GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES
The Elizabeth River Project’s (ERP) River Star programs motivate homeowners, businesses, and schools to take river-friendly actions and carry out on-the-ground projects on their properties to help restore the health of the urban Elizabeth River. Under the Restoration Department, River Star Businesses and Homes are recruited through community outreach and engagement and provided with guidance and technical assistance from ERP’s expert staff. Both programs are free to join, and participants are recognized for environmental stewardship. River Star Businesses document voluntary results in pollution prevention and/or wildlife habitat enhancement. River Star Homes agree to action steps and are eligible for stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) cost share programs for the construction of living shorelines, oyster reefs, rain gardens, conservation landscaping, buffer plantings, tree plantings, and more.
The River Star Coordinator will report directly to the River Star Business Manager with a primary responsibility to support the promotion and administration of the River Star Business and River Star Homes programs. This includes recruiting new participants, assisting marketing staff with promotion of the programs, attending community outreach events on behalf of ERP, documenting River Star Business results for the program’s review committee, and assisting with the annual River Star Business Recognition Luncheon and other program-related events hosted by ERP. This position also provides some field support for implementing on-the-ground restoration projects as needed.
Schedule will vary between Monday-Friday and Tuesday-Saturday with 1-2+ weeknights and weekends per month needed to meet the staffing requirements for programs and events.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
The River Star Coordinator may not have strengths in all the following areas of need, but most importantly the position will require enthusiasm for ERP’s mission, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn.
Primary responsibilities
- One time project: Provide support through the remainder of a River Star Homes program evaluation being completed by an outside research firm and execute the launch of the newly redesigned program
- Provide support for the River Restoration Advisory Committee (RRAC), the peer review committee to the River Star Businesses program
- Attend site visits to River Star Businesses to help document sustainability efforts for program recognition, draft recommendations, and share guidance and resources as appropriate
- Provide support for the River Star Businesses annual award luncheon such as managing invitations, registration, logistics, and materials
- Conduct standard correspondence with program participants and interested parties including routine communications, maintenance reminders, directing questions to appropriate staff, and fielding general questions
- Represent the Restoration department on the cross-departmental outreach committee and conduct outreach activities including networking events, presentations, and community outreach programs to recruit program participants and potential projects
- Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to plan and execute recruitment campaigns to target audiences or neighborhoods including developing flyers or graphics for social media and digital newsletters
- Maintain accurate and tidy program databases, files, photos and other key documents for each program
- Plan and execute restoration- and River Star-related workshops and programs at the Ryan Resilience Lab with support from event staff
- Support key partnership programs such as Oyster Gardening with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
- Manage and document workflow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and maintain an annual schedule of program tasks
- Perform other duties as assigned
Assisting Responsibilities
- Assist with program evaluation and exploring options for program improvement, i.e., new software, data managers, methodologies, or techniques
- Assist program staff with grant proposals and reports
- Assist with field work as needed such as construction of living shorelines, oyster reefs, rain gardens, and conservation landscaping
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE
- Restoration – Knowledgeable on best practices in environmental stewardship, including an understanding of stormwater BMPs approved by the Chesapeake Bay Program, primarily living shorelines, small-scale stormwater retrofits, and conservation landscaping.
- Administration – Knowledgeable on Microsoft Office products and ability to use them
- Public engagement – Knowledgeable on how to effectively engage with the public regarding environmental topics and the mission of the organization
REQUIRED SKILLS
- Communication – Presents and expresses ideas and information effectively and precisely in an oral and/or written mode. Interacts easily with River Stars and uses active communication with coworkers and supervisors. Is comfortable representing ERP and engaging with the public at heavily attended outreach events.
- Collaboration – Use a collaborative approach to engage a diverse range of industries, organizations, and homeowners to participate in river friendly practices and carry out on-the-ground projects to capture stormwater runoff and/or provide habitat. ERP and the River Star Business program rely on the power of partnership – rather than lawsuits and finger-pointing – to accomplish restoration goals.
- Interpersonal Relationships – Enjoys and is skilled in building and maintaining relationships with diverse people, converting those relationships to specific asks and ways to get involved with the organization. Possesses excellent interpersonal skills and a passion for promoting ERP’s mission.
- Customer Service – Effectively and politely interacts with River Star participants face-to-face as well as via phone and email. Promptly responds to public and homeowner inquiries and obtains relevant information needed to answer questions. Follow up on related interactions when needed.
REQUIRED ABILITIES
- Coordination of work – Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. Ability to establish and implement effective restoration projects, including working through project roadblocks. Ability to work autonomously to plan and organize daily work routines to meet deadlines. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time management methodology.
- Composure under pressure – Ability to stay calm, task-oriented, and positive while juggling the diverse needs of public events engaging the public. Ability to keep cool-headed and cheerful in a fast-paced environment.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
At least 2 years’ experience working in marketing, public outreach, and/or community engagement or equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, social science, or similar field preferred. Experience in environmental restoration/stormwater BMPs, environmental education or science communication, and customer service a plus.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
An acceptable general background check to include a criminal history check.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to lift 35 pounds overhead
- Ability to stand and work for extended periods
- Ability to work outdoors in heat, cold, or mild rain
- Ability to work in and around water
SENSORY REQUIREMENTS
- Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds and visual cues or signals.
- Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES
Essential functions of this position are regularly performed with exposure to outdoor elements, consisting of sometimes inclement weather including heat, cold, and wet conditions.
POSITION PARAMETERS
This is a full-time, non-exempt, hourly position for 40 hours a week with a comprehensive benefits package. The pay for this position is $23/hour.
HOW TO APPLY: Please email your resume to Jaye Farrell at jfarrell@elizabethriver.org.