Patapsco Watershed Engagement Plan Coordinator

Patapsco Heritage Greenway’s (PHG) mission is to preserve, protect, interpret and restore the environment, history, and culture of the Patapsco Valley. We seek to reach our mission through a robust environmental stewardship program, expanding recreational opportunities, and managing the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area (PVHA), one of 13 Maryland state heritage areas, in support of heritage tourism initiatives. We seek a Patapsco Watershed Engagement Plan Coordinator to join our team, based in Ellicott City, MD.

Job Description: The desired candidate, under the supervision of the Director of Environmental Programs and Engagement and in coordination with all PHG staff, will be responsible for developing a watershed-wide engagement plan for use by PHG and partners. In support of the written plan, they will also help organize and lead stewardship programs, including but not limited to tree plantings and maintenance, native plant education workshops, rain barrel/rain garden workshops, stream cleanups, invasive plant removals, workshops/lectures, and other programs. The coordinator will engage volunteers, businesses, community organizations, educational institutions and other non-profits and agencies, as appropriate. This position will benefit from PHG’s existing partnerships with stakeholders and will expand the breadth and depth of those partnerships—with both existing and new stakeholders. Plan development and communications will address threats to healthy water, lands and air in the Patapsco watershed along with partnership development related to those issues. Through public engagement, coordination with watershed stakeholders, ongoing community training, use of various media, and projects to spur community involvement, the coordinator will foster an environment where the planning process is transparent, open and accessible to all. This is a grant-supported full-time term position expected to last through March 2027.

Qualifications:

• Higher education coursework and/or experience in relevant fields, including but not limited to fields such as sustainability, environmental education, public health
• Experience and interest in working/partnering with community organizations
• Qualitative data research experience
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills as well as excellent written, verbal and public communication skills
• Experience and/or interest in planning and leading environmental-based programs
• Motivated, flexible, problem solver with an ability to work as part of a team, with partners, and individually to complete projects in a timely manner
• Driver’s License
• Familiarity with and knowledge of Baltimore County and Howard County communities and Patapsco Valley history is beneficial but not required

Essential Duties:

• Produce a written Patapsco watershed engagement plan that is feasible, focused and can be implemented.
• Host, organize and lead at least six community forums and develop surveys to collect ideas and feedback as part of creating and implementing a Patapsco watershed engagement plan
• Assist with tree planting and maintenance as well as a range of environmental stewardship programs
• Create and/or maintain community partnerships including communications, feedback and assessment.
• Collect and manage program data for grants and other reports
• Assist with supervision and training of event assistants, PHG interns, and volunteers who may help with development of the Patapsco watershed engagement plan
• Represent the organization at community events
• Other duties as assigned

Working for PHG:

This is a full-time (40 hours/week), term-limited, benefitted position, which requires some weekend and evening hours.

PHG focuses on creating a positive work environment and offers the following benefits with this position:

• Salary: $42,500
• We provide an annual stipend to offset the cost of health insurance premiums as well as a cell-phone stipend.
• We offer a 403(b) plan with 5% match for full-time employees after 90 days and provide a cell phone stipend for staff who use their phone for work.
• We provide support for and encourage professional development opportunities, including trainings, conferences and networking events.
• We provide reimbursement for work-related travel expenses.
• Our team works in a hybrid fashion both virtually and in our Ellicott City office. We expect candidates to be located within driving distance of Ellicott City.
• We are a small organization and work hard to create a team atmosphere. Everyone is approachable, lines of communication are open, and we participate in regular team building exercises.
• Staff have access to a company vehicle for work events.
• This is a grant-supported full-time term position expected to last through March 2027. Continuation beyond the grant term is dependent on future funding.