Climate Resilience Manager

Charles River Watershed Association; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

Health insurance contributions

Retirement plan

Paid family and medical leave

Transit stipend

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Charles River Watershed Association invites applications for a Climate Resilience Manager in Boston, MA. This hybrid role designs and implements regional climate adaptation projects, collaborates with local watershed communities, and supports the Climate Resilience program through data analysis and reporting.

The successful candidate will manage technical projects, supervise staff, coordinate with the CRCC partners, travel as needed, and translate complex information into public-facing materials

Qualifications

• Educational background in environmental science/engineering, urban planning, climate adaptation, or related field.
• Master’s degree preferred but candidates with commensurate experience will also be considered.
• Extensive experience in urban planning or climate adaptation and municipal climate planning is a plus.
• Proficient with GIS, Excel, and Google Suite; highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Experience with grant writing and working with municipalities is a plus.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to translate technical info for the public.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support ongoing and new Climate Resilience projects within CRWA.
• Manage the CRCC Charles River Flood Model outreach and oversee subcontractors.
• Oversee contracts, timelines, deliverables, and budgets.
• Apply for state and federal funding for climate resilience initiatives.
• Partner with municipalities to develop and implement climate planning projects.
• Travel to sites and attend community meetings across the watershed.

Skills

GIS proficiency

Project management

Public speaking

Grant writing

Stakeholder engagement

Travel readiness

Education

Master’s degree preferred but commensurate experience considered

35 years of experience in urban planning/environmental engineering/climate adaptation

Tools

GIS software

Microsoft Excel

Google Workspace

Job description

Reports to: Senior Climate Resilience Manager

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

Position Description

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.

This position is a hybrid remote/in-office position located in CRWA’s Boston office with a start date in January 2027. Fully remote candidates will not be considered.

Responsibilities

• 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 publicfacing 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.


• 35 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 detailoriented.


• 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.

This position requires regular travel throughout the Charles River watershed; therefore, a valid driver's license and reliable access to a personal vehicle is necessary to perform the critical functions of this role.

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.

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, and 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.

Our 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.