Manager, Chesapeake Programs

Working out of the Washington, D.C. office, the Manager, Chesapeake Programs (Manager) supports strategic development and implementation of the Foundation’s Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund (CBSF), a collection of competitive grants programs, technical assistance, and contracted support to advance the protection and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

The Manager is responsible for working with the Foundation’s Chesapeake program staff, federal agencies, and other restoration and conservation partners to develop and implement grant making strategies that address pressing watershed and habitat conservation and restoration issues that achieve measurable conservation outcomes. They coordinate the Foundation’s Chesapeake program activities with others involved or affected by project and programmatic decisions.

The Manager is responsible for assisting in the development of funding opportunities, managing funding sources, interacting with existing and potential grant/contract recipients, coordinating proposal review, working with grantees to conceive and submit grant proposals that are aligned with NFWF’s Chesapeake Bay Business Plan and partner priorities, reviewing/approving grantee or contractor reports, coordinating with the project administration team to assure the effective implementation of the Foundation’s grant administration policies, and drafting recommendations for staff and Board action. All activities are closely coordinated with the Program Director, Chesapeake Programs, Program Coordinator(s), other Foundation staff, and public, private, and non-governmental partners.

This work is multi-disciplinary and involves significant internal and external coordination to evaluate and adapt program-level investment strategies, to continually assess the technical and programmatic merits of potential investments and to oversee effective program implementation through the cumulative efforts of grantees and contractors.

The position is based in Washington, DC, and frequent travel across the Chesapeake Bay watershed, especially in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, is required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS)

Minimum bachelor’s degree, master’s or equivalent experience preferred in biology, ecology, environmental science, public policy or related field.
Minimum three years’ experience working with government agencies and/or nongovernmental organizations on issues related to conservation and natural resource management. Candidates with specific experience working in philanthropy with or on behalf of the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership and member agencies and organizations are strongly preferred.
Demonstrated skills in the areas of project management, program management, project budgeting, collaboration with scientists and other technical experts, and development of decision support processes preferred.
Experience working with federal resource agencies, with experience managing cooperative agreements preferred.
Grants management and administration experience preferred.
Experience building consensus and managing conflict among diverse partners.
Knowledge of watershed and estuarine management issues.
Knowledge of environmental and policy challenges facing the Chesapeake Bay.
Experience working with environmental indicators and performance metrics.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to work independently in a rapidly changing environment.
Ability to work successfully in a team environment.
Computer proficiency, including databases, spreadsheets, word processing, and graphics. Experience with web content management and Geographic Information Systems is preferred.

COMPENSATION

$68K per year

Tagged as: Conservation