Green Infrastructure Specialist

About Friends of the Rappahannock

Founded in 1985, Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) is a 501c3 watershed protection organization based in Fredericksburg, Virginia with satellite offices in Culpeper and Tappahannock, Virginia. FOR works to be the voice and active force for a healthy and scenic Rappahannock River. We accomplish this through three program pillars – advocacy, restoration and education. FOR is an equal opportunity employer. We are inclusive. We believe diversity drives innovation. We are always growing our partnerships and believe it takes a watershed to make a difference.

Position Description

FOR is seeking to hire a green infrastructure specialist to coordinate our stormwater management and green infrastructure work in the Rappahannock River Watershed. This position will work closely with regional soil and water conservation districts to implement the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP), support local governments, MS4 permittees, and planning districts with the development and implementation of stormwater solutions, and work with HOAs and other community groups to address stormwater management concerns throughout the region. This position’s primary department is the Restoration Department. Your supervisor will be the Deputy Director and you will receive support and additional assignments from the Communications Manager, Advocacy and Coastal Programs Director, and Volunteer and Outreach Manager.

This position will work out of our Headquarters Office in Fredericksburg, Virginia located at 3219 Fall Hill Avenue Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401. Flexible and hybrid work schedules are available on a case by case basis. We anticipate this position having a permanent office in Fredericksburg and working in person a minimum of three days per week. This position will also support team members and communities served by our satellite offices as needs and resources allow.

This position is funded through grants and partially through a “fee for service” structure, which relies on the successful completion of project contracts. If you feel you meet two thirds of the criteria below, we encourage you to submit an application!

Primary Job Duties

This position will be our organization’s point person for all stormwater management and green infrastructure related outreach, community education, bmp projects, volunteer projects, and more. This will entail:

  •  Developing digital and printed content for outreach materials to promote VCAP and Green Infrastructure opportunities
  • Organizing and hosting community outreach and education events to promote VCAP and Green Infrastructure opportunities
  • Hosting and facilitating meetings, presentations, and information sessions for local governments, community groups, and other interested parties
  • Leading the development of stormwater best management practices (BMP) projects in the Rappahannock River Basin
  • Support for river cleanup projects
  • Support the recruitment and facilitation of volunteers
  • Use and care of FOR trucks, trailers, and equipment

These tasks require frequent travel to project sites, working outdoors in all weather conditions, physical labor and lifting heavy objects, balancing multiple projects, working independently, with a small team, and with multiple partner organizations. Many projects require evening and weekend support.

Additional Duties

This position will also support a range of other tasks as needed:

  •  Support for riparian buffer project planning, installation, monitoring, and maintenance
  • Support for urban tree planting project planning, installation, monitoring, and maintenance
  • Support and contributions to social media and website content
  • Tabling at outreach and community events
  • Support for regional fundraising efforts
  • Grant writing and reporting

All staff contribute to the maintenance of our properties, vehicles, trailers, equipment and tools.

Minimum Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have the following skills and experience:
● Bachelors degree in environmental science, civil engineering, natural resources management, landscape architecture, ecology or a similar discipline. (5 years of relevant experience may be substituted for education)
● Experience with Esri GIS software
● Knowledge of Virginia native plants
● Experience with collecting field data (soil tests, topographic/stream surveys, infiltration tests, plant/tree ID, GPS data, etc)
● Virginia drivers license and clean driving record
● Experience driving trucks, trailers, and handling power tools and equipment
● Proven ability to work and complete assigned tasks on time and independently
● Experience working and supporting a small team
● Experience contributing photos or content to website, blog, or social media

Preferred Qualifications

● Training via Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) program
● Stormwater and Erosion and Sediment Control Certification
● Urban Nutrient Management Planner Certification
● Experience designing residential stormwater BMPs
● Strong competency with ArcGIS Pro, Survey123, and Arc Collector
● Understanding of VSMP and MS4 stormwater programs
● Strong public speaking skills
● Previous grant writing experience

Compensation

This is a full time, salaried position which equates to 37.5 hours per week. Compensation will be $42,000 to $48,000 commensurate with experience and room to grow with successful completion of fee for service contracts. This position includes a competitive benefits package including: 5 weeks paid time off, 12 paid holidays, 403(b) retirement plan with 3% employer match, health care stipend, short and long term disability insurance, life insurance, professional development opportunities, flexible work schedules, pro deals, and more.

Friends of the Rappahannock commits to a drug free workplace to ensure the health and safety of our
employees and the communities we serve. Friends of the Rappahannock is an equal opportunity employer. We are inclusive. We believe diversity drives innovation. We are always growing our partnerships and believe it takes a watershed to make a difference.

Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, and two references via email to bryan.hofmann@riverfriends.org with “Green Infrastructure Specialist” in the subject line. No phone calls please.