Climate Resilience Program Manager

$76,835 - $93,909/Yr

American Society Of Landscape Architects New York Chapter - New Paltz, NY

Full-time - Mid Level

Remote - New Paltz, NY

About the position

As the Climate Resilience Program Manager, you will lead staff to implement the Climate-adaptive Communities Benefit in the Hudson River Estuary Program's Action Agenda. This role involves coordinating with communities, partners, and researchers to fund, develop, and implement innovative solutions to climate adaptation and resilience. You will manage staff and contractors to deliver effective research, outreach, technical assistance, and design on natural and equitable solutions to climate change at local, regional, and state levels. The Climate Resilience Program will focus on issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) to ensure that underrepresented groups are meaningfully engaged and that the work improves conditions in disadvantaged communities while mitigating negative impacts where feasible. You will work closely with the Hudson River Estuary Program (HREP) Manager to assist in implementing HREP Action Agenda climate resilience priorities. As an integral member of the HREP and WRI team, you will collaborate with staff from various partner programs, agencies, and organizations, participate in statewide climate adaptation policy and initiatives, and act as a technical agent or representative of the DEC. We are looking for a talented individual who excels at building and maintaining effective relationships with diverse stakeholders and is passionate about protecting and revitalizing the Hudson River and its valley. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in climate resilience science, natural resource management, and public policy, along with excellent communication skills and the ability to translate technical information into accessible language.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of the Climate-adaptive Communities Benefit in the Hudson River Estuary Program's Action Agenda.
• Coordinate with communities, partners, and researchers to develop and implement climate adaptation solutions.
• Manage staff and contractors to deliver research, outreach, technical assistance, and design on climate change solutions.
• Ensure that diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) issues are considered in climate resilience programs.
• Assist the HREP Manager in implementing climate resilience priorities outlined in the HREP Action Agenda.
• Participate in statewide climate adaptation policy and initiatives as a representative of the DEC.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Manage budgets and grants related to climate resilience programs.
• Supervise staff and coordinate projects with various stakeholders to address policy issues.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of experience in climate resilience science, natural resource management, engineering, planning, public policy, or related fields.
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills, including public speaking and the ability to translate technical information into plain language.
• In-depth knowledge of the causes and impacts of climate change and nature-based solutions for climate adaptation.
• Experience with program delivery, evaluation, and management in a public administration setting.
• Experience developing and managing budgets.
• Demonstrated aptitude for supervising others.
• Experience coordinating projects with diverse stakeholders and partners.
• Experience managing grants and/or contracts.
• Ability to multitask and adapt to competing priorities.
• Experience managing multiple projects in a deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to exercise sound and ethical judgment on behalf of the University and the Hudson River Estuary Program.
• Ability to occasionally work nights and weekends for meetings or events.
• Solid background in climate science, estuarine ecology, conservation, capacity building, and communications.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word), ArcGIS, and remote work platforms (e.g., Teams, Zoom).
• Must have reliable transportation and a valid New York State driver's license.
• Experience in supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and well-being.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree in environmental or natural science, environmental policy, planning, landscape architecture, or related field.
• Knowledge of Hudson River estuary and Hudson Valley region environmental issues.
• Working knowledge of DEIJ issues, including environmental justice.
• Familiarity with New York State climate policy and funding programs.
• Experience with program development and academic research partnerships.
• Experience facilitating policy working groups with various stakeholders.
• Experience with strategic planning and program evaluation processes.
• Ability to analyze scientific data for policy strategies and public messaging.
• Marketing or communications experience for diverse audiences.
• Ability to use GIS for mapping and spatial analysis.