Coastal Restoration Engagement and Outreach Coordinator
Location: Williamsburg Region, Virginia
Telework: Hybrid
Experience : Entry Level
Number of Openings: 1
Job Status: Full time, Exempt. $50,000-$60,000 annually.
2 year position, with potential for extension
Reports to: Assistant Director of Coastal Restoration
The James River Association (JRA) is a non-profit organization on a mission to protect the James River and connect people to it. JRA is excited to announce an opening for a Coastal Restoration Engagement and Outreach Coordinator. The position is full time, exempt, for 2 years with potential for extension if alignment and funding permits. Work will be split between field and outreach activities and office-related work, with an option of teleworking from home and/or from JRA’s Williamsburg office.
JRA’s Coastal Restoration program is focused on scaling up implementation of resilient shoreline protection projects in the tidal James River watershed through use of nature-based infrastructure, such as living shorelines, that provide erosion control, habitat and water quality benefits, and buffer floodwaters. JRA increases installation of living shorelines by: (1) working directly with property owners, providing technical assistance and cost share support; and (2) convening the Living Shoreline Collaborative , a network of partners and communities focused on building and sharing knowledge, increasing capacity, and elevating acceptance of living shorelines. Additionally, the Coastal Restoration Team is working on expanding the River Hero Homes program to the lower (coastal) James River region, in collaboration with JRA’s Community Conservation Team.
Note that the position may require driving to attend partner meetings and to access JRA’s living shoreline projects which span from Hampton Roads Charles City County. JRA will provide access to a laptop, and supplies needed for shoreline assessments.
Key Responsibilities:
Community Engagement:
Develop and contribute to educational content about living shorelines and green infrastructure (e.g., rain barrels) in various formats, including social media, websites, mailings, newsletters, flyers, and videos
Lead or support outreach events for living shorelines and green infrastructure projects, such as presentations at community meetings or tabling at events
Review and assess for gaps in outreach efforts. Findings will inform targeted outreach activities for living shoreline installation and green infrastructure programs
Summarize data and feedback received from community members through local outreach programs, such as events and mailed surveys
Support or co-lead a targeted outreach program to increase the awareness of JRA’s River Hero Homes program in the lower (coastal) areas of the James River watershed
Partnership & Program Support:
Support planning and the coordination of the Living Shoreline Collaborative public meetings (3 events per year), such as suggesting proposed topics or speakers, leading communications with speakers and participants, assisting in the planning of the events, and assisting with set-up.
Support the Living Shoreline Collaborative Steering Committee meetings, such as by assisting with monthly meeting planning, supporting meeting facilitation, and taking meeting notes
Assist with maintaining the Living Shoreline Collaborative website, generating monthly Living Shoreline Collaborative newsletter, and creating general marketing resources for events and living shoreline awareness
Other general duties as assigned such as water quality monitoring or other activities related to promoting and stewarding living shorelines and green infrastructure
Qualifications:
Excellent organizational skills and ability to track multiple projects and tasks simultaneously
Proven ability to work independently, problem solve, and manage time effectively
Excellent computer skills, particularly in word processing, record-keeping, and file management, such as Microsoft Word and Excel,…