River Programs Manager

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 change-makers through at-the-source 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, macro-invertebrates surveys, and species inventories

● Lead safe on-water and near-the-water 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 3-4 years experience in relevant fields)

● 1-2 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 team-focused 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.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Please send a cover letter describing your interest in the position and a CV/resume with 2-3 references to Mayci Shimon, Operations Manager mayci@landhealthinstitute.org with the subject line “River Programs Manager Position.”

LandHealth Institute is an equal opportunity employer and recognizes the value in promoting a diverse workforce. All individuals, including those from historically under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.