Lower Passaic River Urban Waters Ambassador / New York – New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program Outreach Coordinator
Helping the residents of the New York and New Jersey Harbor Estuary realize the benefits of the Clean Water Act, Superfund, Water Resources Development Act and other federal programs requires skilled and innovative professionals. Diverse interests, environmental injustice, public health concerns, complex ecologies and a changing climate are just some of the challenges posed by this unique urban environment. The Hudson River Foundation has an opening for an individual to serve as Lower Passaic River Urban Waters Ambassador and the Outreach Coordinator for the NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program. This is a full time term position for 18 months with a possibility of renewal subject to funding.
The Lower Passaic River Urban Waters Federal Partnership (UWFP) is a collaboration of federal and state agencies, municipalities, and community-based organizations advancing cleanup, restoration, and stewardship of the Lower Passaic River and equitable, sustainable development along its banks. The Partnership is led by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the US Army Corps of Engineers and a Steering Committee of community-based and environmental organizations. One of 28 national estuary programs authorized under the Clean Water Act, the New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP) and its partners work together to address water quality issues, protect and restore productive habitat, improve public access, educate the public, and foster community stewardship. HEP and the UWFP are hosted by the Hudson River Foundation, which seeks to make science integral to decision-making with regard to the Hudson River and its estuary and to support competent stewardship of this extraordinary resource.
The person will work closely with the HEP Program Director, other Foundation staff, the Urban Waters Partnership Steering Committee, and other HEP and Urban Waters partners to develop and carry out research, planning and administrative responsibilities in support of the Lower Passaic River Urban Waters Partnership and HEP’s 2017-2022 Action Agenda. The position is based at the Foundation’s lower Manhattan office and the Ironbound Community Corporation in Newark. This position involves travel within the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area, including considerable time spent in the Lower Passaic River communities and occasional evening meetings.
Specific initial duties will include working with the Lower Passaic River UWFP Steering Committee to develop and implement a workplan to connect federal tools and resources with the needs of the communities, convening/facilitating/participating in meetings, and tracking/reporting progress. Past workplan elements have included creating a community engagement guide for federal projects and assisting local parks organizations with the stewardship of public spaces on the River. The position is also responsible for helping meet HEP’s other objectives for Community Engagement, including supporting HEP’s Citizen Advisory Committee, managing a harbor-wide citizen science volunteer recruitment campaign, producing HEP’s newsletter, and other outreach tasks.
Successful candidates will have excellent writing, communication, organizational and research skills. S/he will be enthusiastic and willing to take on considerable responsibility in a fast-paced office environment. Experience with urban community organizing and public engagement is expected. Ideally candidates will have experience working within Lower Passaic River communities and the greater NY-NJ Harbor Estuary. Communication and written ability in Spanish and/or Portuguese is important. Proficiency in Excel, Access, PowerPoint, GIS, In-Design, or related software will also be a consideration. An undergraduate or graduate degree in urban planning, public policy, communications, environmental science, engineering or a related field and at least two years of relevant work experience is required. This is a full time term position for 18 months, with a possibility of renewal subject to funding. Salary will be commensurate with experience, and will include health and vacation benefits. The Hudson River Foundation is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability.
Please send your resume and a letter describing your specific interest and goals for the position to resume@hudsonriver.org by June 15, 2018 with the subject line: Passaic River Ambassador.