Climate Resilience Program Manager

Job Description:

With the increase in extreme heat and rain events threatening our social, economic and environmental wellbeing, the Climate Resilience Program is taking a ‘whole community’ approach that centers around equity and justice, empowers all people, and builds capacity to protect Yonkers and Lower Westchester County from climate impacts.  The Climate Resilience Program Manager will lead this initiative, which consists of three main projects:

• Climate Safe Neighborhoods – Working to promote and/or implement local climate adaptation and resilience projects and policies by organizing and empowering Yonkers communities that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Groundwork Hudson Valley has established and runs the Climate Safe Yonkers Task Force which is composed of community members working to accomplish these goals.
• The Saw Mill River Coalition - A dynamic partnership of community groups, government agencies, municipalities, and businesses committed to revitalizing and protecting the Saw Mill River through local stewardship projects and county-wide watershed planning.
• The Yonkers Greenway – A Rail-to-Trail project, designed to be a 2-mile walking/biking path and bike lanes connecting downtown Yonkers to the New York City border. Groundwork Hudson Valley is working in partnership with the City of Yonkers as the environmental and community liaison for the project.

Responsibilities of the Program Manager will include managing community, business, and government involvement to revitalize public places; coordination with other Groundwork staff where appropriate; communication with a diverse mix of public and non-profit partners; project management including oversight of two full time program staff as well as subcontractors involved on projects; and preparation of project plans, budgets and timelines.

The Climate Resilience Program Manager must be a team player but also be comfortable working independently and efficiently on projects specifically tasked to this position as well as on projects for the organization as a whole. Projects are accomplished through collective action and goal setting as well as independent project management. The Program Manager must be able to multitask, think critically, communicate clearly, troubleshoot challenges, and find ways of applying available resources to accomplish goals. The right candidate will also be able to focus on the “big picture” and how it can affect and promote environmental, economic, and social well-being for the community.

Responsibilities:

• Work with diverse stakeholders from local government, technical assistance providers, non-profit and community-based organizations.
• Manage stakeholder engagement and outreach meetings/events and build positive working relationships with new and existing partners.
• Oversee organizing of community environmental stewardship events.
• Develop and deliver presentations, reports, maps, surveys and other storytelling methods for general audiences.
• Lead the development of outreach materials such as newsletters, e-blasts and social media posts with the Communications team.
• Initiate and oversee qualitative research on climate threats, potential actions and resilience strategies.
• Track grant requirements and deliverables from state/federal agencies, private foundations, and other funders.
• Effectively manage Climate Resilience Program staff; delegate planning, coordination, implementation and tracking efforts as needed.
• Manage sub-contractors to deliver research, planning, design, and/or construction objectives in order to implement successful on the ground climate resiliency projects.
• Liaise with Groundwork USA, a national network of Groundwork counterparts, to implement best practices, protocols and lessons learned.
• Lead measurement and monitoring efforts for climate resiliency projects and programs.
• Other responsibilities as required.

Qualifications:

• At least four years of experience managing multiple full time staff members.
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as environmental science, landscape architecture, or urban development and planning.
• Applied work experience in related fields such as urban planning and design, climate adaptation and mitigation, and/or green infrastructure.
• Experience organizing local communities to engage and advocate for neighborhood improvements.
• Familiarity with climate-related issues such as stormwater management, heat impacts, open space, green infrastructure, habitat restoration, and/or climate change adaptation and resilience concepts.
• Experience in public policy and/or working with municipal or state governments, a plus.
• A graduate degree in a relevant field, a plus.
• Ability to negotiate, resolve conflict, and find common ground with stakeholders that may have differing priorities.
• Demonstrated project management and organizational skills; ability to balance competing priorities and deadlines, and to handle multiple tasks.
• Outgoing self-starter with a demonstrated ability to motivate internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Willingness to engage in some evening and weekend stakeholder meetings/events.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including interpersonal networking skills, public speaking, and relationship building.
• Knowledge of Yonkers communities, a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. GIS proficiency a plus.
• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish is desirable but not required.
• Passion for the guiding values and mission of Groundwork, including a commitment to environmental equity and justice.

Application Deadline:   Applications will be accepted on a rolling deadline.

Start Date:  As soon as possible.

To apply:  Send a thoughtful cover letter and resume that speaks to how your experience and skill-set meet the qualifications for this position to info@groundworkhv.org, with subject header Climate Resilience Program Manager.

Groundwork Hudson Valley is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate in any employer/employee relations based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable discrimination laws. City of Yonkers residents are strongly encouraged to apply.