"Alerted.org

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26195

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Jamie Sullivan

Manager, Public Lands Transportation Fellows Program

[email protected]

Classification Title Program/Project Lead

Working Title Public Lands Transportation Fellows

Brief Position Overview

The 2026 Public Lands Transportation Fellows Program (https://westerntransportationinstitute.org/professional-development/public-lands-transportation-fellows/) provides paid opportunities to advance the transportation workforce by attracting our next generation of public stewards to the field of transportation— through unique opportunities for career development and public service on key visitor transportation issues. Fellows work closely under the coaching and mentoring of staff of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, to facilitate transportation planning or implementation projects for transportation solutions that preserve valuable resources and enhance the visitor experience. Through service at a unit and region/field office, fellows are invited to incite innovative change in our transportation systems and environmental lands management through significant contributions that advance cost-effective sustainability.

Position Number 4C0139, 4C0367, 4C0368

Department Western Transportation Institute

Division Office of Research and Economic Development

Appointment Type Professional

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA Exempt

Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible Eligible

Salary $52,239 annually

Contract Type LOA

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

The fellows will be hired to serve at one of three National Wildlife Refuges including:

+ Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/minnesota-valley) ( NWR ) in Bloomington, Minnesota

+ Tualatin River (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/tualatin-river) & Wapato Lake NWR (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/wapato-lake) in Sherwood & Gaston, Oregon

+ Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/arthur-r-marshall-loxahatchee) in Palm Beach County, Florida

Transportation fellows who complete their assignment will be eligible for federal non-competitive hiring status for two years following the completion of their fellowship. The transportation fellow, with the help of their supervisor, must demonstrate that specific minimum hour work requirements have been met.

Public Land Corps Service so applicants MUST :

+ Be between 16 and 30 years old at the time when they begin the fellowship, or veterans up to 35 years old.

+ Be U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents of the United States.

+ Possess or agree to pursue a high school diploma or equivalent.

Duties and Responsibilities

As a fellow, you will be an employee of the Western Transportation Institute (https://westerntransportationinstitute.org/) ( WTI ) at Montana State University ( MSU ) Bozeman. Through WTI , you will be provided with an orientation, professional development opportunities, the ability to attend conferences to build a professional network, and transportation mentors to provide you with guidance. Through the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ( USFWS ), you will be provided with an onsite supervisor as well as a workspace and computer.

At the start of their assignment, fellows are provided with a detailed scope of work ( SOW ), including tasks, deliverables, and approximate work schedule to guide them throughout their assignment. Within the first few months of their assignment, fellows will be able to work with USFWS staff to suggest updates to this SOW based on their expertise, passions, and exploration of the refuge.

Some of the potential projects that the transportation fellow will provide support for during this assignment include:

+ Implement projects identified in the Refuge Access Plan (https://www.fws.gov/project/urban-transportation-planning) ( RAP ), including (but not limited to) entryway signage and roadway improvements, multimodal access initiatives (bike, pedestrian, transit, and rails-to-trails), and installation of bike, pedestrian, or vehicle counters.

+ Assist in developing and improving wayfinding tools (e.g., maps and signage).

+ Support grant writing efforts.

+ Conduct stakeholder outreach and engagement.

+ Build community support for local projects.

+ Shadow the USFWS Regional Transportation Coordinator ( RTC ).

+ Participate in a rotation at USFWS Headquarters.

Expectations for the fellow include:

+ Commit to an eighteen (18) month fellowship term.

+ Report to duty at your assigned National Wildlife Refuge.

+ Attend an in-person orientation at Montana State University in Bozeman at the beginning of the fellowship (March 2026).

+ Attend an in-person group training at Montana State University in Bozeman mid fellowship (date TBD ).

+ Complete a rotational assignment (at the USFWS Headquarters Office in Washington DC) for two weeks.

+ Attend twice monthly transportation fellows’ group video conferences, twice monthly individual video conferences with the WTI program manager, and video conferences with a WTI mentor as needed.

+ Attend 1-2 conferences ( TBD ).

+ Present at a poster session during the Transportation Research Board (https://trb-annual-meeting.nationalacademies.org/) ( TRB ) in Washington, D.C. (January 2027).

+ Complete a final report and a webinar that discusses the work completed during the fellowship.

+ Travel for occasional business as needed as part of the effort.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

+ Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in a field relevant to the position with demonstrated interest, experience or coursework focused on developing transportation solutions.

+ Experience and knowledge of common spreadsheet, presentation, graphic, and database tools, as well as GIS or other mapping tools.

+ Demonstrated experience organizing and prioritizing multiple work assignments, meeting deadlines and exercising adaptability with a high degree of accuracy and close attention to detail.

+ Demonstrated experience relevant to assessing transportation needs, evaluating and identifying priorities, and modifying or developing new approaches to solve transportation or access management challenges.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

+ General knowledge of the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Wildlife Refuge ( NWR ) system and a genuine interest in supporting collective goals and willingness to assist with day-to-day tasks and issues.

+ Familiarity with methods for assessing the sustainability and resiliency of transportation assets.

+ Experience assisting in the development and submission of grant proposals.

+ Proficiency in Spanish (for some NWR sites).

The Successful Candidate Will

+ Proven experience in community engagement and relationship building.

+ Strong oral, written, and visual communication skills for effective collaboration with federal, state, and local agencies, interest groups, partners, and internal Service staff.

+ Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail and follow-through.

+ Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in dynamic environments.

+ Strong work ethic with a commitment to quality and responsibility.

+ Open and eager to explore new ideas, tools, and approaches.

+ A collaborative team player who seeks support when needed, gives and receives constructive feedback, and contributes to group success.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

Must possess a valid driver’s license, an acceptable driving record, and meet all State of Montana requirements to operate State/University vehicles.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties? No

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 3

Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search.

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on November 26, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

Required Application Documents:

+ Resume

+ Cover Letter that addresses the following in 1,000 words or less:

+ Interest in contributing to the Federal Lands.

+ Ability to adapt to new situations and people.

+ Relevant experience/knowledge/skills.

+ Writing and/or graphics communication sample:

+ Writing Sample – The purpose of this submittal is to show us your technical writing skills.

+ Graphics Communication Sample – The purpose of this submittal is to show us your GIS skills, graphical skills, and/or marketing skills.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.