Trust for Public Land (TPL) is seeking a Parks Research Fellow who is passionate about elevating the role of local parks and open space in addressing some of the most critical health, climate, and equity challenges facing communities today. The Research Fellow will manage one of TPL’s primary annual data collection efforts (the City Park Facts survey) and will assist with projects related to park equity and policy, including research and education tasks as necessary. This role will work directly with local government and non-governmental park organizations across the country, collecting key data and information and helping synthesize that information into actionable insights.
Working with staff from both TPL’s Land and People Lab and 10-Minute Walk team, this position will help advance TPL’s work to support city partners’ commitment to advancing 10-minute walk park access and equitable park systems. Research topics that the Fellow may support include best practices for parks and urban planning and the economic and public health benefits that parks provide people.
This position is a 12-month fellowship with potential for extending the term, based on funding availability. This position can be performed remotely with a preference for candidates who are close to one of our many TPL offices: TPL Office Locations
A core goal of this program is to provide opportunities for early career professional development for those interested in entering the world of urban parks. Key skills you will gain from this fellowship include:
- Opportunities to meet, network, and collaborate with park and recreation staff in a wide range of cities across the country.
- Training and experience in data science, including GIS, SQL, and survey methodologies.
- Coaching and individualized professional development.
- Strong understanding of the key strategies to elevate the importance of city parks.
Essential Qualifications:
Desired Experiences:
As a full-time non-exempt employee, the candidate will be eligible for Trust for Public Land’s comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation and sick pay, plus holidays, and a 403(b)-retirement plan, currently with an up to 7% company match. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience; the anticipated hiring range for this position is $55,000-65,000.
- Passion for parks, people, and working together
- Positive attitude, with interest and ability to develop client and partner relationships, being sensitive to balancing research aims with clients’ and partners’ needs
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively on a geographically distributed team and with staff in other departments
- Detail oriented and organized
- Willingness to adapt and remain flexible as projects and priorities change
- Comfort with problem-solving data
- Experience with data analysis software programs (e.g. Microsoft Excel functions)
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Commitment to the full fellowship term (12 months)
- Minimum of a 2-year AA degree from an accredited college or university
Desired Experiences:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in urban planning, parks and recreation, geography, community development or related fields
- Experience working with any of the following types of software:
- GIS data using Esri software (ArcCatalog, ArcPro, etc.)
- Advanced data analysis software (e.g. SQL, R, advanced Microsoft Excel functions, Tableau, SurveyMonkey)
- Relationship Management software (MailChimp, Salesforce, etc.)
- Experience performing background research, preparing narrative reports, tables, charts and presentation graphics
- Experience structuring large datasets for quantitative analyses
- Experience communicating research findings to specific audiences
- Experience with local government policies and structures
- Experience as a community advocate and/or community service
As a full-time non-exempt employee, the candidate will be eligible for Trust for Public Land’s comprehensive benefits program which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation and sick pay, plus holidays, and a 403(b)-retirement plan, currently with an up to 7% company match. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience; the anticipated hiring range for this position is $55,000-65,000.