Community Conservation Director, Potomac Conservancy – Maryland

Organization: Potomac Conservancy

Position Title: Community Conservation Director

Location: Silver Spring, Maryland

Dates and compensation: This is a full‐time position (40 hours per week) with a competitive salary that will reflect the experience and skills you bring to the job.  In addition to staff outings on the river, benefits include medical and dental coverage; 18 days paid time off per year; 10 holidays per year; working with bright, fun coworkers; and interacting with an engaged board of directors.

Application Deadline: January 14, 2015

Description: The Director of Community Conservation directs the outreach and public engagement work of Potomac Conservancy and reports to the President. Through our Community Conservation program, we mobilize thousands of volunteers in hands-on work to raise awareness, inspire action and empower our friends and neighbors to make a difference in their communities.

This is an exciting leadership position at the heart of the most vibrant, nimble, river-centric environmental organization in the region today. Founded in 1993, Potomac Conservancy is the area’s leading clean water advocate advancing an agenda to ensure the Potomac River boasts clean drinking water, healthy lands, and connected communities. We combine the grassroots power of over 10,000 members and online activists with local land conservation and policy initiatives to strengthen the Voice of the Nation’s River.

You will be joining an entrepreneurial team of dedicated staff members who seek to improve water quality for the Potomac and its tributaries by mobilizing and growing an impassioned base of river advocates to impart change at the local and state levels. As Director of Community Conservation, you will be responsible for outreach activities and events that build community amongst individuals within targeted geographies in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Specifically, you’ll lead innovative and engaging recreation and environmental stewardship opportunities. In addition, you will also be responsible for the recruitment and management of the Conservancy’s volunteers and engaging them in important local clean water policy initiatives when appropriate.

Responsibilities:

• Help to shape the overall strategic direction of the community engagement programs;
• Implement and assess community engagement initiatives that help folks have fun along the river and “get their hands dirty;”
• Conduct high-level outreach and relationship building with a diverse array of volunteers;
• Manage, train, and recruit a special contingent of volunteers to represent the Conservancy at the River Center and community events;
• Create appropriate systems to recruit, track, retain and upgrade volunteers and other program participants in a central database;
• Draft compelling promotional emails, social media posts, and other communications;
• Assist in developing and writing blog posts and articles for the website and newsletter;
• Help coordinate grassroots support for Potomac Conservancy policy campaigns;
• Track and manage grants which fund Community Conservation activities.

Qualifications: This is a demanding role that requires energy, drive, and talent in a wide range of areas with 3‐5 years

of outreach experience. The core competencies include:

 Ability to plan, implement, and adapt programs that engage and inspire.

 Project, staff, and volunteer management skills.

 Outstanding interpersonal capabilities with strong written and oral communication skills.

 Professional judgment, self‐motivation, and results‐oriented delivery on short timelines.

 Strong strategic, creative, and innovative thinking.

 Strong teamwork skills with an ability to work independently without close supervision.

 A commitment to diversity and working with diverse populations in the DC metro area.

 A passion for protecting our local lands and waters, and connecting people this mission.

 Fluency in English is a requirement. Fluency in other languages is desirable, especially Spanish,

but not necessary.

 Flexibility to work some irregular days and hours, including evenings and weekends.

How to Apply: To be considered, please submit a compelling cover letter, along with your resume and at least 1 writing sample to [email protected] with “Community Conservation Director” in the subject line.