2025 Jamaica Bay WETLANDs FELLOwship

POsition description

Organizational Overview  

Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy (JBRPC) is a public-private partnership established in 2013 that is dedicated to improving the 10,000+ acres of public parklands throughout Jamaica Bay and the Rockaway peninsula for local residents and visitors alike. With formal partnerships with city, state, and national park agencies, JBRPC works to expand public access; increase recreational and educational opportunities; foster community stewardship and volunteerism; preserve and restore natural areas, including wetland and wildlife habitats; enhance cultural resources; and ensure the long-term sustainability of parks.

JBRPC’s stewardship programs directly engage thousands of people annually in the restoration and maintenance of public parklands around Jamaica Bay and the Rockaways. In 2024, JBRPC stewardship programs resulted in the removal of more than 11 tons of trash and debris from beaches, coastlines, parks, and wetlands.

JBRPC is seeking 15 individuals for the Jamaica Bay Wetlands Fellowship, a paid 6-month workforce development and job training program for young adults (ages 18–25) focused on skills related to wetlands maintenance, monitoring, and restoration. Fellows will work as part of a team to preserve fragile shoreline ecosystems by maintaining nature-based restoration efforts in Jamaica Bay. The program will be based at Floyd Bennett Field within Gateway National Recreation Area with projects taking place in city, state, and national park jurisdictions around Jamaica Bay and the Rockaways. Fellows will also participate in a series of professional development educational activities, panel discussions, and other experiences to gain knowledge of key challenges and opportunities for nature-based solutions, wetlands assessment criteria and indicators, and valuable hands-on experience restoring one of NYC’s and the region’s most important and dynamic ecosystems –Jamaica Bay.

Program Activities:

  • Hands-on restoration of natural areas including shorelines, marshes and trails

  • Remove invasive plant species and other debris

  • Revegetate treated areas with native species through seeding, planting, and plugging

  • Construct and maintain park trails

  • Support partners’ restoration site monitoring, collect and analyze data, wildlife studies

  • Co-facilitate community volunteer stewardship programs

  • Attend weekly Fellowship meetings and debriefs

  • Attend monthly Fellowship professional development

Program Requirements

  • Interest in New York City and its natural areas, nature-based solutions to climate change, and/or urban environmental sustainability

  • A high school diploma/GED equivalency

  • A commitment to the full 6-month program (see schedule below)

  • Proactive work style, dedicated, punctual, dependable, and a great teammate

  • Must be a New York City resident between the ages of 18 and 25. Preference will be given to qualified applicants who are from the communities that surround Jamaica Bay

  • Must be legally authorized to work in the US

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

  • Work outdoors and in extreme heat or cold (depending on season), including during inclement weather

  • Work in wet, sandy environments, getting in and out of boats, wading in water to access restoration sites

  • Lift up to 50-70 pounds of material or equipment

  • Ability to work in physically demanding situations - bend, lift, pull, push, crouch, stoop, kneel, stand, or bend for long periods

  • Walk for long periods on uneven surfaces

Compensation

The 6-month program will take place from April 1 - September 30, 2025. The schedule consists of:

  • Wetlands Projects: 21 hours/week (Tues-Thurs) 

  • Professional Development: 2+ hours/month (to be scheduled)

  • Program Support: opportunities to work additional hours to support JBRPC stewardship, education, and community programs (to be scheduled based on JBRPC program needs)

Fellows will earn a wage of $20.00/hour worked to be paid twice/month on the 15th and last day of each month. Fellows are classified as temporary non-exempt and as such are not eligible for any employee leave or benefits (e.g., medical and retirement) except those required by law (e.g., sick/safe leave).

JBRPC staff members, including Wetlands Fellows, are employees of the Fund for the City of New York (FCNY). FCNY is an equal opportunity employer.

Application Process Timeline

  • March 7, 2024: Applications are due by 6:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time)

  • February 27 - March 14, 2025: Qualified applicants interviewed

  • March 17, 2025: All applicants notified of their status

  • April 1, 2025: First day of the Fellowship

  • September 30, 2025: Last day of the Fellowship

How to Apply

To apply, fill out the application at the bottom of this page. Candidates must apply through the website to be considered.

For questions or alternative ways to apply, contact us by email: anil@jbrpc.org.

2025 Jamaica Bay Wetlands Fellowship Application

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