Organization Description

Working to ensure the land, water, and community resources of the Shenandoah Valley will be protected for the future, Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley is a 501(c)3 nonprofit formed in 2018 through a merger of five long-standing Valley organizations. The Alliance serves six counties – Augusta, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Frederick, Page and Warren – and the cities within them. The Alliance staff, directors, and supporters champion clean water, thriving communities, and protected rural landscapes. Based in New Market, Virginia, the Alliance serves as a hub for the partnerships needed for conservation work throughout the Shenandoah Valley. The Alliance is led by a talented and engaged volunteer board of directors and a staff of five full-time and two part-time employees, with deep community connections throughout the service area.

The Shenandoah Valley Conservation Collaborative (SVCC), administered by the Alliance, is a partnership of land trusts, watershed groups, regional nonprofits, and state and federal agency partners working to accelerate land conservation and water quality restoration in our region. Together, partners are working with interested landowners and communities to bring the resources and expertise to achieve shared goals in water quality, agricultural vitality and protected rural landscapes.

The Position

The Project Manager advances the shared goals of SVCC members by building collaborative capacity and coordinating implementation of conservation programs and practices. This is a new three-year position, funded by a grant award from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Job Responsibilities

I. Build the Collaborative Capacity of the SVCC – 35%

Coordinate SVCC by working with partners to:

  • facilitate agreement regarding partner roles and expectations
  • establish shared processes for communications, decision-making, and conflict resolution
  • create a system for ongoing improvements of SVCC internal processes through evaluation and adaptation
  • increase the shared expertise of SVCC partners by facilitating cross-training in conservation skills including implementation of federal and state cost-share programs, land protection and stewardship of conservation easements

Build momentum for post-grant SVCC work by:

  • networking with similar partnerships in other regions
  • coordinating and implementing communications, including press opportunities to highlight SVCC projects when appropriate
  • developing activity reports, financial reports and annual reports to describe the work accomplished, planned and initiated
  • identifying new opportunities for SVCC to accelerate water quality restoration and land protection in the Shenandoah Valley beyond the initial three-year grant cycle

II. Manage SVCC’s landowner outreach and conservation program implementation (50%)

Facilitate landowner outreach and recruitment by:

  • coordinating SVCC prioritization and strategy choices to maximize landowner participation
  • planning and implementing landowner outreach activities, such as targeted marketing, one-on-one meetings, field days and farm tours, or farmer-to-farmer outreach

Provide overall coordination from initial landowner contact to implementation of conservation practices:

  • engage SVCC partners as appropriate for technical needs, funding opportunities, and conservation programs
  • compile a toolbox of available conservation programs and services available to landowners in the Shenandoah Valley
  • create systems of evaluation and adaptation for improving SVCC progress towards conservation goals through evaluation and adaptation

Support partners’ efforts to secure funds through grant writing, fundraising or other financing to enable landowners to implement conservation practices or conservation easements.

III. Manage the administration of the SVCC (15%)

  • Supervise the SVCC Conservation Field Assistant
  • Complete administrative tasks associated with staff position at Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley
  • Administer the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant including tracking and reporting on nutrient reductions, documenting matching funds, managing partner sub-awards and contracts

Compensation

Dynamic work environment, working with people who are committed to making a difference.
Salary range for most candidates is $55,000- 65,000 depending on experience.
Generous benefits package and paid holidays and leave.

Requirements of the Position

  • Passion for protecting the extraordinary landscape and natural and cultural resources of the Shenandoah Valley
  • Initiative to grow the impact and durability of a place-based collaborative from its early stages
  • Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills
  • Experience and/ or education in leading collaborative processes such as facilitating interest-based negotiation and managing productive conflict processes
  • Ability to engage in systems thinking
  • Experience and/ or education with land protection, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Soil and Water Conservation District landowner cost-share programs, and/or natural resource restoration and stewardship
  • Familiarity with Shenandoah Valley and/or experience working with agricultural and forestal landowners in rural communities
  • Minimum Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, environmental science, organizational management, or public administration or related fields; Master’s degree is preferred but not a requirement.
  • Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Office; Experience with ESRI GIS is a plus but not a requirement.
  • Valid driver’s license.

To apply

Send a cover letter, resume, and three references to employment@shenandoahalliance.org. Position is open until filled. Interviews with qualified candidates will begin the week of June 29, 2020.