Conservation Diversity Fellowship

Expanding the circle of conservation

The Open Space Institute’s Conservation Diversity Fellowship, started in 2016, seeks candidates with a commitment to equity, pursuing professional experience in the conservation field. The Fellowship offers one college graduate a one-year, full time, paid position (competitive starting salary of $60,000 prorated with a comprehensive benefits package, sick leave, and PTO) working alongside full-time staff based out of OSI’s New York City home office. OSI’s multifaceted programs will give the fellows wide-ranging experience in the conservation field. Fellows will have the opportunity to work on a rotation of projects related to the following, based upon their education and desired career path.

• Conservation real estate transactions, acquisitions, and dispositions
• Access to urban parks, state parks, and the stewardship of protected lands
  
• Conservation science research and information dissemination
• Administration of grant funds to partner organizations for land protection and environmental education
• Finance, accounting, and administration of a large non-profit organization
  
• Executive and development departments working with partners, funders, and the board of trustees

"Protecting land for the public motivates us. Our goal is to ensure that these lands serve all people. Yet we recognize that the conservation field has fallen short in reaching diverse communities. OSI seeks to develop future leaders through exposure to professional opportunities in conservation, as well as create a more inclusive work setting by bringing new voices to the table," said Kim Elliman, President & CEO of OSI. Learn more about OSI’s equity work here.

Read this interview with OSI's first Conservation Diversity Fellow Dyaami D'Orazio, and learn about her year spent “in the trenches” with OSI!

To download the Conservation Diversity Fellowship brochure, click here.

Eligibility

• Interest in pursuing a career in a conservation and / or environmental related field
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission of conservation of the environmental movement
  
• Interest in advancing environmental justice and inclusivity within conservation
• College graduate with demonstrated academic excellence (GPA, course selection, and leadership)
• Availability and commitment to full and enthusiastic participation in all aspects of the Conservation Diversity Fellowship
• Working out of OSI’s midtown office in New York City and participating in the Fellowship for one year beginning in late summer of 2023
• Eligible to work in the United States

The selection process, including a potential interview, will take approximately four to six weeks. Please use the online application form here.

• Resume or CV
• College transcript
• Statement of Purpose (750 words or less)

Two Letters of Recommendation that may be from a professor or recent employer emailed to [email protected].

The application is due on April 16, 2023. To receive email updates about the fund, sign up here. Candidates interested in being considered for a two-year fellowship should apply through the Ray Diversity Fellowship.