Augusta County Coordinator

Organization Description
Working to ensure that 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 are champions for clean water, thriving communities, and protected rural landscapes, and we support 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 nine full-time and two part-time employees, with deep community connections throughout the service area.

The Position
The Augusta County Coordinator is responsible for community engagement, local advocacy, communications and outreach to achieve land and water conservation outcomes and support family farms and agriculture in Augusta County, Staunton and Waynesboro.

Supervisor: Executive Director
Location: Hybrid schedule in New Market, Va and remote in Augusta, Staunton or Waynesboro
Job Classification: Full-time

Areas of Responsibility
The Augusta County Coordinator reports to the Executive Director and works closely with the Senior Community Advisor and staff and board at the Alliance.

• Coordinate Alliance program work in Augusta County, Staunton and Waynesboro
  • Work with Alliance staff to create conservation goals and priorities that will result in increased protection of local land and water resources.
  • Cultivate and support volunteer community members that advise and guide the priorities of the position.

• Community engagement
  • Work with Alliance Community Engagement Manager and staff to organize public education and advocacy efforts and develop communications that engage citizens and decision-makers to support the Alliance’s conservation goals in Augusta, Staunton and Waynesboro.

• Promote conservation-oriented land use planning
  • Attend local governments meetings, including as needed the Augusta County Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization, and city councils, to provide Alliance perspective on comprehensive land use plan updates, transportation plans, subdivision and zoning issues, natural resource protection, infrastructure siting and related issues.
  • Work with interested members of the public to provide meaningful public comment to local governing bodies in support of conservation outcomes.

• Participate in statewide coalitions that advance Augusta conservation goals.

• Advance the shared goals of the Shenandoah Valley Conservation Collaborative by working with interested landowners to determine nonprofits or agencies who can help them implement voluntary conservation practices or a conservation easement.

• Fundraising and supporter development
  • Develop relationships with community members who will become long-term supporters of the Alliance’s work.
  • Work with Alliance staff to secure grant funding for local efforts.
  • Work with Alliance staff to update supporter database and conduct regular supporter outreach and solicitation.

Compensation

• Dynamic and flexible work environment, working with people who are committed to making a difference.
• Salary range for most candidates is $45,000- 62,000 depending on experience.
• Generous benefits package including employer-sponsored health insurance, retirement plan, family leave, paid leave and holidays.

Requirements of the Position*

• Passion for protecting the extraordinary landscapes, family farms, and natural and cultural resources of the Shenandoah Valley.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills.
• Flexibility to work nights and weekends and travel to meetings and events.

Preferred skills*

• Knowledge of local land use planning, transportation planning, and local government.
• Knowledge of land protection including conservation easements.
• Connection to Augusta County, Staunton and Waynesboro.

*If you meet more than 75% of the qualifications of this description, we will consider your application.

Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley considers all candidates equally without regard to age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or other non-merit factors. Candidates who apply should have a commitment to the Alliance’s mission to protect land, water, and community resources of the Shenandoah Valley for the future.