Description
The Coastal Conservation League is a nonprofit conservation organization that works with communities, elected officials, businesses, and citizen groups to protect the natural landscapes, abundant wildlife, clean air and water, and quality of life along the South Carolina coast. We are a group of passionate individuals who tackle issues such as flooding, offshore drilling, improving transportation, and smart growth along the coast of South Carolina. We have offices in Charleston, Georgetown, Beaufort, and Columbia as well as operating a food hub in the Charleston area called GrowFood Carolina.
The Coastal Conservation League is searching for a full-time Land, Water & Wildlife Project Manager who will be based in the Charleston office. This project is funded by a three-year grant. The Project Manager will work on an array of coastal resource issues involving wildlife and habitat, water quality and withdrawal, sustainable agriculture, land use, resilience, marshes, wetlands, and beaches. This job requires extensive grassroots organizing, relationship and coalition building, communication with community leaders, engaging with the media, and policy analysis and interpretation. Issues addressed in this position oftentimes need attention after traditional work hours, and the Project Manager must be willing to respond.
The ideal candidate must be a self-starter and a team player who enjoys working in a fast-paced, social, dynamic work environment and managing diverse projects in an intense high-pressure setting. He/she must demonstrate creative problem-solving skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, and constant attention to detail. This position reports to the Land, Water & Wildlife Program Director.
Position Purpose
- Develop and pursue strategies and opportunities to:
- Conserve and restore oyster populations in South Carolina
- Conserve salt marsh throughout the South Atlantic Bight in the face of sea level rise
- Implement ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) in the U.S. South Atlantic, and
- Assist in the building relationships with key South Carolina, regional and national decision makers.
Principal Responsibilities and Duties
- Identify and pursue opportunities to conserve and restore oyster populations in South Carolina.
- Travel to key meetings to support or represent protections for oysters and/or salt marsh.
- Scope opportunities and lay groundwork to establish a “Salt Marsh Serengeti” to formally recognize and protect the vast marsh habitat that extends throughout the South Atlantic Bight, with a focus in South Carolina, and supporting the goals in other states.
- Build relationships with key regional and national decision makers and influencers (with the limitation of no federal or state lobbying) focused on coastal habitat conservation, management, and restoration, and leverage these relationships in collaboration with other stakeholders.
- Travel to key meetings to support or represent protections for oysters and/or salt marsh.
- Collaborate with other project partners in advancing EBFM by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. This may include mutually agreed upon projects such as protecting deep-sea coral habitats, and protecting critical forage species.
- Cultivate relationships with key regional decision makers and influencers, focusing on EBFM priorities.
- Conduct outreach to build support across a broad range of stakeholders to support EBFM priorities.
- Regularly communicate with program sponsors through in-person meetings, phone calls and emails regarding progress on deliverables and development relevant to project partners in South Carolina.
- Build and manage networks with citizens, businesses, and public officials
- Identify desired outcomes and create strategies to achieve them
- Become subject-matter expert quickly when new issues arise
- Monitor, identify, and analyze media, public notices, and permits
- Attend public meetings and hearings to gather information and/or represent Coastal Conservation League interests
- Initiate, support, and lead grassroots efforts to accomplish desired outcomes
- Communicate regularly and effectively through oral and written form
- Work with media outlets to convey news about projects, goals, and outcomes
- Engage with members of the community to participate in our work
- Work with the development team on grant proposals and reports
- Develop and nurture relationships with Board members, donors, and members
- Complete other duties as assigned or needed
Competencies
- Written and oral communication proficiency
- Attention to detail
- Ability to exercise flexibility and adapt quickly to changing situations
- Ability to plan strategically and take initiative
- Highly motivated self-starter
- Strong organizational and analytical skills
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Ability to multi-task
- Ability to act in a professional and friendly manner
- Ability to complete tasks individually and function as part of a team
- An unwavering commitment to the organization’s mission
Required Education and Experience
Bachelors’ degree in related field highly desirable – for example, marine conservation, biology, environmental policy
Demonstrated passion for environmental advocacy
Demonstrated appreciation for the Lowcountry
Preferred Education and Experience
College degree with work/internship experience
Master’s degree or equivalent in a related field
Experience with environmental education/interpretation and/or knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations
Grassroots campaign experience
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: $40,000.00 /year
