Delaware River Watershed Fellow

Heritage Conservancy

Start date: June 1-10, 2026 End date: August 21, 2026

The Delaware River Watershed Fellowship is a 12-week, paid summer job opportunity designed to introduce young people from local communities to careers in environmental education. Fellows are hired at one of 20 environmental education centers across the Delaware River Watershed. Fellows participate in training sessions to help prepare them for a summer of helping people connect with nature and informing their local communities about issues affecting the Delaware River, the source of drinking water for 15 million people living in the region.

Heritage Conservancy, a member of the Alliance for Watershed Education (AWE), is seeking to hire a Fellow from the Lower Bucks/Bristol/Croydon area to help connect with local community members around protecting the Delaware River and its waterways.

Position Location: Heritage Conservancy offices are located within Aldie Mansion at 85 Old Dublin Pike, Doylestown, PA. The Fellow will also have the opportunity to spend time working on programs hosted at our preserves or partnering organizations located near Bristol and Croydon as well as throughout Bucks County.

Status: Seasonal

Compensation: Fellows are paid $17.00/hr, 37.5 hours a week over the summer.

Essential Functions:

  • With guidance from their supervisor, Fellows will focus their efforts on a specific Capstone Project and present their work at the end-of-program Summit event (August 14).
  • Fellows will participate in a 3 day watershed education training, at the Pocono Environmental Education Center (overnight, June 10-12.) http://www.peec.org/
  • Fellows will help their host Center lead programs and activities, whether in-person or virtually, for community members and visitors to their site.
  • Fellows will attend in-person meetings with Fellows from other AWE Centers (second week in July there will be three regional meetings with locations TBD, and one All-region meeting on July 31 at Berks Nature Center)
  • Fellows will document their progress by completing a short log report every other week.

The Heritage Conservancy Fellow will specifically:

  • Receive training on and assist with student environmental education, public and community outreach programs and events.
  • Create supplemental educational materials and resources for school and community programs.
  • Utilize community survey data to develop and plan for public programs in Lower Bucks at Heritage Conservancy preserves.
  • Connect with new community groups and partners in Lower Bucks County.
  • Assist with trail and property maintenance, including invasive plant removal and trash clean up, as needed, at Bristol Marsh, Croydon Woods and other preserves in Bucks County.
  • Assist with daily office tasks and other events as needed.
  • Represent themself in a professional and respectful manner throughout the internship in a manner befitting Heritage Conservancy and AWE.
  • Comply with all Heritage Conservancy workplace safety rules and regulations that are in effect during the fellowship.

Qualifications and Essential Skills:

  • Age 18+ by June 1, 2026 start date.A background in environmental education is not required, however enthusiasm for the natural environment is beneficial.
  • Applicants from Bristol, Croydon, or Lower Bucks County, PA preferred.
  • Prior knowledge of natural science is a plus, but not required.
  • Superior interpersonal skills with a commitment to cultural diversity.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills. Detail-oriented and able to plan ahead.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Strong time and project management skills needed.
  • Must be self-motivated, have a positive attitude and willing to work in a flexible work environment.

Additional Requirements:

  • Occasional evening and weekend hours required.
  • Must be available to attend offsite meetings and events.
  • Pennsylvania child abuse clearances required.
  • Must have access to an insured car and valid driver’s license to travel to meetings and programs throughout Bucks County.
  • Ability to endure potentially variable factors associated with outdoor work on occasion, such as weather and uneven terrain.
  • Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
  • Candidates from Lower Bucks County are encouraged to apply.

Essential dates:

  • June 1, 2026: Fellow start date at Heritage Conservancy (Fellows may arrange with their Supervisor to begin any time within the first week of the program.)
  • June 10-12: Fellowship Orientation (overnight) at Pocono Environmental Education Center. (Meals, transportation and accommodations provided.)
  • July 8: Region 3 Meeting
  • July 31: All Region Meeting at Berks Nature Center
  • August 14: Watershed Fellowship Summit (location to be announced).
  • August 21: Last day of Fellowship (Fellows may finish their term of service any time after the August 14 Summit as needed.)

Heritage Conservancy’s mission is to protect and care for the lands of our region, to engage with and share the history that unfolded on these lands, and to connect people with both.

How to Apply

Complete our online application on our opportunities page and email a resume to:
Shannon Fredebaugh-Siller
Director of Education & Community Programs
sfredebaugh@heritageconservancy.org