Project Manager

Chesapeake Conservancy – Annapolis, MD

Chesapeake Conservancy, a nonprofit organization based in Annapolis, Maryland is seeking a Project Manager to support their geospatial technologies team, the Conservation Innovation Center.

ABOUT THE CONSERVANCY

Chesapeake Conservancy is a non-profit 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 watershed approaching 18 million and growing and 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 National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Office, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Chesapeake Bay Program Office, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as other federal, state and local agencies, indigenous tribes, private foundations, and corporations to advance conservation.

Chesapeake Conservancy’s Conservation Innovation Center (CIC) has become a recognized leader in producing data, analyses, and web applications to advance precision conservation and restoration. We have partnered with industry-leading organizations like Microsoft and Esri to help define the next generation of environmental data.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Project Manager, working cooperatively with the Program Managers, 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. Project management includes developing contracts and subcontract agreements, tracking and updating project budgets based on salary and other project expenses, and overseeing the quality assurance/quality control protocols for project deliverables. The project manager will also assist the team in other administrative tasks, such as preparing draft budgets and personnel allocations, preparing financial reports and invoices, and server/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. 

Essential functions include:

Project Management:

  1. Provide day-to-day administrative and managerial support to project teams
  2. Delegate project tasks to team members and track progress in Asana project management software
  3. Support GIS Analysts in prioritizing and planning project tasks and utilization of project resources
  4. Schedule and lead regular project check-ins with project clients and partners
  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. Managing 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. Compiling deliverables and writing grant/contract reports in alignment with project timelines. Project deliverables may include cartographic products, web applications, geospatial data, written reports or documentation, analytical methodologies, and/or recorded webinars
  8. Assist with the 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

Financial Planning and Administration:

  1. Conduct day-to-day management of project budgets, including monitoring expenses and maintaining records in budgeting software
  2. Support CIC Management Team by performing monthly review of project finances and personnel time allocations, making adjustments to project plans as needed
  3. Assist with the preparation of budgets and narratives for new proposals and grants
  4. Assist with the preparation of annual program budgets and quarterly financial reviews for the Conservation Innovation Center in consultation with Program Managers, the Conservancy’s Finance team, and the Vice President of Technology
  5. Lead project reporting as required by funders. Update internal grant deliverable tracking system and fulfill reporting requirements.

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 week negotiable.

Salary and benefits are commensurate with the candidate’s relevant professional experience and/or education, with an expected salary range of $55,000-$70,000. The Conservancy offers a competitive employee benefits package that includes health and dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, paid vacation, sick and family leave, and participation in a retirement savings plan. Opportunities for advancement and professional development are available.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with an anticipated start date in June 2022.

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.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

The Project Manager should be an organized, dependable, and goal-driven individual with a passion for the mission of the Chesapeake Conservancy – public access, conservation, and education 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. Other essential skills include adaptability, independence in problem solving, strong oral and written communication, and an ability to understand technical geospatial projects. While this position is not directly responsible for producing contract deliverables, they will be tracking and reporting on highly technical project components–baseline experience with geospatial technologies is a preferred quality. The ability to work independently with minimal supervision, while functioning within a highly collaborative team environment is essential. Capacity to juggle multiple projects and shifting priorities through short- and long-term planning will be crucial to a successful candidate.

Job Requirements:

  • At least 3 years full-time work experience or equivalent training/education in financial management and project planning is required
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field (environmental studies, geography, computer science, etc) is desired
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is preferred, but not required. Training may be provided to candidates interested in pursuing a PMP certificate.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and database management
  • Experience utilizing project management software such as Unanet and Asana is desired
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with proficiency in editing and proofreading technical and financial documentation and reports
  • Proficiency or familiarity with geospatial/data analysis and software (i.e. ArcGIS, QGIS, R, GEE) is strongly preferred
  • Previous work experience related to Chesapeake Bay region environmental issues is desired
  • Authorization to work in the United States
  • All Chesapeake Conservancy employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19