CAB Fellow (Graduate Student)
Academic Year 2026-2027
Highlights
- This position is open to graduate students only.
- Hourly rate: $19/hour
- Expected hours per week: 10
- Modality: Hybrid; regular on-site meetings and field trips required
- Dates: August 2026 - May 2027
Apply on Google Forms: https://forms.gle/fzwbhQH3iKQusroX6
About the Lovejoy Center
The Lovejoy Center for Bridging Biodiversity, Conservation Science, and Policy is a center at the University of Arizona housed within the Arizona Institute for Resilience. Guided by Thomas Lovejoy's scientific work and unwavering optimism, the Lovejoy Center advances the science and practice of biodiversity conservation through research, education, and cross-sector collaborations. Our team works with conservation science and policy, connecting university research with the people and organizations working towards conservation solutions at scale in the Sonoran Desert, the Amazon, and beyond.
Community Action for Biodiversity (CAB) Fellowship Overview
The CAB Fellowship is a graduate program run by the Lovejoy Center at the University of Arizona that pairs experienced graduate students with local organizations working on conservation and environmental education. CAB fellows during the 2026-2027 academic year will be paired with Ironwood Tree Experience (ITE), a Tucson-based nonprofit focused on outdoor education for youth. CAB Fellow will support ITE's WATER (Water Advocates Training in Ecology, Equity, and Resilience) program, a three-way partnership between Pima County Regional Flood Control District (PCRFCD), ITE, and local high schools. The WATER program opens up the urban landscape as a dynamic environment for learning, connection, and action, building watershed literacy, environmental leadership pathways for youth, and community-rooted resilience to climate change and flooding.
PCRFCD designs, builds, and maintains green stormwater parks across Pima County: engineered sites that reduce flooding by holding water and supporting native plants and animals in neighborhoods throughout the region. These parks serve as outdoor classrooms for the WATER program's field days and internships.
Position Overview
The incoming CAB fellow will work closely with the returning Senior CAB Fellow to support ITE's WATER (Water Advocates Training in Ecology, Equity, and Resilience) program.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Coordination, Administration, Communication
- Meet regularly with the CAB fellowship advisor at the Lovejoy Center for fellowship development, grant writing support, and check-ins
- Attend 1-2 coordination meetings per week with ITE staff off campus at ITE’s office for curriculum development, field day planning, post-field day debriefs, program development, and internship planning
- Coordinate with the other CAB fellow on curriculum development and semester planning
- Track and report fellowship hours and activities to the Lovejoy Center coordinator
- Regularly respond to email correspondence with ITE and the Lovejoy Center
- Write and submit a ‘blog post’ about fellowship experience and learnings
- Engage with professional development activities across the university
- Create 1-3 written deliverables a month for inclusion in the newsletter, website, or social media
Curriculum Development
- Develop and refine science-focused, half-day lesson plans and activity guides for high school students participating in WATER program field days and internships. Curriculum topics include green stormwater infrastructure, native plants, soil, insects, and urban/local ecology.
Field Work
- Field Studies for Schools (FSS): Co-facilitate field days with ITE staff at green stormwater parks for high school classes. The fellow serves as the science expert for students: teaching how the site functions, leading hands-on science experiments, and supporting students' connection to the natural environment. Class sizes range from 5 to 30 students. The fellow should be confident enough to lead a science activity independently when needed. During peak season (October, November, February, March), field days run 1 to 3 days per week.
- Teacher Professional Development (TPD): Co-facilitate workshops for grade 7-12 teachers introducing green stormwater parks, student curriculum, and strategies for incorporating local green infrastructure into classroom teaching.
- Scout and evaluate potential new field trip sites in coordination with Pima County.
Note: Fellows carpool from ITE’s office to field sites; a personal vehicle not necessary
Optional Professional Development
CAB Fellows are encouraged to apply to participate in the Transdisciplinary Research Academy that runs in the Spring, a monthly professional learning program focused on skills for conducting research that integrates academic expertise with the knowledge of community members, practitioners, and policymakers to address complex environmental problems.
Learn more about the Transdisciplinary Research Academy: https://impact.arizona.edu/transdisciplinary-research-academy
Minimum Qualifications
- Active University of Arizona graduate student in good academic standing and enrolled in at least 6 credits
- Commitment to community-based work, outdoor education, and youth development
- Comfort leading hands-on science activities for high school students (class sizes of 5 to 30)
- Flexible schedule to accommodate off-campus meetings and field days, including the ability to reach ITE's office at the Historic Y (738 N. 5th Ave, near the streetcar line) multiple times per week
Preferred Qualifications
- Working proficiency in Spanish
- Training or coursework in a science field relevant to the program (ecology, biology, environmental science, soil science, entomology, or related disciplines)
- Experience developing lesson plans or educational materials
- Experience working with high school-aged youth in outdoor or informal learning settings
- Familiarity with green stormwater infrastructure, native Sonoran Desert plants, urban ecology, or related topics
Application
Please submit the application through Google Forms, which will ask for your resume and cover letter.
- Cover letters should describe your interest in the position, relevant experience, and anything else you would like the committee to know about why you would be a great fit for the Lovejoy Center and the position.
Hiring Process
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The committee will begin reviewing applications on June 5th, so we encourage you to apply before that date if you can. Interviews will be scheduled beginning the week of June 8th, but will continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Start Date and Contract Renewal
This position is intended to start on Monday, August 3, 2026 and end in May 2027. If there is strong alignment with the program, there may be an opportunity for successful fellows to return for a second year and become a Senior CAB Fellow.
Supervision and Support
This position is supervised by the Lovejoy Center Program Coordinator and mentored by the Senior CAB Fellow.
Allowable Work Hours
Please note that during the semester, student employees are limited to 25 hours/week (20 hours/week for international students) across ALL U of A positions.
This position expects 10 hours a week and is work-study eligible.
International Students
International students should consult with International Student Services (ISS) if work authorization is needed before securing this role. ISS advising information can be found here.
Questions About This Position?
If you have any questions about this position or trouble submitting the application, please contact Lovejoy Center Program Coordinator Phoebe Meixner (pmeixner@arizona.edu).
Apply on Google Forms: https://forms.gle/fzwbhQH3iKQusroX6