Title: Project Coordinator/Geospatial Analyst

Reports To: Program Manager

Salary Range: $48,000 – $55,000 commensurate with experience.

Location: Initially, 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 Maryland, 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.

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.

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 will work directly with the Conservancy’s Conservation Innovation Center and with partners to create GIS-based analyses and tools to advance these efforts. The Project Coordinator is a new position to Chesapeake Conservancy and provides opportunities for growth with additional duties as assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Leads data collection and the creation and delivery of geospatial analysis and tools in response to ongoing partner needs.

  • Technical Coordination:  Working within an existing network of environmental restoration professionals, the primary role of this position is to provide technical coordination of restoration, monitoring, and related activities. The project coordinator will work directly with partners to document and manage data related to water quality and habitat restoration and use this information to support decision-making that improves coordination for future efforts. Partners may include restoration scientists, county governments, nonprofit partners, state agency staff, County Conservation District personnel, National Resource Conservation Service staff, and others.

  • Science Delivery: The Coordinator will support the Conservancy’s Conservation Innovation Center to deliver newly created high resolution GIS data to on-the-ground partners and identify and document the ways partners are utilizing this data. The Coordinator will also be responsible for providing science delivery to a growing partnership in south central PA. Initial work is focused on agricultural lands. The incumbent will be responsible for developing and delivering user-friendly tools that address user-defined needs including online spreadsheets, maps, and ArcGIS online web maps and apps. The incumbent will also support efforts to expand GIS-based prioritization and implementation strategies established within south central, PA throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

  • Partnership Development & Civic Engagement:  Civic engagement and partner relationship development activities are an important component of this position. This work will require frequent travel within the Susquehanna watershed to meet with partner organizations. The incumbent will attend meetings and community workshops on behalf of Chesapeake Conservancy, and regularly interact and communicate with current and prospective partners, engaging in public speaking, making presentations, and representing the Conservancy in key meetings and events.

  • Additional Responsibilities:  This position will be a member of the Chesapeake Conservancy staff and will be required to attend regular staff meetings, maintain regular communication with the Program Manager and other Conservancy staff, and provide input on grant reporting and outreach material development.

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. Opportunities for advancement and professional development are available. This position will not support relocation assistance.

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.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Required:

  • A Bachelor’s degree in agricultural science, environmental resource management, natural resource management, environmental policy, environmental science or a related field with specialized course work in GIS analysis.

  • 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.

  • Demonstrated proficiency in data management and delivery using Microsoft Office and Google Drive as well as Esri’s ArcGIS Desktop, Pro, and Online.

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.