Careers

collage of three PDE pics

Urban Waters Program Manager

BACKGROUND

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and improving the health of the Delaware Estuary, which supplies clean drinking water for millions of people and provides valuable resources for businesses, governments, and communities, including those that are overburdened or economically distressed. PDE pursues clean waters, healthy habitats, and strong communities by:

  • Leading science-based efforts to prevent pollution, protect wetlands, and restore mussels and oysters;
  • Partnering with governments, nonprofits, corporations, and the public to restore the vital waters that nourish our communities; and
  • Fostering care and support for the health of the entire estuary through festivals, workshops, river cleanups and other special events.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Urban Waters Program Manager is a forward-thinking person who oversees the day-to-day administrative and programmatic activities related to the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary’s role as the lead of the Delaware Urban Waters Federal Partnership (UWFP) program and supports other outreach-based initiatives in urban areas located in the Delaware Estuary. The Manager initiates and leads the design, development, and implementation of projects and initiatives related to public and partner engagement in Philadelphia, Chester, Pennsylvania, Camden, New Jersey, and Wilmington, Delaware, and other overburdened/under-resourced communities.

JOB FUNCTIONS
Manages day-to-day operations of PDE’s Urban Waters work:

  • Provides leadership for the UWFP and serves as its location ambassador.
  • Leads and facilitates meetings and events that convene the UWFP organizational partners.
  • Coordinates with external partners to ensure the UWFP is relevant and that its organizational membership continues to grow.
  • Leads projects and activities in coordination with other PDE staff or external partner organizations, including multiple small collaborative community projects, festivals, and symposia.
  • Oversees program timelines and budgets, tracks deliverables, and monitors key metrics.
  • Assists in writing grant proposals and grant reporting, contract management, and the development of policies and procedures related to UWFP projects and other urban initiatives.
  • Cultivates project opportunities with partners based on shared goals related to the unique challenges faced by urban communities.
  • Oversees creation of UWFP-related materials on the website and social media platforms.
  • Manages other staff assigned to work on PDE’s urban engagement work.

Department and organizational activities:

  • Assists with the implementation of efforts related to successful proposal development, grant management, and reporting related to the implementation of the Delaware Estuary Program’s Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP)
  • Fosters new and existing partnerships to advance the goals of the Delaware Estuary Program’s Comprehensive Conservation & Management Plan.
  • Serves as an ambassador for PDE and the Delaware Estuary Program.
  • Identifies opportunities to position PDE’s science and engagement work within the broader regional context.
  • Assists the Engagement Director in coordinating and managing local engagement activities.
  • Identifies business opportunities to improve PDE engagement.
  • Performs other tasks as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

  • Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies or a similar field from a college or university and 3 years of work experience, or at least 5 years of work experience in a related field such as communications and outreach or watershed sciences.
  • Demonstrated strong project management and facilitation skills. Coordination of projects in urban areas is a plus.
  • Demonstrated commitment to and passion for engaging underrepresented communities.
  • Sensitivity to cross-cultural dynamics and experience working with a diverse set of partners and team members.
  • Demonstrated understanding of water quality challenges and solutions.
  • Strong organizational skills, multi-tasking ability, flexible mindset, and attention to detail.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with diverse public and private constituencies.
  • Experience leading and working in a team environment with staff, partners, and volunteers.
  • Demonstrated ability for problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making.
  • Demonstrated experience organizing meetings, events, and conferences.
  • Proficient in MS Office and Google suites.
  • Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Satisfactory background check.
  • Valid United States driver’s license and ability to travel to meetings as needed.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Time spent in this position will be split between being in an office setting, remote work, and in the community including external meetings. Work hours may occasionally shift depending on task needs. Occasionally, there will be a need to work at night or on a weekend day.

OFFICE LOCATION
110 S. Poplar St., Wilmington, DE 19801

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
Reports to: Director of Engagement

SALARY AND COMPENSATION
Full-time, exempt position with an annual salary of $55,279. PDE offers a competitive benefits plan for full-time employees, which includes health/dental/vision, paid leave (including vacation, sick time, paid holidays), matching contributions to a Simple IRA, and supplemental employee wellness benefits.

TO APPLY
Closing Date: Until Filled

Send a resume and cover letter explaining your interest in the position to
jharrod@delawareestuary.org or to ATTN: John Harrod, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, 110 South Poplar Street, Suite 202, Wilmington, DE 19801 via USPS.

Read More About this Job. Click to apply to this Job.

Science Intern – Wetlands & Nature-Based Restoration

Do you like the outdoors, getting dirty, and supporting clean water initiatives? The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE), a regional environmental non-profit organization based in Wilmington, Delaware, seeks to fill a part-time, seasonal Science Intern position.

The Science Intern will assist with ongoing coastal and riverine research, monitoring, and field projects, laboratory/GIS-related activities, and data and reporting tasks. Expected job functions are as follows:

  • Assist with field equipment maintenance
  • Assist with data capture, QA/QC, and entry
  • Assist with tracking deliverables and key project metrics
  • Assist with restoration project installation and monitoring primarily related to living shorelines
  • Participate in additional science field work as needed
  • Help prepare wetlands/restoration project materials for website and social media platforms

Candidates must possess an Associate’s (or higher) degree from a college or university in environmental science or related field, OR be in at least their third year of a comparable Bachelor’s degree program, OR have at least 1 year of work experience in a related field. The Science Intern needs to have experience working outdoors for extended periods of time (>3hrs), and familiarity with Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, Excel).  Familiarity with the Delaware Estuary and scientific research is also important, as well as the ability to work cooperatively and be flexible. A valid driver’s license and United States citizenship or a valid visa to work in the US are required.  Good organizational skills, multi-tasking, and attention to detail are important, as well as proficient written and oral communication skills. Candidates must be capable of lifting 40 pounds, as well as sit and stand for at least 4 hours at a time.

Time spent in this position will be split between office (PDE office or remote home office) and outdoor settings. Tasks will also be completed in a storage/warehouse facility or in field locations (outdoor, rural settings). Work hours may shift depending on the tides or project assignment. Employees must be able to transport themselves to any field or work locations within a 2-hour radius of Wilmington, DE. All computer equipment and necessary field equipment will be provided as needed.

This position is paid $24 an hour and is a temporary (up to six months, with potential for renewal), part-time (up to 35 hrs per week), non-exempt position.

Interested applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and one-page cover letter by close of business May 3, 2024: to lhaaf@delawareestuary.org via e-mail. The cover letter should include: 1) where the applicant encountered the advertisement; 2) why the applicant is interested in working at PDE; 3) how the applicant’s experience makes them a good candidate; and 4) a description of the applicant’s long-term goals. The applicant’s description of what makes them a good candidate and how PDE can help the applicant achieve long-term goals are particularly important to address in the cover letter (over reiterating material in resumes) as this will help PDE select a diverse interviewee pool.

Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of religious affiliation, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any category that becomes protected by federal labor law.  Candidates must be able to work legally in the United States.

 

Click to apply to this Job.