Restore the Mississipi River Delta

Job Opening: Volunteer Coordinator, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana

 Location: 6160 Perkins Rd., Suite 225, Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Title: Volunteer Coordinator

Reports To: Restoration Program Director and Executive Director

Start Date: As soon as possible

The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL) is a non-profit organization that has been working to restore and protect a sustainable coastal Louisiana for over 25 years. One way that CRCL accomplishes its mission is through its Restoration Program which works to restore coastal habitat by engaging and educating volunteers in a variety of wetland restoration projects. Since 2000, CRCL's Restoration Program has recruited over 9,000 volunteers to help restore 3,700 acres of coastal habitat.

CRCL is looking for a passionate, motivated, and organized individual to serve as the Volunteer Coordinator for Restoration Program. From dune restoration on the Cameron shoreline to marsh plantings in Terrebonne Parish to cypress forest restoration on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, CRCL's Restoration Program partners with local, state, and federal agencies, landowners, corporations, and other organizations to utilize volunteer labor for on-the-ground restoration projects across the coast.

The Volunteer Coordinator will recruit and lead volunteers on multiple on-going volunteer-based coastal restoration projects, identify project sites, coordinate with project partners, and assist with program promotion. The Volunteer Coordinator must be an innovative and outgoing team player able to work with numerous partners, federal and state agencies and volunteers.

Summary of Duties

• Under the direct supervision of the Restoration Program Director, plan, manage and coordinate 15-20 volunteer restoration project days each year.
• The position will be responsible for recruiting, training, and coordinating volunteers at the restoration site, and will also be responsible for acknowledging and recognizing volunteer contributions following the event.
• Develop volunteer recruitment, training, and management protocol to help CRCL systematically recruit and increase the base of active volunteers.
• Help maintain the CRCL volunteer database and Facebook page.
• Record and manage project data (number of plants, length of fence installed, acres restored) including preparation and presentation of information for CRCL outreach purposes.
• Participate in CRCL outreach events.

Qualifications

• Minimum of bachelor's degree, preferably in an ecological field, environmental science, natural resource management or related field; or can demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully execute the position.
• General knowledge of estuarine ecology and Louisiana's coastal land loss issues.
• Must be outgoing and possess leadership skills.
• The ability to work on several projects simultaneously with little supervision.
• Able to work evenings and weekends – some weekend travel is required.
• Fluent in Excel, PowerPoint, Word and at least a working knowledge of photo-editing software.
• Excellent social and interpersonal skills.
• Well organized with a strong attention to detail and timelines.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly grasp new concepts, approaches and systems.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills and presentation skills; able to convey technical information in common language.
  • Experience and comfort with public speaking.
• Comfort (and preferably experience) with field work in coastal environments.
  • Must be able to walk through marsh ecosystems while carrying up to 30 pounds.
• Valid driver's license, safe driving record, and reliable transportation.
• Ability to operate a towing vehicle, boat, 4-wheeler and/or other field equipment is a plus.

Timeframe

• This position is a full time position with funding for one year. Continuation of the position is important to CRCL and will be contingent on the availability of additional funds.

Compensation

• Salary commensurate with qualifications.
• Health insurance and retirement benefits.
• Paid holiday and sick leave (following a required 3-month trial period).

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and short writing sample to:
Hilary Collis
hilaryc@crcl.org
6160 Perkins Road, Suite 225
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
(888) LACOAST

No phone calls please

Job Opening: Restoration Project Analyst, Environmental Defense Fund

With world attention focused on both the environment and the economy, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions. This leading green group, with programs from Boston to Beijing, has tripled in size over the past decade by focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches. You can be part of a vibrant workplace that welcomes diverse perspectives, talents and contributions, where innovation and a focus on results are a way of life.

Environmental Defense Fund is partnered with two other leading national environmental groups and a number of local Louisiana groups in a bold initiative to restore the Mississippi River Delta system.

Key Functions

As a member of the Mississippi River Delta Restoration science committee, the Restoration Project Analyst will provide timely support to coalition efforts to identify, evaluate, and prioritize environmental restoration projects, particularly those funded by the Natural Resource Damage Assessment process or the RESTORE Act Restoration Trust Fund. They will develop and implement systems for communicating and integrating findings and results to EDF and other coalition committees. The Analyst will assist the S&E Projects Director by supporting science and engineering efforts of a coalition of non-governmental organizations (NGO) to develop solutions that address both environmental and economic issues associated with restoration and resilience goals of the Mississippi River Delta.
This is a 2-year term position.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure timely relevant input to the Mississippi River Delta Restoration NGO-coalition to drive conception, design, evaluation, selection, and prioritization of restoration projects.
• Develop strategy for monitoring and tracking of implementation of restoration projects, and systemize advocating for integrating sound science into planning, construction and operation of restoration projects performed by federal, state, or local entities.
• Maintain frequent contact with governmental restoration project managers to monitor the status of restoration projects.
• Track the science work plan and Mississippi River Delta Restoration work plan science deliverables, and prepare documentation of status for internal and external progress reports.
• Research, analyze, and synthesize information on topics related to environmental restoration Assist with internal and external restoration science communications.
• Assist preparation of reports, communications materials, and position papers.
• Provide other technical and program management support to the Director, Science and Engineering Projects – Mississippi River Delta.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in marine biology, oceanography, environmental studies, physical geography, engineering, or other relevant environmental field of study.
• A broad understanding of coastal and deltaic systems and knowledge of coastal Louisiana restoration efforts and projects. Strong analytical skills and experience in performing rigorous analysis in support of highly visible work.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills sufficient to communicate effectively with both the scientific and lay audiences on science and engineering issues.
• The ability to work with colleagues and partners of varied backgrounds and experience.
• An ability to work both independently and as a member of a team in a fast-paced, dynamic and creative environment requiring ability to juggle tasks to meet deadlines with rapidly changing business priorities.
• Skilled in use of standard business software such as MS Office Suite.
• Data analysis and visualization experience with MATLAB and ArcGIS highly valued.
• A demonstrated commitment to conservation or environmental issues is preferred but not required.
• Ability and willingness to travel as much as 50% of time to the Louisiana area.

Due to the volume of employment applications and queries received, EDF is unable to respond to each application individually. Applicants will be contacted directly if selected as a candidate.

To apply, please click here.

Environmental Defense Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employee

Job Opening: Senior Policy Specialist, Mississippi River Delta Restoration Campaign, National Wildlife Federation

DESCRIPTION:
The Senior Policy Specialist will be responsible for National Wildlife Federation’s national portion of the Mississippi River Delta Restoration Campaign (MRDRC) to secure authorization and federal funding for restoring the Mississippi River Delta, in concert with team members in Louisiana and nationwide, with NWF’s Gulf Coast Restoration team, and with our MRDRC partner organizations. This position will be responsible for working within NWF and with our partners on this campaign to advance efforts to restore the delta. Specifically, the Senior Policy Specialist will focus on national campaign planning, political strategy, policy analysis, lobbying, and some national media outreach.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Advocate for NWF’s and MRDR campaign’s priorities to Congress and the Administration. This includes Authorizations through Water Resource Development Act (WRDA) and appropriations. This includes policy analysis, materials production, and participation in relevant meetings.

• Advocate for NWF’s and MRDR campaign’s priorities with Congress and the Administration on Restore Act, NRDA, WRDA and other Federal program implementation. This includes ensuring MRD projects are a priority in any Comprehensive Gulf Restoration Plan. This includes materials production, participation in relevant meetings and policy analysis.

• Coordinate with Gulf Restoration Team on gulf-wide restorations.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental or public policy, natural resources or other related field. Advanced degree preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

• At least 7 years progressively responsible experience required in helping develop and implement advocacy campaigns, grassroots organizing, media, and environmental advocacy.

SKILLS:

• Must be knowledgeable of how Federal agencies and Congress work.
• Ability to work with Congress and the Administration to achieve priority initiatives.
• Strategic thinker, self-starter, well organized and have a demonstrated ability to set goals and meet deadlines.
• Must possess ability to work collaboratively with others as well as independently.
• Strong ability to communicate effectively with media as well as key decision makers.
• Proficient in computer applications, including Microsoft Office Suite 2007/2010.

LOCATION: Washington, D.C.

National Wildlife Federation is America’s largest conservation organization, passionate about protecting wildlife for our children’s future. NWF offers an excellent benefits package. NWF is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity.

Link to job posting: http://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH18/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=NWF&cws=1&rid=500

Job opening: Tom Graff Fellow, Environmental Defense Fund

With world attention focused on both the environment and the economy, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions. This leading green group, with programs from Boston to Beijing, has tripled in size over the past decade by focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches. You can be part of a vibrant workplace that welcomes diverse perspectives, talents and contributions, where innovation and a focus on results are a way of life.

Position Description: The Mississippi River Delta is a vast mosaic of marshes and forested wetlands, estuaries, navigable waterways and islands. The delta’s habitats sustain enormous populations of wildlife and have given birth to some of our country’s most distinctive cultures and traditions. Among those cultures are inshore fisherman, including oystermen and shrimpers, many of whom are Native Americans and African Americans, who rely on the coast to sustain their livelihoods and ways of life just as their ancestors did. Since the 1930s, human alterations to the Mississippi River system have caused Louisiana to lose about 1,900 square miles of land – land that has disappeared into open water. Proposed delta restoration efforts, such as large-scale river diversions, will change current habitat quality; consequently, near shore fisherman are not only reticent to support restoration efforts, they comprise a potentially vocal opposition.

Job opening: Mississippi Flyway Communications Director, National Audubon Society

Overview:

Now in its second century, the National Audubon Society is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. Audubon’s mission is engaging people in bird conservation on a hemispheric scale through science, policy, education and on-the-ground conservation action. By mobilizing and aligning its network of Chapters, Centers, State and Important Bird Area programs in the four major migratory flyways in the Americas, the organization will bring the full power of Audubon to bear on protecting common and threatened bird species and the critical habitat they need to survive. And as part of BirdLife International, Audubon will join people in over 100 in-country organizations all working to protect a network of Important Bird Areas around the world, leveraging the impact of actions they take at a local level. What defines Audubon’s unique value is a powerful grassroots network of nearly 500 local chapters, 23 state offices, 43 Audubon Centers, Important Bird Area Programs in 46 states, and 700 staff across the country. Audubon is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

Position Summary:

The Communications Director for the Gulf Coast and Mississippi Flyway will play a key role in raising awareness of and building a constituency for conservation of Audubon priorities within the Mississippi Flyway, with special emphasis on Mississippi River Delta restoration. The director will lead the development and implementation of an integrated communications strategy, working in concert with Audubon staff within the flyway and nationally and with partner organizations. As a direct report to the VP, Gulf Coast/Mississippi Flyway, the Communications Director will also provide counsel on overall strategic direction within the flyway and along the Gulf Coast, as well as related to national communications issues.

Location: Baton Rouge, La.

For more information and how to apply, please visit: https://careers-audubon.icims.com/jobs/1391/job.