Community Engagement Manager – Job Description

Position Summary:

The Community Engagement Manager is a manager-level full-time position that leads the Community Engagement team and guides the creation, execution and evaluation of the organization’s community engagement work. This includes oversight of relationships with community groups and local leaders, with a focus on equitably engaging communities in WV Rivers programmatic areas; developing protocols for best practices in community engagement; ensuring all programmatic staff are well versed in community engagement best practices; assisting with grant development, reporting and compliance; building strategic partnerships and coalitions; and supervising field coordinators and ensuring they are meeting their job duties.

The position requires a solutions-focused relationship-builder who is experienced in community engagement and prizes collaboration that emerges from deep listening. This position requires building and maintaining collaborative partnerships with community leaders and organizations across the state. A history of working in West Virginia is extremely beneficial. General working knowledge of issues related to the organization’s mission of promoting clean and healthy waters for all is required; regional or state level knowledge is preferred. The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to environmental justice and professional experience working in this arena.

The Community Engagement Manager manages a growing team of 2-4 coordinators. This requires building out a new tier of community-centered coordinators in key areas and building their skills and capacity for engaging communities in our work. The position oversees performance management, professional development, and work plan development for each regional coordinator. The Community Engagement Manager reports to the Deputy Director (or the Executive Director in absence of a Deputy) and works closely with the WV Rivers team on implementing community engagement best practices.

Responsibilities:

  • Implement WV Rivers’ approach to community engagement across a wide range of local partners (impacted communities, watershed groups, regional environmental groups, hunters/anglers and recreationists) and issues/campaigns.
  • Serve as a liaison for community voices to government agencies and regional coalitions, advocating for community-defined priorities.
  • Create community engagement strategies and plans for different issue areas and projects, in collaboration with others on staff.
  • Provide direction and oversight on community engagement initiatives, including developing and managing MOUs with partners.
  • Manage and develop a team of community engagement coordinators.
  • Identify resources that support local leaders and partner groups’ development.
  • Work with the WV Rivers team to assist community members dealing with emergent water issues.
  • Assess and evolve programs to advance goals, address the needs of the community and meet the changing political context.
  • ​​​Build out new approaches to learning with/from community members, leaders and organizations.​​
  • ​​​Track relationships and engagement progress with volunteers and key partners across programs​.​
  • Identify and pursue new strategic partnership opportunities and maintain and expand existing collaborative partnerships.
  • Assist with high-quality, timely and accurate program reporting and track grant expenditures and deliverables (i.e. grants compliance).
  • Draft and provide comments to government agencies and media amplifying community concerns and problem-solving priorities.
  • Draft content for WV Rivers supporters and the public including blog posts and emails
  • Work with the science team to help translate technical information into an accessible literacy level.
  • Work as a liaison with government agencies to institutionalize best practices for community engagement with a focus on improving community – agency communication
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

  • Values-based leadership committed to integrating equity into all work;
  • Excellent analytic and communication skills, both written and oral; experience as an advocate;
  • An understanding of programmatic work and how that work connects to grant outcomes;
  • A commitment to relational work and related experience in building partnerships and relationships;
  • Significant experience in managing a team; management experience in a remote working environment is a plus;
  • Strong project management skills to plan and execute community engagement initiatives;
  • Facilitation skills and listening skills;
  • Ability to present technical information in a formal and informal setting;
  • A demonstrated commitment to environmental causes, and an understanding of WV Rivers values, mission and goals;
  • Experience and skill in supporting the development and management of program and grant budgets;
  • Ability to work with and center historically marginalized or oppressed communities of different cultures and backgrounds. This includes having a mature understanding of how structural racism, sexism, and prejudice against all kinds of marginalized communities pervade our society;
  • Ability to work autonomously.

Desired Experience and Attributes:

  • At least two years of experience in staff management, program management and budget management;
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills – including effective persuasive communication to inspire action, diplomatic communication to foster trust and respect, and clear and direct communication to increase organizational efficiencies;
  • Success in writing grant proposals and reports, with a focus on compelling storytelling to convey activities and outcomes;
  • A collaborative, coaching management style and desire to expand leadership skills;
  • Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in all professional settings;
  • High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite products;
  • General comfort and confidence with working in technologies designed for remote working environments;
  • General comfort and confidence in speaking with government agencies and media;
  • A West Virginia residency and valid driver’s license;
  • Ability to travel outside of regular business hours and overnights;
  • A commitment to equity and justice and in supporting WV Rivers’ growth in this area;
  • A strong passion for WV Rivers’ mission.

Compensation:

The salary range for this position is $40,000 – $65,000 and is dependent upon experience and qualifications. WV Rivers provides a competitive benefits package that includes 100% employer-paid health insurance, beginning paid leave of 23 days annually and up to 12 sick days annually, an employer contribution to a retirement plan, and a monthly telework stipend. This is a full-time, exempt position.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement:

We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment. We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and members of historically marginalized communities to apply. Your unique perspectives and experiences are vital to our mission and the communities we serve.

How to Apply:

Please submit your letter of interest and resume to [email protected] with your name and “Community Engagement Manager” in the subject line.

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