Greenways Program Coordinator

Opportunity Description – The Neponset River Watershed Association (NepRWA) is looking for a full-time Greenways Program Coordinator with an interest in urban planning and community engagement. The Coordinator will work closely with the Association’s Greenway’s Director, Executive Director, and a wide variety of community volunteers. 

Program Background – NepRWA’s Greenways Program works to open up and activate recreational access opportunities in communities along the River and across the Watershed, particularly in historically underserved and environmental justice neighborhoods. This includes protecting and improving open space and parklands, as well as advancing new trails and multi-use path connections to better link natural and recreational spaces across the Watershed. We work to build a stronger and more diverse constituency for the Neponset and public access improvements through public education, community and volunteer engagement, organizing and advocacy. 

Duties 

• Help plan, manage and publicize programming and events along the DCR Neponset Greenway Corridor and other areas of the Watershed.
• Help represent the NepRWA Greenways program at meetings of community-based organizations and build strong partnerships with these groups.
• Help organize volunteer opportunities to support maintenance and improvement of parkland spaces, including recruiting and cultivating volunteers.
• Assist with advocacy, engagement and planning activities aimed at improving riverfront and parkland access around the Neponset Watershed.
• Become familiar with the River corridor and help identify and develop park and trail extension opportunities, potentially by using GIS analysis.
• Assist in leading public and committee meetings to collect public input on trail extension options.
• Actively engage residents of environmental justice communities, and ensure their priorities are reflected in NepRWA’s work.
• Participate in and learn about the daily functions of an environmental non-profit as needed.

Where and When – Typically, work occurs at the Neponset River Watershed Association office (2173 Washington Street Canton, MA) and in the field throughout the Lower Neponset River in Dorchester, Quincy, Mattapan, Milton, Hyde Park and other Watershed communities. There will be a mix of working remotely with weekly ‘check-in’ Zoom meetings, meetings in the field at project sites, and ‘in office’ meet ups. 

The Coordinator will be responsible for working 40 hours a week, with a flexible schedule that will be set with the Greenways Director based on events, meetings, and other commitments. Work occurs primarily during normal business hours, but also includes regular evening meetings (1-2 times per week) and less frequent weekend activities (1-2 times per month). 

Required Qualifications 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential.
• Self-motivation, reliability, and the ability to work independently.
• The ability to effectively engage racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse community members.
• The Coordinator should enjoy working in the field on uneven or muddy terrain and under adverse weather conditions (rain, cool mornings, hot afternoons, etc.) and should be comfortable (or comfortable learning) to ride a bike, paddle a canoe, wade in the River and engage in occasional physically demanding work (river cleanups, invasive species control projects, trail building, etc).
• Basic computer skills are required.
• At least 6 months to one year of experience in relevant work, internship or volunteer roles.
• Access to their own means of transportation.

Preferred Qualifications 

• One-two years of work or internship experience in the environmental, urban planning, or community engagement field.
• An undergraduate or masters degree in urban-planning, geography, environmental policy, public health, or a related field.
• Experience managing volunteers
• Experience organizing and promoting public events.
• Experience with mapping software (ARCGIS).
• Familiarity with the neighborhoods and communities along the Neponset River.

Compensation – Salary for the position will be $42,000 to $52,000 per year including sick time, paid holidays, paid vacation, 403b retirement plan with employer match, and health insurance.