Climate Resilience Manager

Massachusetts Nonprofit Network; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Transit stipend

Professional development

Job summary

Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) in Boston, MA, seeks a Climate Resilience Manager to design and implement regional climate adaptation projects and collaborate with watershed communities. The role involves managing technical projects, GIS analyses, data compilation, and reporting, with engagement with local residents.

The ideal candidate has strong technical and project-management skills, with experience in grant writing and working with municipalities.

Qualifications

• Educational background in environmental science/engineering, urban planning, climate adaptation.
• 3–5 years of experience in urban planning, environmental engineering, or climate adaptation; municipal climate planning experience is a plus
• Proficient with GIS software, Microsoft Excel, and Google Suite
• Experience with grants is a plus
• Experience with group facilitation and stakeholder engagement with diverse audiences

Responsibilities

• Lead and support ongoing and new projects within CRWA’s Climate Resilience program
• Manage the CRCC’s Charles River Flood Model project by overseeing community outreach, site visits, and technical work with subcontractors
• Manage contracts with consultants, including timelines, deliverables, and budgets
• Apply for funding from state and federal grant programs for new Climate Resilience projects
• Partner with municipalities to develop projects, obtain funding, and implement climate planning and adaptation projects
• Travel to various sites and meetings throughout the watershed for presentations and community events

Skills

GIS software

Project management

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Education

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

GIS software

Microsoft Excel

Google Suite

Job description

Reports to: Senior Climate Resilience Manager

Location: Hybrid (Boston, MA) — in-office presence required 3 days a week

Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA), an environmental advocacy nonprofit based in Boston, MA, is seeking a Climate Resilience Manager to join our growing team. The Climate Resilience Manager will work with the Charles River Climate Compact (CRCC) to design and implement regional climate adaptation projects and collaborate with individual watershed communities on local climate projects. The CRCC is a partnership of twenty-eight watershed communities that takes a cross-boundary approach to climate adaptation and mitigation to address precipitation-based flooding, sea level rise, extreme heat, and ecosystem health through regional collaboration and information sharing.

The Climate Resilience Manager will provide critical capacity to support CRWA’s Climate Resilience program by managing technical projects, performing desktop geographic analyses, compiling and analyzing data, preparing reports, and presenting to and engaging with local community members. The ideal candidate will have both technical and project management skills and be able to apply those to support and advance CRWA’s organizational goals. This role will report to the Senior Climate Resilience Manager and will work closely with other program staff.

CRWA strives to attract and retain staff from a wide range of backgrounds, expertise, and perspectives and to foster a culture of belonging in which all feel valued and respected. If you need accommodations to make the interview process more accessible, please let us know by emailing [e-mail].

At CRWA, we recognize that excellent candidates may not have every qualification listed but may still be a great fit for the job. If this is you, we encourage you to apply. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates will be interviewed and selected based on criteria such as prior experience and skills relevant to this position.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. CRWA is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Project Management and Implementation

• Lead and support ongoing and new projects within CRWA’s Climate Resilience program
• Support the CRCC’s Charles River Flood Model project by managing the community outreach plan, conducting site visits, and leading technical work, including overseeing subcontractors
• Manage contracts with consultants, including managing timelines, deliverables, and budgets
• Apply for funding, primarily from state and federal grant programs, for new Climate Resilience projects and initiatives
• Partner with municipalities to develop projects, obtain funding, and implement climate planning and adaptation projects
• Travel to various sites and meetings throughout the watershed to present, participate in community meetings or events, or meet with residents

Charles River Climate Compact

• Present Climate Resilience program work and the CRCC’s projects with partners and at technical conferences
• Support CRCC membership with projects and grant requests, as needed
• Work with CRWA climate team and CRCC to implement the CRCC Strategic Plan and Equity Action Plan

Build Climate Resilience

• Contribute to implementation of strategic and annual work plans for the Climate Resilience program
• Provide technical and analytical support on additional program projects as necessary, including desktop and online GIS analysis
• Regularly translate technical information into public-facing materials and public presentations for watershed residents and other lay audiences
• Participate in climate planning and advocacy efforts that build resilience across the watershed, state, and region, and support CRWA’s advocacy initiatives by providing technical information and recommendations on various climate resilience topics
• Support communication and coordination across program teams
• Coordinate with, supervise, support, and/or mentor junior staff
• Represent CRWA before partners, governmental officials, funders, and the community
• Conduct work in accordance with CRWA’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative
• Additional administrative support and responsibilities as needed

Qualifications

• Educational background in the fields of environmental science/engineering, environmental or urban planning, climate adaptation, urban forestry, or related
• Master’s degree preferred but candidates with commensurate experience will also be considered
• 3-5 years of experience in urban planning, environmental engineering, or climate adaptation; municipal climate planning experience a plus
• Proficient with GIS software, Microsoft Excel, and Google Suite
• Highly organized and detail-oriented
• Experience with project management
• Experience writing and obtaining grants is a plus
• Experience with group facilitation and stakeholder engagement, particularly with diverse audiences from all backgrounds
• Demonstrated strong, clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate about CRWA’s mission and work to the public
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Past experience working with municipalities is a plus
• Must be able to travel throughout the watershed frequently, occasional travel out of the region and state may be required
• Ability to work evenings and weekends on occasion

Essential Physical Functions

This role requires regular physical activity, including standing, walking, bending, reaching, and kneeling throughout the shift. You must be able to comfortably lift, maneuver, and transport equipment or event materials up to 25 pounds.

Comfortable working outdoors under all weather conditions.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time position based in Boston.

The salary for this position is $65,000 - $70,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

CRWA-sponsored benefits include:

• generous paid time off
• employer contributions to health insurance premiums and retirement plan
• paid family and medical leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• transit stipend
• professional development opportunities

CRWA’s office operates on a hybrid remote/in-person schedule (3 days per week in the Boston office).

We are unable to consider fully remote candidates for this role.

Out commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

CRWA is committed to the ongoing work of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within our organization and in our external relationships.

Internally, CRWA seeks to embed these principles in staff hiring, professional development, and retention practices as well as in Board recruitment, onboarding, and governance. CRWA strives to attract and retain staff and Board members from a wide range of backgrounds, expertise, and perspectives and to foster a culture of belonging in which all feel valued and respected.

Externally, we are engaged in outreach and relationship development to connect with a broader set of constituents in the watershed, including people and communities that have historically been marginalized. CRWA acknowledges the historic disinvestment and past harm in some watershed communities and is committed to advocating for equitable investments in climate resilience and river health.

CRWA condemns racism, sexism, bigotry, and discrimination in any form.

About Charles River Watershed Association

CRWA is an internationally-recognized environmental advocacy nonprofit based in Boston, MA. Our mission is to protect, restore, and enhance the Charles River and its watershed through science, advocacy, and the law. We develop science-based strategies to increase resilience, protect public health, and promote environmental equity as we confront a changing climate.