Project Manager – Firefighter Special Projects (Volunteer)

Description

Project Manager – Firefighter Special Projects (Volunteer)

Thread & Promise Special Projects

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Location: Remote with NYC-based coordination as needed

Type: Volunteer (Senior Project Management Role)

About Mentor A Promise & Thread & Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a NYC-based nonprofit supporting children and youth experiencing housing instability through mentorship, education, and creative expression. Through Thread & Promise Special Projects, MAP advances mission-driven design, innovation, and safety initiatives—including advanced protective gear for firefighters and first responders.

The Firefighter Special Projects initiative brings together designers, materials scientists, engineers, and safety experts to develop next-generation protective equipment that prioritizes human health, cancer prevention, heat protection, and mobility.

Role Overview

The Project Manager – Firefighter Special Projects leads the coordination and execution of MAP’s firefighter safety and protective-gear development initiatives. This role ensures that multidisciplinary teams move from research to prototypes to testing with clarity, accountability, and rigor.

This is a leadership role at the center of MAP’s most technically complex innovation work.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead project planning, timelines, and deliverables across firefighter gear initiatives
• Coordinate collaboration between designers, engineers, material scientists, and advisors
• Track research, prototyping, testing, and compliance milestones
• Maintain documentation, project trackers, and communication workflows
• Ensure safety, ethics, and mission alignment across all project activity
• Support grant reporting, partner updates, and technical reviews
• Identify risks, gaps, and resource needs and escalate appropriately
• Serve as the operational bridge between Thread & Promise leadership and technical teams

Qualifications

• Experience in project management, engineering projects, product development, or technical programs
• Ability to manage complex, multidisciplinary workstreams
• Strong organizational, documentation, and communication skills
• Comfort working with scientific, design, and engineering teams
• Commitment to safety, equity, and mission-driven innovation

Preferred Skills

• Experience in product development, PPE, materials science, or industrial design
• Familiarity with prototyping, testing, or regulatory environments
• Background in healthcare, firefighting, safety, or manufacturing is a plus
• Experience working with nonprofit or research partnerships

Commitment

• Volunteer leadership role
• Approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
• Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed

What You’ll Gain

• Leadership experience in a cutting-edge safety and innovation initiative
• Direct impact on firefighter health, safety, and cancer prevention
• Collaboration with world-class designers, engineers, and researchers
• Professional recognition and letters of recommendation
• The opportunity to help build life-saving equipment

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist.

Help turn research and design into real-world protection for the people who run toward danger to save others.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.