Community Engagement Coordinator

Community Engagement Coordinator 

Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association (LSRA) seeks a Community Engagement Coordinator to join our growing, interdisciplinary, and highly collaborative team. 

Job Description

The Community Engagement Coordinator (CEC) will be well-rounded, detail-oriented and a self-starter. They are self-sufficient and can work independently and in a team. They are committed to environmental justice and protecting and preserving our water resources. Our ideal candidate has strong organizational, speaking and teaching skills. Candidates should be able to look at processes and determine the system that will enable and sustain success, as well as have strong organizational practices that align with our values. The CEC implements environmental education programming, hosts educational community workshops, coordinates LSRA events and outreach efforts, grant writing, and any tasks assigned by the Executive Director or Deputy Director. This role is responsible for building, maintaining, and managing LSRA’s volunteer base. The CEC will report to the Deputy Director. 

About Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association

Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association is a licensed Waterkeeper® organization dedicated to improving the ecological health of the Lower Susquehanna River Watershed and the Chesapeake Bay. The organization works across the Lower Susquehanna Watershed that encompasses 22 counties in PA and 2 in MD. With law and science, we collaborate with local communities to build power, fill gaps in regulatory enforcement, and push back against water injustices and irresponsible development. The Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper patrols the river for illegal pollution, and when necessary, enforces environmental laws to protect the river and communities that depend on it.

Responsibilities

 Education

• Develop and update educational content centering LSRA’s mission and programs, that align with PA STEELS standards and Meaningful Environmental Educational Experiences to include topics water quality + stream ecology, leading to student-led action projects
• Work collaboratively with the Deputy Director and Education Committee to maintain the Environmental Education Team’s objectives, key results, programming, scheduling, financials, and protocols.
• Partner with local educators to facilitate authentic learning experiences for schools, community groups and summer programs.
• Build relationships to collaborate with community partners on educational opportunities and projects that center Title 1 schools
• Facilitate student and adult experiences including paddling trips, stream studies, hikes, social engagements, etc.  
• Evaluate the short term and long-term outputs, outcomes, and impact of all programs through surveys, assessments, and reports centering equity in the evaluation methods.
• Support the Deputy Director with grant writing, reporting, and implementation.
• Support the communications team to produce outreach materials, social media content, podcasts, and digital campaigns that highlight programming stories and work to increase engagement in future programs.
• Maintain and handle education equipment including classroom materials, field equipment, paddling equipment, trailers, etc.

Engagement

• Support the planning and promotion of fundraisers, events and cleanups.
• Manage event registration and RSVP along with sending confirmation emails to participants
• Recruit and manage volunteers and/or interns, including developing, coordinating and facilitating orientation and ongoing training
• Coordinate and attend tabling opportunities at local events, festivals, and fairs to share the mission of LSRA, the functions and values of the river system, and recruit members of the public to assist with efforts to protect, preserve, and improve water quality
• Research and solicit funding for supplies and resources to support community engagement

The Community Engagement Coordinator reports directly to the Deputy Director. This job involves flexible hours sometimes including working after hours, evenings and weekends.

Qualifications & Requirements

Highly competitive candidates will have some combination of the following:***

Required

• BA/BS in education or BS in biology (or Aquatic Science, or Environmental Science), OR equivalent years of experience working in the teaching and/or environmental sector or outdoor recreation sector.
• Commitment to stewardship, conservation, and connecting people to the natural world
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision and with a sense of urgency to complete tasks accurately and on schedule.
• Possessing excellent written and verbal communication skills, and public speaking skills
• Possess a self-starter attitude
• Ability to manage multiple functions, projects, and timelines with a positive attitude.
• Access to reliable wi-fi connections, computer, video conferencing, and phone at home.
• Must be flexible and open to changing priorities and needs, including working hours (some weekend and evening work required)
• Ability to swim and comfortable with water recreation activities, like kayaking
• Able to lift 40 pounds, hike up to 5 miles and work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
• Able to lead students to safety in the event of an emergency
• Commitment to centering communities most impacted by pollution and applying programming and outreach with a racial justice lens in order to advance justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Desired

• Experience in nonprofit work
• Experience managing volunteers, community partners, students is a plus
• Proficient paddling skills with the ability to refine skills for group safety
• Familiarity with CRM software, email platforms, social media and website functions.
• Proficient in Microsoft and Google Suites
• Experience managing and maintaining equipment for outdoor recreation, such as trailers, kayaks and life jackets
• Proven experience in planning and executing public events, campaigns, educational programs. and engagement strategies.
• Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply (especially those who speak Spanish).
• A love for the Susquehanna River Watershed.

***Research shows that some individuals are more hesitant to apply for a job because they may not meet all of the qualifications listed. The candidate hired may not precisely meet all of these qualifications, but will show the desire and capacity to grow into the role and fit within our small, close-knit team. If you feel passionate about our efforts and believe you have the skills to contribute to the growth of our organization, we want to hear from you.

The Community Engagement Coordinator will obtain real world experience in the non­profit business world, environmental education and gain exposure and education regarding the challenges facing our natural resources. The CEC will receive experience in the core workings of a nonprofit business and have opportunities to attend regional conferences and professional development. There will also be numerous opportunities to network with a wide variety of environmental non-profit organizations, educators, environmental decision makers, politicians and other individuals working in the environmental sector of PA & MD. This opportunity will be both demanding and rewarding and allows a chance for the individual to help promote our mission.

Schedule/Location

We allow for flexible work schedules so our staff can be responsive to community needs and balance work and personal responsibilities. Some local travel is required. Our staff meets in person once per week, and when necessary or beneficial, this position will be expected to meet with staff and partners or attend other events in person. Given the place-based, community-centered nature of this work, the applicant must live within the Lower Susquehanna Watershed. Hybrid working is permitted. 

Work authorization/security clearance requirements

• CPR certification, provided by the organization
• Must have a valid PA driver’s license
• LSRA will assist you in obtaining the following clearances:
  • National Service Criminal History Check
  • Sex Offender Clearance
  • IdentoGO Fingerprinting Clearance
  • PA Child Abuse Clearance

Application Instructions

For equal consideration, please send a resume and letter explaining your interest to devin@lowsusriverkeeper.org with subject line “Community Engagement Coordinator”.

 Our Non-Discrimination Policy:

The Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring, and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients. 

The Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.