Engagement Specialist

The Neponset River Watershed Association (NepRWA) seeks an outgoing Engagement Specialist to help us engage and empower residents from across our 14 cities and towns to advance equitable climate adaptation priorities.

 

The Engagement Specialist is a key member of NepRWA’s team. They work closely with municipalities, community-based organizations, and community leaders to help people and nature successfully adapt to the impacts of climate change at a neighborhood and regional scale. They report to the Managing Director for Community Resilience and collaborate closely with other NepRWA staff across multiple disciplines.

 

Key responsibilities include:

·       Empower residents to identify and advocate for opportunities to build community climate resilience. 

·       Cultivate and deepen relationships with key individuals, community-based organizations, representatives of environmental justice communities, municipal staff and local officials.

·       Plan and carry out public engagement and participation activities, using a variety of interactive approaches in person and online.

·       Identify climate adaptation interventions needed to address community priorities, with a special focus on the needs and perspectives of historically marginalized communities and those disproportionately impacted by climate change.

·       Help develop new programs, policies, and partnerships to address these needs, and advocate for their implementation at local and regional scales. 

·       Work with interdisciplinary partners and consultants to help evaluate impacts of flooding, heat, drought and other climate challenges on residents, natural habitats, and natural and human made infrastructure.

·       Assist with grant applications and legislative initiatives.

·       Support colleagues on community engagement issues.

·       Help communication and development staff expand outreach and public engagement through writing, presentations, photography and social media.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have an outgoing personality and excellent listening, communication, organization, and leadership skills. They will be enthusiastic about NepRWA’s mission and the opportunity to help build community resilience and address environmental and climate inequities.

 

Specific areas of expertise should include:

·       At least two years of relevant work experience; 

·       Planning and conducting community engagement activities among diverse audiences;

·       Working effectively with municipal staff, local officials and legislators;

·       Familiarity with the impacts of climate change on municipalities and natural systems and the unique challenges that climate change poses for historically marginalized populations;

·       Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to persuasively communicate with both technical and non-technical audiences;

·       The ability to master new topics independently including topics of a technical or regulatory nature; and

·       Familiarity with social media platforms and online communication strategies.

 

Additional skills which may be helpful but which are not required:

·       Familiarity with the 14 communities that make up the Neponset River Watershed;

·       Experience in environmental science, marketing, regional planning, policy development, or public administration; and/or

·       The ability to write and speak other languages in addition to English.

 

This is a full-time (40 hour per week) position and is available to begin immediately. We operate a hybrid office. After an initial training period, staff are expected to be onsite at least 2-3 days per week, with the option to work remotely 2-3 days per week. Work hours are flexible, but the Engagement Specialist will be expected to regularly attend in person and remote meetings on weeknights (1-2 nights per week) and occasional weekend meetings and events (1-2 weekends per month). 

 

Compensation is commensurate with experience within a range of $52,000 to $62,000 per year, and includes paid vacation, holidays, health insurance and retirement plan match. NepRWA is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from underrepresented groups including women, racial and ethnic minorities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, persons from diverse educational and economic backgrounds.

 

 

To apply, please fill out the short online form at neponset.org/employment and upload your resume and a cover letter via the online form. Your cover letter should explain how the position would complement your career goals and how your talents and experience would help advance NepRWA’s mission. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled. The most recent and most detailed posting will be maintained at neponset.org/employment and a notice will be posted promptly there once the position is filled.

 

Questions may be directed via email to Managing Director for Community Resilience, Kerry Snyder at snyder@neponset.org.