Community Engagement Coordinator, Coasts

Position Summary:

Audubon’s conservation efforts along the Connecticut shoreline include the stewardship, management, and restoration of habitats (marshes, barrier beaches, and islands) that are vital to at risk bird species.  In addition, we strive to be inclusive and equitable by targeting conservation projects that benefit both birds and people and by providing additional resources (teacher trainings, presentations/field trips, jobs, internships, etc.) to Environmental Justice communities. The Community Engagement Coordinator will work with current staff to strengthen and grow the equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) components of our coastal conservation program.  This position will be remote, located in CT, and will report to the Director of Bird Conservation.

Compensation:

$20-$23.50 / hour

Essential Functions

• Work with Audubon staff to ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging principles are incorporated and followed in all aspects of our work.

• Engage, build, and strengthen relationships with environmental justice communities, as well as the general public, associated with salt marsh restoration and bird stewardship projects in CT. This often includes being respectful and accountable in our relationships, taking time to reflect and learn, and showing humility.

  • Assist with teacher trainings and provide opportunities for students to learn about and participate in conservation projects (interactive classroom lessons, field trips to project sites, participate in job fairs, etc.)

  • Explore opportunities to collaborate with local groups, including those not traditionally represented in conservation.

  • Assist with volunteer training and habitat stewardship events including recruitment and follow up communications.

  • Engage and educate beach-goers about beach-nesting birds and their conservation needs

• Enhance and grow opportunities for youth (high school through young professionals) involved in these projects and maintain relationships with these future conservationists following projects.

  • With guidance from the Director of Bird Conservation and input from colleagues, coordinate internship program in partnership with the Three River Campus of the CT State Community College. This includes organizing activities on or near campus as well as training and oversight of interns working at project site along the shoreline.  

  • With guidance from the Coastal Stewardship Senior Associate, assist with the WildLife Guards youth employment program.

    • Develop and provide education lessons to youth crews.

    • Explore feasibility and pilot an alumni program for past and future WildLife Guards/intern program participants as a means of maintaining long-term relationships and providing support to the students after they finish the program(s).

      • Determine past participants preferred method of communication

      • Work with communications and IT staff to explore options for providing resources, skill building, and networking opportunities (both online and in person)

      • Via alumni program, gain insight on long-term impact of youth programs.

  • Assist with coastal stewardship efforts by providing support to technicians working at mainland beaches. This includes training as well as outreach to landowners and local groups to build awareness and support for beach-nesting birds.

    • Work with landowners and managers to incorporate the needs of shorebirds in habitat and site management and planning

    • Assist Coast Senior Coordinator with technician onboard and training.  Provide additional support as needed.

• Assist in setting up and maintain protective fencing and signs at nesting areas, erecting predator exclosures at Piping Plover nests, and monitoring of shorebird reproductive success. Carefully and neatly, record data on in NestStory.

• Assist CT/NY Senior Communications Manager and Associate with the development of media (online pieces, articles, press releases) and create and deliver effective presentations promotes our Coastal programs.

• Support a culture of philanthropy, including compiling data and information for proposals (both private and public funding) and reports.

• Collaborate with colleagues across the Americas, especially communications, education, and policy staff.

• Participate fully and productively in staff meetings.

• Assist with Audubon staff to ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging principles are incorporated and followed in all aspects of our work.

• Support a culture of philanthropy, including public funding efforts.

• Collaborate with colleagues across the Americas including through joint planning and execution of shared priorities.

• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience:

• B.A. in environmental education, environmental science, wildlife biology, or similar field or 2-4 years of equivalent work experience.

• Ability to identify coastal birds, familiarity with and experience working on coastal conservation issues. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Comfortable engaging and communicating with a diverse public audience. The ability to speak Spanish and/or other languages is a plus.

• Strong organizational skills and computer literacy, particularly word-processing, e-mail and database functions required. Proficient in Outlook, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint and social media. Skills with GIS and GPS a plus. 

• Must be willing to occasionally work on weekends, holidays, and evenings. 

• Must have a valid driver’s license. Position requires regular travel (using rental vehicles and/or a personal vehicle, reimbursed at the federal rate).

• Comfortable on a watercraft (15 ft skiff) a plus.

• Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.

• Demonstrated personal and professional commitment to and experience in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

• Willingness to work in an outdoor setting in variable conditions; must be able to spend long days in the field walking on uneven terrain, and lift/carry 35 pounds with or without accommodation. 

• Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.

• Demonstrated personal and professional commitment to and experience in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

This position is represented by the Communication Workers of America (CWA).

EEO Statement

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

Accessibility Statement

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