Project Coordinator | Chesapeake Conservancy (Annapolis, MD)

Title: Project Coordinator

Reports To: Program Manager

Salary Range: $47,000 – $52,000 commensurate with experience.

Location: The location of the position will follow local guidelines for remote work and social distancing as necessary due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As restrictions are lifted, this position has the option of being based at either the Conservancy’s main office in Annapolis, MD, or at the Center for Environmental Education and Research at Chesapeake Conservancy’s partner organization, Susquehanna University–shared by other Conservancy staff members–in Selinsgrove, PA. Travel to partner meetings primarily in south central Pennsylvania will be approximately 10-25%; travel expenses will be reimbursed. The applicant must possess a valid driver’s license in good standing and have access to reliable transportation. This position is grant-funded for one year (September 2022 – August 2023) with the opportunity to extend pending additional grant funding.

Benefits: The Conservancy offers a competitive employee benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, and participation in a retirement savings plan with an employer match. Opportunities for advancement and professional development are available. This position will not support relocation assistance.

Background: Chesapeake Conservancy is a non-profit organization based in Annapolis, Maryland. We are a team of conservation entrepreneurs. We believe that the Chesapeake is a national treasure that should be accessible for everyone and a place where wildlife can thrive. We use technology to enhance the pace and quality of conservation, and we help build parks, trails and public access sites. As part of Bay-wide restoration programming, Chesapeake Conservancy provides facilitation and mapping support for a partnership of over 60 organizations in south central Pennsylvania. The Conservancy’s work in Pennsylvania leveraging high-resolution geospatial data and online mapping tools to coordinate partners toward collective impact will serve as a model to scale this approach across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

We are committed to being a diverse and welcoming workplace. Chesapeake Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, color, age, sex, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, refusal to submit to a genetic test or to make available genetic test results, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Chesapeake Conservancy understands that protecting and restoring the natural and cultural resources of the Chesapeake Bay watershed requires intentional commitment to inclusive practices and narratives within the conservation movement. Through our work we celebrate and elevate the people, places, and cultures of the region, especially by engaging underrepresented communities. Committing to the values of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice is critical to achieve our vision of a Chesapeake that is healthy, accessible to everyone, and a place where people and wildlife thrive. To that end, we commit ourselves to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice both in our programmatic priorities and our internal organizational development through inclusive recruitment of staff and board members, and fostering a diverse and inclusive culture.

Primary Responsibility: This Project Coordinator will support a growing partnership of local and regional nonprofits, engineering and contracting firms, and county, state, and federal government agencies working toward common environmental goals. This position will support the Program Manager to improve collaboration by helping partners uncover barriers and challenges to implementing restoration practices that improve local water quality and wildlife habitat and support partners to develop and implement solutions. The Project Coordinator is a new position to Chesapeake Conservancy and provides opportunities for growth with additional duties as assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Support the Conservancy’s 30 by 30 rapid stream delisting strategy.

Roles and responsibilities include:

Data management and documentation for rapid stream delisting strategy (25%)

• Supports project and program manager in partner coordination for farmer outreach, project implementation, and sub-award management.

• Compiles data and methodology to support the Conservancy’s efforts to scale the strategy to new geographies and secure new funding for implementation.

• Ties the strategy with complementary programs like infrastructure and pay-for-success models.

In-stream monitoring for rapid stream delisting strategy (20%)

• Manages partner trainings and in-stream monitoring efforts in 39 delisting catchments twice per year.

• Manages training and coordination with restoration partners, landowners, and monitoring partners.

• Coordinates data solicitation requests to PA’s Department of Environmental Protection.

• Produces annual reports on monitoring results.

• Ensures Natural Resources Conservation Service’s monitoring requirements and coordinates training.

On-the-ground restoration support (20%)

• Ensures grant compliance with maintenance requirements for newly implemented restoration projects.

• Oversees projects like the Live Stake Collaborative, Buffer Maintenance, and Volunteer stewardship programs.

• Supports Corps members and interns to recruit volunteers.

Other duties as assigned (20%)

• Supports grant proposal writing and reports.

• Maintains content for the Conservancy’s website regarding Pennsylvania programs.

• Writes press releases.

• Generates content for social media.

Coordinating the Susquehanna University/Chesapeake Conservancy Internship program (15%)

• Works with SU faculty to set up interns with CC staff.

• Coordinates with SU faculty on restoration research.

Required:

• A Bachelor’s degree in agricultural science, environmental resource management, natural resource management, environmental policy, environmental science, or a related field with specialized coursework in in-stream monitoring technical research. Comparable relative work experience may be substituted for a degree.

• Understanding of environmental restoration efforts and monitoring related to water quality and wildlife habitat.

• Strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate both technical and non-technical material effectively to a wide variety of audiences including landowners, contractors, partner organizations, and internal colleagues.

• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage and track workflows integrating programmatic, technical, and financial colleagues who serve as essential partners in delivering high-quality tracking and reporting.

• Demonstrated initiative to advance project objectives and ability to work independently, create and implement work plans, and manage timelines to ensure grant deliverables and deadlines are met.

• Experience coordinating with multiple conservation organizations, building trust and rapport, and maintaining positive, continuous communication.

Preferred:

• Experience with on-the-ground restoration techniques, chemical and/or biological monitoring protocols, agricultural issues, or related knowledge.

• Familiarity with section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDLs), Watershed Implementation Plans.

• Experience with ArcGIS Online and/or development of geospatial web applications is a plus.