Environmental Collaboration and Conflict Resolution

Rising and Emerging Practitioners Program

Early Career Paid Opportunities

Position Details

Type of Work: Hourly, Part-Time, and Full-Time opportunities
Duration: Ongoing recruitment for projects
Location: Remote with some travel depending on project topic and geography
Compensation: Stipend Part-Time Up To $30,000K Full-Time up to $60,000K

Position Details

Type of Work: Hourly, Part-Time, and Full-Time opportunities
Duration: Ongoing recruitment for projects
Location: Remote with some travel depending on project topic and geography

Opportunity Summary

Kearns & West is recruiting early career Environmental Collaboration and Conflict Resolution (ECCR) professionals to support public policy projects and participate as mentees in a Rising and Emerging Practitioners Pilot Program (REP3).

REP3 seeks to expand access to the ECCR field by providing rising and emerging practitioners from underrepresented communities with training, mentorship, and paid opportunities to work on conflict management and public participation projects related the Department of the Interior and the programs and services of its wide range of Bureaus and Offices.

Current opportunities exist for hourly, part-time, or potentially full-time work on projects located in Northern California (water resources issues), New York (environmental planning), and the Gulf of Mexico (environmental justice), and virtually with a Tribal Government (tribal and indigenous engagement). Other opportunities will become available throughout the year. Apply now for current positions, and to be on the list for upcoming positions.

Why Apply for the REP3 Program?

Build your collaboration, consensus-building, and community engagement skills by practicing what it takes to be an ECCR professional.
Work with an experienced mentor selected from leaders in the ECCR field.
Build your professional network.
Learn to lead ECCR projects independently.
Access career and economic opportunity.

Position Responsibilities

Responsibilities and tasks can vary based on your experience and project needs. Some common tasks expected of the candidate are:

Assist with planning, designing, and implementing public participation meetings.
Attend program and project check-in meetings.
Complete notetaking, logistics, and planning tasks.
Coordinate environmental justice-related community engagement.
Plan and conduct engagement in an impartial manner.
Participate in skills-based training and check-in meetings with assigned mentor(s).
Provide feedback on the mentorship program.
Respect for confidentiality while providing neutral ECCR services.

Attributes, Skills and Experience Sought

Have experience related to underrepresented and/or non-dominant communities.
Passionate about working collaboratively with diverse communities, organizations, Tribal governments, State, and Federal agencies on complex topics.
Curious about or seeking a career providing neutral ECCR expertise.
Interested in the Department of Interior (DOI) mission and the programs and services of its wide range of Bureaus and Offices (www.doi.gov).
Familiarity/proficiency with online communications and meeting platforms, including Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Excel, Word, SharePoint), online whiteboarding tools, Zoom Meetings, etc.
Have six months to three years of experience in one or more of the skillsets/experiences listed below. The candidate may have acquired their experience through informal practice or exposure to experiences that support their capacity to perform the professional duties of this roleor through formal work experience, education, or structured training.
1. Community Resilience Practices: Community organizing, restorative justice, environmental justice, trauma-informed practices, and healing-centered engagement.
2. Collaborative Leadership: Team building, coaching, diversity, impartiality, and inclusion.
3. Group Decision-Making Processes: Consensus building, conflict resolution, cross-cultural humility and competency, negotiation skills, facilitation skills, and alternative dispute resolution.
4. Indigenous Knowledge: Tribal Science, Cultural Resources, and sustainable community resource management.
5. Public Participation: Public outreach and engagement, equitable and inclusive outreach and engagement, written and verbal communication skills.
6. Non-Governmental Organization, Public Sector, Rural, Military Service or Tribal Experience: Applicable experience and actively seeking an opportunity to gain experience and mentorship in multi-party collaboration, consensus building, or alternative dispute resolution.
7. Experience Mediating or Facilitating Public Policy-Related Conflict Management: Applicable experience in collaborative processes and are seeking opportunities to gain experience and mentorship.
8. Interest and/or Experience with Federal Environmental Process: Experience might include National Environmental Policy Act policies and processes, offshore wind projects, water infrastructure projects, etc.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Kearns & West is committed to equal hiring for people from underrepresented communities, which includes persons sharing a particular characteristic or geographic communities that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; disabled veterans, and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality in civic life. At any time, if you need accommodation during the application process, please contact Human Resources at Kearns & West, Inc.

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. EEO/AA/M/F/V/D

Compensation

Kearns & West offers a competitive stipend of up to $30,000 for part-time roles or a stipend of up to $60,000 for full-time roles.

Application Process

Please apply for the Rising and Emerging Practitioners Program by applying and submitting your resume here

What to expect after you apply:

The REP3 team will review candidate resumes on an ongoing basis. If you meet the criteria for the program, you will be entered into a pool of practitioners for consideration on upcoming projects. Key selection criteria includes:
1. Commitment to a career related to consensus building and alternative dispute resolution in environmental, natural, and cultural resources.
2. Leadership, public service, integrity, and consensus building.
3. Knowledge and skills applicable to a federal agency.
4. An understanding of the role of an impartial ECCR professional.
When a position becomes available, we will reach out to appropriate candidates based on experience, geography, and subject matter interest to engage candidates in interviews.
Resumes submitted that match the qualifications will be retained and referenced for future opportunities.

Kearns & West Inc

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