Program Manager, Middle & Upper Delaware River

~ The National Parks Conservation Association (NCCA) believes that America's national parks and historical sites embody the American spirit. They are windows to our past, homes to some of our rarest plants and animal species, and places where every American can go to find inspiration, peace & open space. ~

But these living, breathing monuments to our nation's history, culture, and landscape need care and support to overcome the many dangers that threaten to destroy them forever. At the National Parks Conservation Association, we work every day to ensure our national parks get that vital care and support.

NPCA plays a crucial role in ensuring that these magnificent lands and landmarks are protected in perpetuity.

Position Overview

The Program Manager builds and sustains a diverse, effective and engaged network of advocates to protect and enhance our national parks, collaborating daily with rural and suburban community leaders to protect the values of the national parks along the middle and upper Delaware River.

A key part of this work is leading NPCA’s engagement in the “Scenic, Wild Delaware River” Geotourism initiative, collaborating with a volunteer Geotourism Council to advance this initiative’s goals of connecting this valuable region to the protection of its natural, cultural and historic resources, and visitor destinations that depend on healthy waters and land.

The Program Manager works and travels throughout the middle and upper Delaware watershed, a region anchored by Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River.

Minimum hours are 8:30 to 5:00, Monday – Friday, with some evening and weekend work, and compensatory time off. 37.5 hour work week Position currently is based in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, and works collaboratively with the Pennsylvania & Delaware Program Manager, Northeast regional staff, other NPCA staff and external stakeholders. Significant travel in the region required.

Responsibilities

Strategic Campaigning and Community Organizing: 60%

• Work collaboratively with Geotourism leaders to advance specific project goals, including policies and activities that promote sustainability and the region’s ecological vitality.
• Collaboratively design and implement strategies to leverage the park presence in the watershed, advance NPCA goals and objectives, build effective political support for park protection at every level, and foster productive park-community relationships. Generate and share ideas and concepts for effective strategies for consideration by the team.
• Equip, empower and engage local influencers, activists and community members in priority park-specific campaigns as well as systemic campaigns as appropriate.
• Support productive relationships among business and other community leaders, tourism and economic development professionals, local elected officials and other decision makers, public lands partners, recreation enthusiasts and the National Park Service.
• Catalyze, support, and lead activities to enhance and promote enjoyment of the national parks and the values they protect, such as educational events and restoration projects.
• Be a spokesperson for NPCA and for the Geotourism initiative.
• Update and develop concepts for website, powerpoint presentations and publications to reflect program goals, and provide timely internal and external communications.
• Identify immediate or impending threats to the national parks that require response by NPCA and/or local stakeholders. Ensure follow through and develop strategies that employ NPCA’s park protection tools in multiple departments and HQ staff/other regions.

Relationships with Decision Makers: 20%

• Cultivate working relationships with agency and elected officials at all levels of government in Pennsylvania and with NPS staff in the Delaware River watershed.
• Be a source of information for, and actively educate decision makers and their staff about, issues related to national parks of the Delaware River, and actions they can take to help the parks and to promote the Scenic, Wild Delaware River initiative.

Development: 10%

• Prepare written materials for foundations, program donors and prospective donors.
• Participate in regular communications with foundations and major donors as agreed among an interdisciplinary NPCA team. Participate as appropriate in strategy meetings.

Other Functions: 10%

• Participate in developing program goals and plans, staff meetings, training programs and other meetings and seminars as determined with the Regional Director.
• Keep excellent records, and share as appropriate with the team.
• Respect employees regardless of their position or background. Participates in developing department goals, objectives, and systems.
• Participates in administrative staff meetings, organization-wide meetings, staff committee meetings, training programs, and attends other meetings and seminars as designated by the supervisor.
• Assists in evaluation of reports, decisions, and results of department in relation to established goals.
• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee in this position.
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.
• Total 100%

Qualifications

• BA/BS or equivalent experience in relevant field required, with graduate degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• Minimum 4 years of experience, including some leadership experience, in conservation/preservation advocacy or related field, with productive experience working in community outreach, organizing and the media.
• Demonstrated ability to be part of, add value to and provide leadership in highly-motivated, effective teams advocating to protect America’s national parks, and promoting a regional Geotourism initiative that works to sustain the region’s economy anchored in clean water, outdoor enjoyment, and scenic beauty.
• Demonstrated ability to build advocacy for the middle and upper Delaware River in the region anchored by four national parks.
• Motivated, organized self-starter who works independently, who also understands the demands inherent in working in a larger organization.
• Demonstrated ability to build and work effectively in cross-disciplinary coalitions and teams to determine and implement strategies and tactics, and to drive towards achieving a shared goal.
• Demonstrated knowledge of policies affecting the Delaware River watershed, state and federal legislative and administrative policy-making processes, and ability to influence those policies.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including oral communications in a variety of settings.
• Proven strong writing, research and editing skills.
• Proven creative and strategic thinking skills.
• Competent with broadly-used computer programs and functions.
• Ability to travel extensively within the region and work some evenings and weekends.
• Demonstrated ability to set and observe priorities, to respect deadlines, and to be flexible.
• Demonstrates an awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations. Contributes to the creation of a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.

To Apply

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