Community Engagement Manager

Clean River Partners is an environmental non-profit based in Northfield, MN. We envision a community that collaboratively creates and protects a watershed with healthy soils; drinkable groundwater; and clean, fishable, and swimmable rivers, lakes, and streams. We partner with people and organizations to value, protect, and improve the Cannon River Watershed’s land and water. Our core values of building resilience, acting equitably, engaging intentionally, and inspiring hope guide all of our work. CRP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including women, candidates of color, Indigenous candidates, 2SLGBTQIA+, or candidates with non-traditional work or experience backgrounds.

POSITION DESCRIPTION 

The Community Engagement Manager develops, executes, and manages experiences that increase public commitment to and partnerships for water, land, and climate health and environmental justice. This role provides leadership in building inclusive partnerships, supervising support staff, and advising on program direction, while also taking primary responsibility for hands-on program implementation. This position is best suited to someone who is energized by owning both planning and day-to-day execution, and who takes responsibility for ensuring programs meet defined goals, timelines, and reporting requirements.

This is an exempt, full-time position with benefits including SIMPLE IRA matching, paid vacation and sick leave, 15 paid holidays, and a paid office closure from December 24-January 1. The salary range for this position is $53,500-$66,500. CRP offers a flexible workplace. Most staff choose to have a hybrid work schedule, with all staff in the office on Tuesdays.  

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the development, execution, and continuous improvement of Clean River Partners’ community engagement programming across the Cannon River Watershed.
• Collaborate with partners to design and deliver experiences—such as community conversations, workshops, and volunteer opportunities—that build participants’ knowledge, skills, and commitment.
• Build and sustain relationships with communities underrecognized in CRP’s current engagement, including communities of color, Indigenous communities, Spanish-speaking communities, disabled communities, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and youth.
• Advise the executive director on engagement goals and impacts, equity approaches, and priority partnerships.
• Maintain, track, and report on key data related to indicators of success identified in Clean River Partners’ strategic framework and use findings to inform program improvement.
• Prepare grants and other written or public-facing materials that describe program objectives, activities, and impacts.
• Track grant and contract deadlines, deliverables, and reporting requirements, including preparation of contracts, invoices, and reports.
• Supervise and support the development of special staff (such as interns and student workers) and permanent staff as applicable.
• Participate in annual budgeting process and monitor program and project budgets.
• Participate in team meetings and represent CRP on committees.
• As needed, take on additional duties to enhance the work of the team, including, but not limited to, developing documentation or enhancing the systems and tools used by the team

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

Required

• Interest in and commitment to the mission and values of Clean River Partners
• Commitment to equity, justice, and fostering belonging including a proven ability to build and maintain trust-based partnerships across cultures and identities
• Minimum three to five years of relevant experience
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic environment
• Experience delivering and facilitating educational programs, events, and community-based activities programming
• Budget oversight and program management experience
• Experience identifying, tracking, and reporting on key performance indicators
• Experience supervising or mentoring staff, interns, or volunteers
• Proficiency with common workplace technology, including Microsoft Office, Google Suite, spreadsheets, databases, and shared drives.
• Valid driver’s license, access to a motor vehicle, and ability to travel within the Cannon River Watershed and surrounding areas for in-person programming and meetings.

Preferred

• Knowledge/experience with Cannon River Watershed region and communities
• Experience in a nonprofit and/or environmental work
• Experience designing or applying theories of change or logic models
• Experience facilitating and utilizing reflective practices
• Experience writing and managing grants
• Experience developing and applying community-based evaluation tools
• Proficiency in one or more non-English language, especially Spanish, Dakota, Somali, and/or Hmong

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

This role requires a blend of public–facing and behind-the-scenes work and includes regular collaboration with internal staff and external partners. Work is primarily sedentary, although there is some moving, travel, and carrying of heavier items such as bins of activity supplies.

Clean River Partners’ normal business hours are 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM Monday-Friday. CRP’s office is in an office building and in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled, ADA-compliant space. Most staff choose to work a hybrid schedule; we are all in office on Tuesdays. This person will share an office space with coworkers but will have a dedicated workspace and computer. This position requires meeting in various community spaces, including outdoor spaces, for relationship-building, planning, and event delivery. Outdoor spaces will sometimes have rough terrain, steep grades, or inclement weather conditions.

Occasional travel as well as occasional evening and weekend meetings and events will be part of the job.

HOURS OF WORK This position is a full-time, exempt position.  Clean River Partners’ normal business hours are 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM Monday-Friday.