Environmental Education
Fellowship Program
Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center is a public, non-profit residential learning center on Grindstone Lake near Sandstone, MN that provides outdoor educational opportunities to diverse audiences in an intimate setting.
Residential and day-use environmental education experiences for thousands of K-12 students from across the Midwest focus on a selection of adventure, team building, outdoor/environmental education, cultural, natural history and science, wildlife ecology, and renewable energy classes. We are accredited by Cognia, and have over 50 years of environmental education experience and an incredible variety of programs and audiences.
Working at Osprey Wilds as a Fellow is a one-of-a-kind opportunity! Join our team and gain experience in current environmental education methods, as well as knowledge of Minnesota’s unique biomes and natural history through training seminars, direct mentorship, graduate level coursework, and on-the-job learning.
Key Responsibilities
- Teach ecology, wildlife, adventure, and cultural classes to large and small groups of all ages, including evening and weekend programming.
- Serve as the primary representative and host to visiting conference and retreat groups (includes being on-call for overnight visitors and serving food).
- Plan and lead summer camp programming and free-time activities.
- Attend weekly staff meetings and regular training throughout the year.
- Provide basic husbandry for Osprey Wilds Animal Ambassadors, including raptors, corvids, mammals, invertebrates and herps.
- Complete other self-directed projects or projects/tasks as assigned.
Time Commitment
Applicants must commit to a full year and live onsite in communal housing.
Fall cohort: Positions FULL for August 14th, 2024 to August 8th, 2025.
Winter cohort: Positions FULL for December 2nd, 2024 to November 28th, 2025.
Benefits
- Compensation includes a $300/week stipend
- Delicious, healthy meals during the week (when groups are present) made from locally sourced ingredients and produce from our Trapp Farm
- Private room in staff housing adjacent to Grindstone Lake
- Four days off per two-week pay period, 13 PTO days, accrual of up to 80 hours of paid sick leave
- Access to an Employee Assistance Program
- Employee discounts for events and lodging for family members and in the Osprey Wilds store
Program training includes a National Association for Interpretation Certified Interpretive Guide course, Basic Archery Instructor certification, and other industry related certifications. Fellows receive direct mentorship for continued learning in pedagogy, natural history, animal husbandry, curriculum development, and environmental education theory.
Location
Osprey Wilds is located in Sandstone, Minnesota, just 90 minutes north of the Twin Cities and 60 minutes south of Duluth. It’s home to the Minnesota Ice Climbing Festival, Quarry Days, and Banning State Park.
Fellows get to live and work on a campus of 780 acres of coniferous and mixed hardwood forest, creek, prairie, and wetland areas as well as a 152-foot glacial lake.
Graduate-level Education
Osprey Wilds provides 10 paid graduate credits through Hamline University towards a Master’s degree in Natural Science and Environmental Education (onsite in-person classes; $5,637 value).
Learn more about our staff and Animal Ambassador program:
Thinking about applying? Need more info?
Feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns, or inquiries to:
Ashley Bozman, Fellowship Coordinator
Email: bozman@ospreywilds.org
Phone: (320) 245-2648 ext. 111
We also offer positions for those who can not commit to a full year or who are not yet 21. Please inquire above if you are interested in our Summer Internship or Substitute Educator positions.
Alumni Network
Are you a past intern or fellow? Connect with our Alumni Network!
Fill out their brief survey to get started!
Environmental Education Fellowship (1-Year, Winter Cohort)
This fellowship can begin in January or February, 2024 and ends on December 27th, 2024; There are 2 positions available.
Applications are currently being accepted on a rolling basis with priority given to those who apply by January 31st, 2024.
To apply, please email your cover letter (explaining why you want to work in the outdoors with children), resume, and three references (at least 2 professional references) to:
Ashley Bozman, Fellowship Coordinator
Email: bozman@ospreywilds.org
Phone: (320) 245-2648 ext. 111
Alumni Network
Are you a past intern or fellow? Connect with our Alumni Network!
Fill out their brief survey to get started!
Environmental Education Internship
Dates are flexible due to your internship requirements
The anticipated start date is June 19, 2023 through August 11, 2023.
There are two positions available. Applications will be considered upon submission
To apply, please send your cover letter, resume, and three references to:
Ashley Bozman, Fellowship Coordinator
Email: bozman@ospreywilds.org
Phone: (320) 245-2648 ext. 111
Farm Fellow
Position dates: This fellowship can begin as early as May 2022 and end as late as November 2022. There are two positions available. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.
To apply, please send your cover letter (including your available start and end dates), resume, and three references to:
Jill Rudolph, Operations Director
Email: rudolph@ospreywilds.org
Phone: (320) 245-2648 ext. 118