Maintenance Fellowship

Maintenance And Infrastructure Fellowship Program (MIFP)

Join us. Do work that matters!

In partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MobilizeGreen seeks conservation-minded Maintenance Fellows who want a career opportunity in one or more of the trades with the federal government. Through its partnership with the US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), MobilizeGreen is implementing the FWS' Maintenance and Infrastructure Fellowship program (MIFP) for participants. Fellows will work on a variety of maintenance projects on a network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System.

As a Fellow, you will work in a beautiful setting, learning maintenance, project management, equipment use, and leadership development. Through mentorship and training, Fellows will gain the opportunity to launch their career.

Duty Station and Location: Positions for the 2026 Maintenance and Infrastructure Fellowship Program (MIFP) cohort will be located at FWS refuges and offices across the country:

• Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-tailed Deer - Cathlamet, WA
• Mid-Columbia River NWRS - Othello, WA
• Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery - Leavenworth, WA
• Winthrop National Fish Hatchery - Winthrop, WA
• Aransas National Wildlife Refuge - Austwell, TX
• Fergus Falls Wetland Management District - Fergus Falls, MN
• Wheeler NWR Complex - Decatur, AL
• Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge - Bald Knob, AR
• Chincoteague NWR - Chincoteague Island, VA
• Rhode Island NWR Complex - Charlestown, RI
• White Horse Hill National Game Preserve and the Devils Lake Wetland Management District - St. Michael, ND
• Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge - Brigham City, UT
• Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge - Amargosa Valley, NV
• Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge - Ajo, AZ
• Check out all open fellowship positions here

Term: 26 weeks (6 months), Full-Time (40 hours per week), on-site position. The fellowship is eligible for extension up to 3 years (36 months).

Anticipated Start Date: June 2026

Benefits:

• Hands on learning and job training experience
• Paid orientation and travel to orientation
• Mentorship for career and professional development
• Weekly living allowance ($800 per week)
• Housing
• Relocation assistance (if applicable)
• Health insurance option
• Public Lands Corps hiring eligibility (with successful completion of fellowship). Other authorities may apply

Position Duties:

To successfully complete MIFP as a maintenance professional the student will complete various tasks.

• Complete up to 3,000 hours of On-the-Job Learning (OJL) and a structured curriculum of academic learning emphasizing the four essential attributes to develop competent, capable, multiskilled maintenance professionals and leaders.
• The fellow will work with supervisors, trainers, and MIFP Coordinators to track hours of On-the-Job Learning.
• Participate in one Great American Outdoors Act Strike Force infrastructure project or one Maintenance Action Team (MAT) project every six months. These are larger-scale projects that bring maintenance professionals together from across the region to collaborate and accomplish a goal. The fellow may be required to detail at a location other than their duty station.
• In addition to hours of OJL recorded, each Fellow must complete a Work Process Competencies Checklist. The checklists cover each OJL work process category. Tasks must be completed during the term of fellowship. The intent of this checklist is to guide both the fellow and Supervisor in ensuring OJL time is meaningful and provides diversity of experience for maximum learning.
• Lead a small project where they plan for equipment, labor, supplies and develop a site safety plan at their station. Complete and present a final report of the project that includes photos, cost estimation versus actual expenses, and summary of the work done. This project will be referred to as a Capstone. One Capstone Project will be completed during the first year of the program, then an additional project each six-month increment of the program. The projects will increase in difficulty as the fellow's skills and knowledge increases. A poster on the first capstone will be presented at the closeout ceremony.
• Complete tasks assigned to the fellows by supervisor or day-to-day trainer. 80% of fellows time will be spent completing maintenance related tasks. 20% of fellow's time can be used to complete tasks in other refuge programs ie. Biology, Visitor Services.
• Attend all required MIFP, station and refuge meetings. MIFP meetings will consist of monthly meetings with all MIFP fellows and monthly maintenance cohort meetings. Station and refuge meetings will be outlined by supervisors.
• Effectively communicate scheduling and needs with supervisor and MIFP coordinators.

Specific Tasks and Learning Goals:

• Asset and Facility Maintenance: rehabilitates, repairs, and upgrades various exhibits and structures.
• Vehicle Maintenance: operates and maintains gasoline and diesel vehicles.
• Grounds Maintenance: uses hand tools, tractors or skid steer type loaders.
• General Maintenance: maintains work areas and assists with any maintenance issues that arise onsite.
• Project Management: participates in large-scale collaborative deferred maintenance projects; and/or leads or co-leads a small infrastructure project.

Qualifications/Skills and Knowledge:

• You have a strong interest in the FWS fellowship program.
• You need the ability to interpret oral and occasionally written instructions and specifications and follow safety practices.
• You have skills with or ability to learn the operation of tools and equipment.

Required:

• You must have received your high school diploma or GED by the start date.
• You are at least 18 years old and not older than 30 years old (veterans may apply up to age 35).
• You must be available to serve for 6 or 12 months in a selected location.
• You need the ability to interpret oral and occasionally written instructions and specifications and follow safety practices.
• You have the skill in or ability to learn the operation of tools and equipment.
• You have a valid driver's license.
• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.

Specific Requirements/Preferences:

• Physical Requirements: Work involves both office and field tasks, with activities such as walking on rough terrain, carrying equipment (up to 40 lbs) over long distances, and working in variable weather conditions.
• Position Environment: Duties are performed indoors and outdoors, often requiring travel to remote sites and exposure to temperature extremes, biting insects, ticks, and poison ivy.