, participate in a certified five-day training program for the National Association for Interpretive Services, participate in weekly leadership seminars at various DCR locations, and has the opportunity to acquire academic credits if the student has completed at least 60 credits, meet minimum GPA and other requirements under the jurisdiction of Dr. KC Bloom, kbloom@salemstate.edu, with the credit approval pathway prior to the start of the Fellowship.

For more additional information on the Conservation & Recreation Leadership Fellowship program and projects, follow this link (copy and paste the link in new tab to review https://arcg.is/1OX5HL0)

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and a letter of recommendation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Valid driver's license and/or access to reliable transportation to and from DCR sites.
• Knowledge of data collection methods.
• Excel, Word and PowerPoint are essential for all positions, with some additional software or skills sets identified under each project as identified in the link listed above "For more information".

Benefits

• Learn about the many roles and responsibilities of DCR with weekly Leadership Seminars
• Gain hands-on experience within the various DCR departments accordance to the selected project.
• certified five-day training program for the National Association for Interpretive Services,
• Opportunity to work on diverse projects within a dynamic and collaborative environment.
• Mentorship from experienced professionals.
• Potential for academic credit or professional development opportunities, subject to preapproval by the collaboration partnership with Salem State University, under Dr. KC Bloom, kbloom@salemstate.edu

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Please see Preferred Qualifications.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.