{"id":21477,"date":"2026-06-23T16:00:47","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T20:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pnts.org\/new\/?page_id=21477"},"modified":"2026-06-23T16:58:43","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T20:58:43","slug":"fellowship-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pnts.org\/new\/fellowship-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Fellowship Program"},"content":{"rendered":"
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***PNTS currently has three open Fellow positions.\u00a0 Applications for all 3 positions will open July 1 and close July 22 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.***<\/h4>\n

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Program Overview<\/h2>\n

PNTS, in partnership with the National Park Service, has launched a National Historic Trails Fellowship program designed to build capacity within nonprofit trail associations that promote and care for national historic trails. The program is funded by a grant from the National Park Service.<\/p>\n

Three organizations, the Oregon-California Trails Association, Santa Fe Trail Association, and the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association, will each host a Fellow that will work with them for a year to expand public awareness, community engagement, and education; develop systems to track potential impacts to the trails from external projects; and increase public recreational access to national historic trails.<\/p>\n

This is the first year of what is anticipated to be a multi-year program aimed at building capacity within historic trail associations and developing the next generation of trail advocates and leaders.<\/p>\n

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Position Details & Application<\/h2>\n

Partnership for the National Trails System (PNTS) is hiring 3 National Historic Trail Fellows for 1 year to support the planning, development and protection of 3 National Historic Trails. The Fellows will work with multiple partners and stakeholders to increase public awareness, knowledge, and support for historic preservation and stewardship of the nation\u2019s cultural and historical heritage. Fellowships will begin in September or October of 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Open Positions<\/h2>\n

PNTS currently has three open Fellow positions.\u00a0 Applications for all 3 positions will open July 1 and close July 22 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Applications will be published soon. Please read the full position description before applying.<\/p>\n

Please reach out to\u00a0cara@pnts.org<\/a>\u00a0with any questions about the program or the open positions.<\/p>\n

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Historic Trail Preservation Fellow<\/strong><\/h3>\n

with the Santa Fe Trail Association<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Location:<\/strong>\u00a0Negotiable. Must be in proximity to the Santa Fe National Historic Trail (Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, or New Mexico). Remote\/hybrid work schedule. Travel required.<\/p>\n

Position Description: \u00a0<\/strong>The Historic Trail Preservation Fellow<\/strong> will\u00a0support capacity building and implementation of strategic priorities with the <\/span>Santa Fe Trail Association<\/a> (SFTA)<\/b>. SFTA is the primary nonprofit organization for the Santa Fe National Historic Trail. SFTA\u2019s mission is to<\/span> protect and preserve the Santa Fe Trail and to promote awareness of the historical legacy associated with it. In recent years, a multitude of development projects, such as data centers and telecommunication towers, have been proposed that impact and threaten the purpose, experience and enjoyment of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail (SFNHT).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Historic Trail Preservation Fellow will work closely with SFTA leadership and volunteers to research and monitor these potential threats to the trail including collecting information about each proposed or ongoing development project, communicating with the developers and SFTA chapter members, obtaining digital geographic files and plotting them on a National Historic Trail project mapping application. The Fellow will also conduct outreach, communicate and coordinate with community officials and governing entities, Historic Preservation Officers, landowners and SFTA volunteers. This work will be essential to understanding the full impacts of each development project and provide necessary data to cultural resources contractors who will be able to more accurately plot the location of development projects in proximity to the trail and understand the impacts to high potential segments and associated sites along the trail. The Fellow\u2019s work will provide the needed capacity to increase the assessment of possible impacts to the SFNHT and the ability to avoid adverse effects proactively during the planning and consultation process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This Fellowship position is for individuals that want to make an impact in historic preservation and trail protection as well as build skills in research, data analysis, communication with diverse stakeholders and partners, community education and engagement, and nonprofit management. There may also be opportunities for the Fellow to develop skills in social media, development, and fundraising.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

View the full position description here<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Site Design & Community Engagement Fellow<\/b><\/h3>\n

with the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association<\/b><\/h4>\n

Location: <\/strong>Austin, Texas. This position allows for a hybrid work-at-home schedule with required in-office hours and regular travel to job sites at to-be-determined locations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Position Description:\u00a0 <\/strong>The Site Design and Community Engagement Fellow<\/strong> will work with communities on conceptual site designs for trail projects, and develop and foster partnerships with local entities and individuals, building capacity for trail initiatives by bringing in human and financial resources, while implementing strategic priorities with <\/span>El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association<\/a> (ElCaT)<\/b>. El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail (El Camino Real NHT) is a nationally recognized and protected cultural resource connecting nations, cultures, and places through time. El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association is the primary nonprofit managing partner for the El Camino NHT and seeks to protect the historic integrity of the trail, to educate and engage the public about its significance, and to promote resource development, interpretation, and tourism along its path.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Site Design and Community Engagement Fellow will work closely with ElCaT\u2019s Executive Director to support on-the-ground trail projects at select sites along the El Camino Real NHT, such as developing conceptual designs for retracement trails along porti<\/span>ons of the Camino and\/or site designs for a site on the trail. The Fellow will work locally towards physical trail projects that communities and other partners desire. In doing so, they will enlist communities and businesses in providing financial support to the project and to ElCaT for ongoing efforts at the locale. The Fellow\u2019s work will also raise awareness about the significance of this National Historic Trail, while promoting its protection and development as a historic and economic resource. The Fellow\u2019s work to enhance trail development will improve public access and increase public knowledge of and stewardship of the trail.<\/span><\/p>\n

This Fellowship position is for individuals that want to make an impact in trail development and protection, historic preservation, community engagement and education as well as build skills in <\/span>landscape architecture, fundraising, graphic design, communications, and nonprofit management.<\/span><\/p>\n

View the full position description here<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Marketing, Membership, and Fundraising Development Fellow <\/b><\/h3>\n

with the Oregon-California Trails Association<\/b><\/h4>\n

Location:\u00a0<\/strong> Independence, Missouri\/Kansas City Metro Area.<\/span><\/p>\n

This position requires the Fellow to report to the Oregon-California Trails Association office Monday through Friday. (During the last half of the Fellowship there may be a possibility for a hybrid work-at-home schedule with required in-office hours). This position will include up to 3 weeks of required travel.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Position Description:\u00a0 <\/strong>The Marketing, Membership and Fundraising Development Fellow<\/strong> will support capacity building and implementation of strategic priorities with the <\/span>Oregon California Trails Association<\/a> (OCTA)<\/b>. OCTA is the primary nonprofit organization for the California National Historic Trail and the Oregon National Historic Trail. OCTA\u2019s mission is to protect the legacy of historic emigrant trails by promoting research, education, preservation, public awareness and collaboration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Marketing, Membership, and Fundraising Development Fellow will work closely with OCTA leadership including the Association Manager, Headquarters Manager, President, Executive Committee, marketing committee, membership committee, and fundraising committee to build organizational capacity, increase financial strength and enhance community engagement. This work will include increasing the number of engaged OCTA supporters, engaging new audiences and youth through educational programming and outreach, working with volunteers, and supporting the implementation of a marketing plan for OCTA that will allow for the continued development and implementation of OCTA\u2019s digital marketing program to reach identified audiences at scale to increase awareness of OCTA and generate new income, donors, and members. The Fellow will expand visibility, target a philanthropic audience, grow volunteer leadership, and lay the groundwork for a sophisticated fundraising approach. This work will directly support the preservation of trail landscapes and the integrity of the Oregon and California National Historic Trail corridor.<\/span><\/p>\n

This Fellowship position is for individuals that want to make an impact in historic preservation and education as well as build skills in fundraising, marketing, communications, community engagement, and nonprofit management.<\/span><\/p>\n

view the full position description here<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h6>\n

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Who Should Apply?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Recent graduates, graduate students, or young professionals with interest in building a career in public lands, trail protection or historic preservation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Benefits<\/h3>\n