Conservation Project Manager

Association of Community Services; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 52,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Employee assistance program (EAP)

Professional development

Job summary

Howard EcoWorks is seeking a Conservation Project Manager in Columbia, MD to lead and oversee conservation projects from concept to completion. The role involves budgeting, scheduling, and coordinating field staff while maintaining strong partner relationships.

The candidate will support the Operations Director, promote high-quality deliverables, and contribute to community education programs and grant reporting. This is a full-time, on-site position with a focus on stewardship and impact.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years in conservation, ecological landscaping, natural resources, or related field with project/crew leadership.
• Clear written and verbal communication; strong stakeholder skills.
• Proven ability to develop/manage budgets, scopes, and timelines.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage conservation projects from concept to completion, on schedule, on budget, and to high quality.
• Support Operations Director with short- to mid-term planning, resource allocation, and scheduling for grant-funded and fee-for-service work.
• Prepare proposals, scopes of work, cost estimates, and budgets for water quality, habitat restoration, and related projects.
• Serve as primary contact for landowners, HOAs, nonprofits, agencies, and partners; maintain relationships.
• Supervise, schedule, and support Conservation Field Specialists and field staff.
• Monitor progress and budgets; adjust plans as needed.

Skills

Project leadership

Budget management

Community engagement

Team supervision

Scheduling

Field coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology/natural resources/environmental science

Job description

Full Time

Non-Profit

Columbia, MD

12 Aug 2026

Reports to: Operations Director

Responsibilities and Duties

• Develop and manage conservation projects from concept through completion, ensuring each is implemented to specification, on schedule, on budget, and to a high standard of quality.
• Support the Operations Director in short- to mid-term project planning, resource allocation, and scheduling across grant-funded and fee-for-service work.
• Conduct site assessments and prepare proposals, scopes of work, cost estimates, and project budgets for water quality, habitat restoration, invasive species management, and/or conservation landscaping projects.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for landowners, HOAs, nonprofits, agencies, and community partners, maintaining strong relationships throughout each project.
• Directly supervise, schedule, and support Conservation Field Specialists and field staff
• Monitoring progress and budgets of projects and adjusting plans as needed.
• Cross-promote HEW’s fee-for-service lines of business, including our developing tree and woodland care services, and identify opportunities to expand our conservation work.
• Contribute to grant projects by monitoring deliverables and supporting timely, accurate reporting.
• Lead crew training and mentorship, and represent HEW in public education such as workshops and community events.
• Identify and implement process improvements that increase the efficiency and quality of project delivery.
• Foster industry relationships and maintain partnerships that advance HEW’s mission and pipeline of work.
• Support a culture that reflects HEW’s values of stewardship, impact, accountability, growth, inclusion, and safety.

Qualifications

Required

• 3-5 years of experience in conservation, ecological landscaping, natural resources, or a closely related field, including project and/or crew leadership
• Bachelor’s degree in biology, natural resources, conservation, environmental science, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage project budgets, scopes, and timelines
• Strong community engagement and stakeholder-relationship skills, with clear written and verbal communication
• Proven leadership and the ability to supervise, motivate, and develop a team
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities at once
• Working knowledge of native flora and the ability to identify regional plant species
• Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable personal vehicle for travel to project sites

Prefered

• One or more relevant certifications, or the ability to obtain them, such as: Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP), Project Management Professional (PMP), Maryland Certified Pesticide Applicator, or Maryland Licensed Tree Expert
• Experience with geographic information systems (GIS) to support project planning and implementation
• Experience with grant-funded restoration work and associated reporting requirements
• Experience delivering training, workshops, or public education
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) or other language skills

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Performs a combination of office-based project work and outdoor fieldwork in varying weather conditions
• Positions self to assess sites and support installation and maintenance of plantings and site features (e.g., bending, kneeling, crouching)
• Transports and moves materials and equipment weighing up to 40 lbs. as needed
• Operates a vehicle for regular travel to project sites; may operate field equipment as applicable
• Remains in a stationary position and/or moves throughout office and field sites as needed

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role. To request an accommodation, contact the Administrative Services Manager.

This is a full-time, exempt position of approximately 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, with a 30-minute unpaid meal period. Core hours are 10:00 AM-2:00 PM, Monday through Friday, during which all Staff are expected to be available; the remainder of the schedule is flexible by agreement with your supervisor. Occasional evenings and weekends are required to support projects, partner needs, and community events.

Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants and employees with disabilities, for sincerely held religious beliefs, and for pregnancy-related conditions. To request an accommodation during hiring or employment, contact the Administrative Services Manager.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary

$52,000–$56,000/year (commensurate with experience)

Benefits

• Health coverage: medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-provided life and AD&D insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer matching contributions (after 1 year)
• Generous paid time off: paid vacation (annual) leave that grows with tenure, paid sick & safe leave, paid holidays, and a floating holiday
• Additional paid leave for bereavement, jury duty, and voting, plus military and parental leave protections
• Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Workers’ compensation insurance (no cost to you)
• Professional development opportunities, including green-industry certifications
• A clear pathway for advancement within the organization

Our Commitment To An Equitable, Diverse & Inclusive Workplace

Howard EcoWorks is committed to building a culturally diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, and strongly encourages applications from candidates from underrepresented communities, including program alumni and those with non-traditional career pathways. We value lived experience alongside formal qualifications.

Howard EcoWorks does not discriminate on the basis of race or color (including hair texture and protective hairstyles under the Maryland CROWN Act), religion or creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), national origin or ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, occupation, personal appearance, political opinion, source of income, or citizenship or immigration status. Consistent with our workforce-development mission, we also do not discriminate on the basis of socioeconomic status or prior justice involvement. This applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, selection, compensation, job assignment, training, promotion, discipline, and termination.

HEW does not ask about criminal history on employment applications or during initial screening. Any criminal-history inquiry occurs no earlier than the first in-person interview, and we conduct an individualized assessment before any adverse decision.

This position involves direct contact with minor program participants and is subject to a mandatory background check under Maryland law and HEW policy.

Location

9770 Patuxent Woods Drive, 309, Columbia, MD 21046