The Geospatial Project Manager, working cooperatively with other managers and team leads, will be responsible for the management and financial coordination for a portfolio of projects across the CIC team that utilize geospatial technologies to advance conservation, restoration, and other organizational goals. The portfolio of projects includes geospatial data production and analysis, geoprocessing service and other software development, and web-based application development. Project management includes developing contracts and subcontract agreements, tracking progress towards project deliverables in relation to project budget, and overseeing the quality assurance/quality control protocols for project deliverables. The geospatial project manager may also assist the team in other administrative tasks, such as preparing draft budgets and personnel allocations, preparing financial reports and invoices, and data management. This position will work closely with technical staff and program managers to determine realistic timelines and expectations for project completion and then follow-through by overseeing the execution of the project plan. This position will be expected to utilize project planning software, including Asana and Unanet, training will be provided if needed. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  1. Provide day-to-day administrative and managerial support to project teams for a portfolio of projects
  2. Delegate project tasks to team members and track progress in Asana project management software, including establishing anticipated time commitments and expectations for delivery
  3. Support technical staff, including geospatial analysts and data scientists, in prioritizing and planning project tasks and utilization of project resources
  4. Schedule and lead regular project check-ins for internal project teams, collaborative working groups with partners, and project clients/funders
  5. Assist with drafting project proposals and maintaining agreements with a diverse portfolio of partners and clients, including federal and state agencies, non-profit organizations, and private corporations
  6. Manage client relationships and expectations by negotiating and overseeing day-to-day components of client contracts, such as evaluating needs, setting project milestones, making team assignments, and establishing deliverable schedules
  7. Compile deliverables and write project status reports in alignment with contractual timelines. Project deliverables may include cartographic products, web applications, geospatial data, written reports or documentation, analytical methodologies, and/or recorded webinars. Project reporting periods may be different for individual projects and will be established during project scoping.
  8. Assist with the regular submission and tracking of invoices and requests for payment in a timely manner and ensure that payments processed are consistent with Chesapeake Conservancy’s internal policies and grant requirements
  9. Assist program managers in ensuring compliance with all grants and contracts, particularly detailed government grant requirements, including quality assurance project plans and quality management plans

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

The Geospatial Project Manager should be an organized, dependable, and goal-driven individual with a passion for the mission of the Chesapeake Conservancy – conservation, restoration, public access, and stewardship of the Bay and its resources. Candidates should have a good track record for time management, an eye for budgetary needs, and experience delegating numerous project tasks. Experience with geospatial technologies, data analysis, and software development is essential, with preference given to candidates who have experience with cloud-based ETL, collaborative code production, and Agile (or similar) project management tools. Other essential skills include adaptability, independence in problem solving, strong oral and written communication, and an ability to understand technical geospatial projects. The ability to work independently with minimal supervision while functioning within a highly collaborative team environment is a must. Capacity to juggle multiple projects and shifting priorities through short- and long-term planning will be crucial to a successful candidate.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

  • At least 2 years full-time work experience or equivalent training/education in project management
  • At least 3 years full-time work experience or equivalent training/education in geospatial analysis, software development, or data science
  • Proficiency with geospatial/data analysis and software (i.e. ArcGIS, QGIS, Python, R, GEE) and leadership of application development or advanced analysis
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with proficiency in editing and proofreading technical and financial documentation and reports
  • Authorization to work in the United States is required
  • All Chesapeake Conservancy employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19

PREFERRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field (environmental studies, geography, computer science, etc)
  • Experience managing or directly processing large volumes of spatial data, especially through cloud-based ETL tools
  • Experience managing code production by a collaborative team of authors, utilizing version control and Git branching
  • Experience utilizing project management software such as Unanet and Asana
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Training may be provided to candidates interested in pursuing a PMP certificate
  • Previous work experience related to Chesapeake Bay region environmental issues

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Salary and benefits are commensurate with the candidate’s relevant professional experience and/or education, with an expected salary range of $65,000-$75,000. The Conservancy offers a competitive employee benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, participation in a retirement savings plan with an employer match, and an alternate work week. Opportunities for advancement and professional development are available. This position will not support relocation assistance.

LOCATION:

This position will be based at Chesapeake Conservancy’s office in Annapolis, Maryland. The office operates with a hybrid remote/in-person environment with the number of days in the office per month negotiable.

REPORTS TO:

This position reports to the Director of the Conservation Innovation Center (CIC).

TO APPLY:

Please submit your resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning December 12, 2022, with an anticipated start date in February 2023.  Only completed and signed applications will be considered.

 

About the Conservancy

Chesapeake Conservancy is a nonprofit organization based in Annapolis, Maryland, dedicated to ensuring a healthier Chesapeake Bay watershed where fish and wildlife thrive, with healthy waters and abundant forests, wetlands, shorelines, and open spaces. With the human population in the Chesapeake Bay watershed approaching 18 million and growing, and with tens of thousands of acres of open space vanishing each year, the Conservancy works to connect people with the Chesapeake’s wildlife and history, conserve landscapes and rivers, and restore the region’s natural resources. The Conservancy works in close partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency Chesapeake Bay Program, National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Office, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as other federal, state, and local agencies, private foundations, and corporations to advance conservation.

Within the Conservancy, the Conservation Innovation Center (CIC) has become a globally recognized leader in producing data, analyses, and web applications to advance precision conservation and restoration. Through collaborative partnerships, CIC develops innovative custom approaches to leverage high-resolution geospatial data to support informed decision making.  CIC works with leading technical organizations like ESRI and Microsoft to deliver more precise data and bring cutting edge technology and techniques to our work. More information is available on our website at https://www.chesapeakeconservancy.org/conservation-innovation-center/

WE ARE COMMITTED TO BEING A DIVERSE & 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.

For more questions regarding this position please contact Helen Sieracki, HR Coordinator, at hsieracki@chesapeakeconservancy.org.