Public Lands Transportation Fellows Program

PLTF Description

The 2023 Public Lands Transportation Fellows Program 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 Federal Land Management Agencies (FLMAs), such as the National Park Service and 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 or 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.

Find out more and apply here.

Position Descriptions Still Available

There are three positions still available for the 2023 PLTF cohort. This includes 2 positions supporting the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and 1 position supporting the National Park Service. The detailed position descriptions can be downloaded below.

• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
  • Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge – Marion, IL (download here)
  • Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex – Ridgefield, WA (download here)
• National Park Service
  • NPS Midwest Region Climate Fellow – Omaha, NE or Lakewood, CO (download here)

Application Process

Applications will begin being reviewed on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 but will continue to be accepted until the positions are filled. 

For applications to be eligible, they MUST be sent to Jaime.sullivan2@montana.edu and include the following items:

• Completed employment application (available online at the link above)
• Resume
• Candidate statement that addresses the following in 1500 words or less:
  • interest in the program and preferred assignment(s)
  • interest in contributing to the Federal Lands and general understanding of federal land management and/or public service
  • ability to adapt to new situations and people
  • experience with GIS and/or data management
  • experience working with budgets, creating reports, summarizing technical information, writing grant applications, and/or coordinating with multiple partners on one project
  • relevant experience / knowledge / skills – do not be afraid to include something that does not seem to be “transportation” related as these other skills and experiences are often what makes applicants stand out
• 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

Anticipated Timeline

• May 17, 2023            Application process opens again
• May 31, 2023            Applications will begin being reviewed. Will remain open on rolling basis until positions are filled.
• June 2023                 USFWS and NPS committees review applications
• June-July 2023        Conduct interviews and reference checks
• July-August 2023    Offer positions, conduct background checks, and complete hiring paperwork
• July-August 2023    Start dates TBD

* Please note that job offers will be made contingent on funding appropriations and qualified applicants.