River Programs Manager - Philadelphia, United States - LandHealth Institute

Description

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:

LandHealth Institute is a nonprofit organization and native plant nursery based in the West Parkside neighborhood of Philadelphia.

Our mission is to restore the connection between people and nature, through experiential environmental education, community-driven revitalization, and the restoration of native ecosystems.

Healthy communities stem from healthy land.

We work in partnership with Riverways, a coalition of local nonprofits working to educate and advocate for: 1) clean water; 2) increased access to on-water and near-the-water experiences; and 3) youth becoming leaders and catalysts for conservation and awareness of our natural resources.


JOB SUMMARY:

LandHealth Institute has received grant funding from William Penn Foundation to establish a year-round kayaking program along the upper Schuylkill River, just above Fairmount Water Works.

We are hiring a River Programs Manager to:

• Build upon our work with the Riverways Consortium and expand the scope of our river programming. Provide safe access to urban waterways, bolster community engagement and environmental advocacy for people of all ages.
• Continue our Program for Future Environmental Stewards and Scientists (ProFESS). ProFESS strives to empower area high school students to become leaders and changemakers through atthesource lessons on natural history, watershed health, urban ecology, and green equity.
• Continue our scientific monitoring responsibilities of the river and our advocacy for cleaner riverways.

The River Programs Manager will report to the Operations Manager.

This is a full or part-time position with some weekend and evening obligations for programming and events, especially throughout the boating season (approximately May-October).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, coordinate, and deliver environmental educational programming
• Lead, train, and oversee ProFESS program students
• Perform scientific monitoring responsibilities, including water quality testing, bacterial monitoring, macroinvertebrates surveys, and species inventories
• Lead safe onwater and nearthewater programming for the public, including kayaking excursions and nature walks
• Maintain good relationships with a variety of docking sites
• Update and maintain standard operating procedures, emergency action plans, and safety information. Identify and evaluate anticipated programmatic risks (weather, water quality, etc), take appropriate action to mitigate, and be prepared to respond to problems as they arise.
• Create calendar and staffing/volunteer schedule for all River programs
• Oversee and maintain the fleet, ensuring the safety, storage, and hygiene of all boats and associated equipment
• Maintain partnership and compliance with relevant regulatory and law enforcement entities such as Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Philadelphia Marine Unit, and Philadelphia Parks & Rec
• Community and partnership outreach and development

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Education, or related fields (or 34 years experience in relevant fields)
• 12 years experience in environmental education, community engagement, or outreach work
• Experience working with students
• Experience with public outreach and community engagement
• Experience working in communities of color, with a commitment to racial, economic, environmental, and social justice
• Must have a teamfocused attitude and the ability to professionally represent LandHealth to the public
• Spanish/English language proficiency
• Certification in First Aid/CPR/AED
• ACA Level 2 Kayak Instructor certification

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Valid U.S. Driver's License
• High school diploma
• Passion for the outdoors/environment.
• Comfortable working in a wide variety of conditions and settings
• Strong time and project management skills
• Proficiency in kayaking
• Ability to lift 50lbs and to perform physical tasks under a variety of conditions

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
As the position involves routine contact with minors, prior to beginning this position, the River Program manager will be required to provide the following:

• Pennsylvania Criminal History Check through the Pennsylvania State Police (PATCH)
• Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Check through the Pennsylvania Department of Health Services
• FBI Criminal History Check

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The applicant must be comfortable working in an outdoor environment, as most work, especially May-October, will include outdoor and on-water instruction and educational programming.

LandHealth's nursery site is an entirely outdoor facility with limited connectivity. Office work, including program and administrative support, will be conducted in hybrid/remote settings. The applicant will be provided necessary training and certifications to complete job responsibilities.


Pay:
$40, $42,000.00 per year


Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• F