The Placement Exchange Job Board

Although open until filled, priority application date is March 5, 2023.

EarthLab has two openings for the position of DDCSP Summer Immersion Field Assistant

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

EarthLab at the University of Washington (UW), Seattle, invites applications for the position of Summer Immersion Field Assistant for the UW Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program (DDCSP@UW). This is a temporary position with variable hours, ranging from 20 to 40 hours a week, scheduled to start on approximately June 1st and end on August 18th, 2023.

This position is an exciting opportunity to support an innovative fellowship program for undergraduates from any major that aims to transform conservation practice and inclusiveness on a national scale. DDCSP@UW is a 15-month program composed of a first-summer undergraduate immersion learning experience in the Pacific Northwest, a second-summer internship with a regional organization, and distance learning and support through the academic year between summers.

DDCSP@UW seeks to support students from underrepresented and minoritized communities in conservation; our ultimate goal is to support scholars in finding a conservation practice and career path that is right for them. The program immerses scholars in biocultural conservation and sustainable management of species, lands and waters, in both urban and rural contexts, and promotes the use of a broad range of disciplines, knowledge and practices. We explore regional challenges and on-the-ground conservation efforts throughout Western Washington, in partnership with researchers, community-based organizations, NGOs, local, state and federal agencies, and Tribal nations. DDCSP@UW centers equity and justice and explores the intersections of biodiversity conservation and environmental justice through critical analysis of human interactions with each other and the rest of the natural world.

DDCSP@UW is committed to shifting the demographic landscape at resource agencies and conservation institutions to more accurately reflect the multitude and multiethnic society of today and tomorrow, and strongly encourages applications from candidates who will enrich that mission. (See http://uwconservationscholars.org/ and https://earthlab.uw.edu/members-and-affiliates/doris-duke-conservation-scholars/)

The DDCSP@UW is a member of EarthLab. EarthLab is a visionary institute that pushes boundaries to address our most pressing environmental challenges, with a current focus on climate and its intersection with social justice. EarthLab does this by connecting the University of Washington (UW) to communities, businesses, non-profits, public agencies, Tribal nations, and others to co-produce actionable research that generates solutions and strategies for local and global impact. EarthLab’s vision, an equitable, just and sustainable world where people and planet thrive, supports one of the University’s biggest goals. As a Carnegie-classified Community Engagement University, the UW aspires to be the #1 university in the world as measured by impact. EarthLab is inspired by and committed to this challenge.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

EarthLab and DDCSP@UW acknowledges the systemic racism that exists in the environmental sector and within environmentalism. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design and deliver solutions. We are seeking candidates who are committed to creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive work environment where all voices are considered and valued.

Position Description

This position supports the Program Director, First-Year Program Learning Facilitator, and Continuing Education Specialist during the summer immersion course, an extensive field tour of conservation practices across a range of ecological and cultural landscapes of the Pacific Northwest for 20 scholars.  This position will support DDCSP@UW staff in the summer immersion experience, which will take place in urban, rural, and front country, and backcountry settings.  This position will support daily logistics, coordination, and facilitation efforts in the effort to create a robust summer field experience for the first-year scholars. The candidate should have experience assisting or participating in outdoor immersion learning. The position will be variable hours, with overtime eligibility. The first two weeks of the position will be training and preparation at approximately 20-30 hours/week. The subsequent two weeks of this position will be to support the first summer staff in the delivery of the curriculum for the on-line component of the summer program (June 19- 30th) and range from 20-30 hours a week. The remainder of this position will involve supporting the travel logistics and summer programming as scholars travel to sites throughout the state for the 6 week in-person component of the summer course (July 3rd -August 11th). This component will require 40 hours a week with occasional overtime. During this component the program will consist of approximately three weeks camping, one and a half weeks spent at UW research stations, and two weeks spent in Seattle. Food, lodging, and transportation will be provided during the time spent in the field, approximately three weeks out of the summer.  Ability to drive with a valid driver’s license and work in person is required for this position.  This position is supervised by the First Year Program Coordinator & Learning Facilitator.


DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A successful candidate will be responsible for the following (approximate time allocations):

Course Logistics (80%)

Responsible for inventory, care, and maintenance of program supplies and equipment throughout summer use; organize and transport items during field visits; clean and pack gear pre & post summer program use.

Drive vehicles to various site host visits across the region and within Seattle.

Support day to day logistical operations in Seattle, at research stations, and camping (camp housing and kitchen set-up and take-down, group role coordination, meal planning, prep and clean-up, etc.)

Support permanent staff and summer immersion field lead in the adherence to daily and weekly timelines for site host visits, activities, curriculum delivery, and camp moves.

Support permanent staff and summer immersion field lead in the instruction and supervision for in-the-field tasks (e.g. camp site set up and maintenance, meal preparation).

Support pre-program preparation logistics as needed.

Student Support (20%)

Assist DDCSP@UW summer leadership staff (Director, First-year Program Learning Facilitator, and Continuing Education Specialist) with new student orientation prior and student participation during the online and in-person summer immersion program.

Uphold and enforce scholar code of conduct and health & safety protocols.

Assess and evaluate potential risks in the field and act in accordance with risk management protocols.

Maintain discretion with personal information about scholars.

Establish & maintain healthy boundaries.


MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

High school graduation or equivalent and 2 years experience with diversity or outdoor education programs or equivalent education/lived experience.

Valid driver’s license and comfort driving an 8-seat vehicle.

Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Certification in first aid and CPR or willingness to obtain certification prior to start of summer immersion program.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.


ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Experience and comfort in field or outdoor recreational settings (e.g. camping, backpacking, student field excursions).


DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants with any or all of the following areas of expertise are especially encouraged to apply:

Completed or working towards a Bachelor’s degree in a conservation-related field.

Alumni of the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program.

Familiarity with the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program or other undergraduate experiential education programs serving students from diverse backgrounds and identities, including people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, English Language Learners, students from low-income backgrounds, students from both rural and urban communities, and recent immigrants.

Experience participating in experiential educational, outdoor leadership, or outdoor recreation.

Experience with peer-to-peer or near-peer leadership.

Good communications skills, including giving and receiving feedback and conflict-management.

Demonstrated ability to adapt to changeable schedules, conditions, and work requirements in difficult or physically uncomfortable conditions.


CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Position is in-person in Washington State. Ability to travel to program sites throughout the state is essential. Travel will occur throughout the 8-week summer course (June 20th -August 14th).


The University of Washington (UW) is located in the greater Seattle metropolitan area, with a dynamic, multicultural community of 3.7 million people and a range of ecosystems from mountains to ocean. The UW serves a diverse population of 80,000 students, faculty and staff, including 25% first-generation college students, over 25% Pell Grant students, and faculty from more than 70 countries.