Program Manager, Conservation Careers Diversity Program

About The Environmental Careers Organization [ECO]  

Founded in 1972, ECO is a Boston-based, national, non-profit organization that develops future professionals for the environmental field through paid environmental internship programs that provide work-learning opportunities for college students and recent graduates. Each year, approximately 1,000 ECO Associates of diverse backgrounds work on a wide range of environmental projects at government agencies, nonprofit organizations and corporations across the US. 

Built upon The Environmental Careers Organization (ECO]'s successful partnerships with the US Fish & Wildlife Service and the USDA Forest Service, the Conservation Careers Diversity Program (CCDP) is an innovative initiative that encourages and enables people of color to pursue careers in the natural resources and conservation field - a field in which people of color are greatly under-represented.

This key program objective is achieved principally by providing specially-designed summer internships to early undergraduate students of color at host federal, state and local government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private businesses. Internships are complemented with related career development activities.

ECO believes that, through such on-the-job work-learning experiences, CCDP inspires interns to discover, learn about, and explore the natural resources and conservation field and pursue careers in a field that traditionally they may not have considered without the internship exposure early in their academic learning and career.

Essential Functions 

To achieve the purpose, goals and objectives of ECO's Conservation Careers Diversity Program by managing all aspects of the program. This includes: 

* Securing internship projects at host organizations (sponsors) that meet both placement and revenue targets; 
* Promoting the program to students on campuses and at career conferences in order to create a diverse applicant pool for the program; 
* Screening and matching applicants to internship projects followed by monitoring and supporting interns during their projects; 
* Forming and delivering career development activities to interns; 
* Gathering evaluative feedback from program participants and improving the program based on feedback;
* Managing budgeted expenses and program contacts' information; 
* Working closely with the Director of Federal Programs and the Director of Program Development to develop specific strategies, tactics and approaches;
* Seeking potential grants from public and private sources beginning after the first year. 

1) Sponsor Development (30%) Based on annual sponsor development targets:

* Stabilize and grow current participation in the program by the US Fish & Wildlife Service and the US Forest Service;
* Identify prospective sponsors among federal, state, county and local government agencies, private businesses, and nonprofit organizations in a targeted region;
* Develop special initiatives within CCDP based on institution, geographic location, disciplines-in-demand or specific skills; 
* Make contact with hiring managers and key staff at prospective sponsors, promote CCDP and cultivate relationships; 
* Work with Marketing and Communication staff to develop CCDP marketing and promotion messages and materials;
* Negotiate with prospective sponsors and complete contractual agreements with assistance from the Director and the Contract Manager;
* Ensure non-federal, especially non-profit, participation in the CCDP program by seeking potential grants from government agencies and private funding sources; 
* Work collaboratively with ECO's federal and regional program staff to promote CCDP. 

2) Recruitment (30%) 

* Build and maintain a national applicant pool of diverse candidates for the program; 
* Develop and implement year-round recruitment strategies and activities through campus outreach and conferences; 
* Build relationships with key diversity organizations that have diverse members or serve students of color; 
* Work with Marketing staff to develop recruitment materials and other effective communications to reach students of color;
* Manage the entire process of recruiting, screening and matching applicants to internship projects at sponsoring organizations. 

3) Program Management (20%) 

* Develop and implement the annual CCDP budget and plan; 
* Supervise the Internship Program Coordinator/Recruiter; 
* Create and deliver publications and career enrichment activities to CCDP interns, including on-line and printed career development resources and exercises, a program newsletter, two-day retreats, mentoring links and brown bag lunches with ECO alumni; 
* Use on-line surveys to gather evaluative feedback from program participants and use feedback to improve program in the future. 

Placement (20%) 

* Make internship offers;
* Provide orientation to program participants;
* Ensure proper monitoring and support of interns during their projects; 
* Oversee all administrative workflow processes and systems related to CCDP placements. 

To perform job functions and meet annual objectives, up to 25% of travel in targeted regions will be required annually. 

Qualifications 

Bachelor's degree required. 

The ideal candidate will have strong people and interpersonal communication skills; an ability to combine experience in business development and relationship building with a personal passion for diversity; a solid work ethic; the initiative and willingness to accept challenges to meet goals; an interest in learning about the field of natural resources and conservation; and a belief in the valuable potential of internships to increase learning and gain work experience. 

Work Experience 

Essential

* Minimum of three years' work experience in business management; marketing; sales; program/project management; or customer service
* Minimum of one year of staff management
* Professional networking
* Demonstrable history of meeting revenue-generation goals
* Budget management, resourcefulness in maximizing limited funds 

Preferred 

* Experience working with people from multi-cultural backgrounds
* Proven results in business development, relationship building or sales 
* Experience in or knowledge of public and private sectors 
* Ability to think, plan and act strategically while implementing an annual plan 

Technical Knowledge: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, Outlook); Internet search, e-mail. 

Salary and Benefits 

This is a full-time, exempt position with a starting salary of $40,000. Available benefits include medical and dental coverage, vision plan, life and disability insurance, flexible spending account, 403(b) retirement savings plan and T-pass program. Employees are given annual paid leave of 11 holidays, 10 vacation days (vacation leave increases with tenure), up to 10 sick days and 2 personal days. 

Application Instructions 

Use preferred means below to forward your resume with a cover letter (ATTN: PM-CDDP) summarizing your key qualifications for this job and why you are interested in it. INDICATE HOW YOU LEARNED OF THIS JOB OPPORTUNITY. 

Kathy Rodman,
HR Administrator
The Environmental Careers Organization
30 Winter Street, 6th Floor,
Boston MA 02108-4720 

We hope to fill this position in July, 2006. 

EOE. We Strive For A Workforce As Diverse As The Environment We Serve.