Community Water Advocate - Full-time

Full-time Position: 

Salary: $40,000-45,000

This is a one-year, grant-funded position, with the possibility of an extension.

The Watershed Institute, a dynamic and multifaceted non-profit conservation organization, is seeking a full-time Community Water Advocate. This position will support the Watershed’s clean water policies and actions in 30 municipalities spanning from Trenton to North Brunswick.

The Community Water Advocate has three main areas of focus:

• Conducting outreach and education to community groups and leaders in both English and Spanish speaking communities on flooding, degraded water quality and other environmental issues related to water.
• Building engagement and supporting community members who are interested in advocating for environmental issues at the local level.
• Working with Environmental Commissions, Elected Officials, and municipal staff to develop and implement strong water-related environmental policy.

This is a 40-hour a week position, although due to the nature of this work, evening hours and occasional Saturdays are required.

Qualifications: 

• Associate’s Degree or greater in political science, government, or an environmental field.
• Fluency or near fluency in Spanish.
• Knowledge of water quality and environmental issues.
• Organizational and diplomatic skills, including the ability to communicate technical information effectively to a wide range of audiences.
• Excellent writing, listening, and public speaking skills.
• Computer skills including major software packages (MS Office, G Suite) and ability to learn additional skills as necessary.
• Strong team player who is comfortable working both in a team and independently.
• Ability to prioritize multiple simultaneous projects.
• Licensed driver with own motor vehicle.
• Willingness to learn complex material.

The Watershed Institute is central New Jersey’s first environmental group. Since 1949, the organization has worked to protect and restore clean water and the natural environment in our region through conservation, advocacy, science, and education. Our offices are located in the LEED-platinum Watershed Center in Hopewell Township.

The Watershed Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a culturally diverse organization and strongly encourage applications from women and people of color.   

Applicants should email a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements by Jan. 28, 2022, to [email protected]

Watershed Nature Camp Counselor - Seasonal

The Watershed Institute is seeking enthusiastic seasonal staff for our popular summer camp program. Watershed Nature Camp is an eight-week outdoor day camp that provides immersion in nature on 950 acres in Hopewell Township (Mercer Co), NJ. We value diversity, inclusion, and respect for all living things and the land. We are committed to building a culturally diverse organization and strongly encourage applications from people of color, and neighboring communities. We strive to inspire future generations of environmental scientists and naturalists. Watershed Nature Camp staff will uphold and model these values while providing a healthy, safe, and fun experience for campers. Learn more about the Watershed Nature Camp here.

Dates: Camp sessions run Monday through Friday from June 27 – August 19, 2022 (staff must be available for at least seven of those weeks)

Training: 60 hours of mandatory training will be held between June 13 – 24

Hours: A typical workday will run from 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., but a variety of Thursday evening cookouts, Thursday overnight campouts, and offsite, overnight trips may be necessary.

Rates: $12.25-$13.25/hr. based on experience

Benefits: 

• Bi-weekly pay
• First Aid/CPR training will be provided and reimbursement for Lifeguarding certification, if desired
• Meals provided during extended programming (cookouts and overnights)
• *Transportation to and from Trenton (see *responsibility below)
  

Qualifications:

• High school graduation or equivalent and age 17 or older
• First Aid/CPR certification (we will provide, if needed)
• Experience working with diverse children or youth in an outdoor setting
• Enthusiasm for nature, the environment, and sustainability
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team in stressful situations
• Demonstrated ability in public speaking or leading group activities or games
• Adaptability and flexibility to ever-changing situations
• Ability to work outside all day during hot and humid summer weather
• Ability to walk for at least 2-6 miles a day on uneven terrain
• Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19

Responsibilities:

• Maintain and support the physical and emotional safety of all campers, including relevant safety documentation
• Work as a team with 1-2 other staff and 1-2 volunteers to supervise 10-21 campers (ages Kindergarten through 9th grade)
• Uphold camp policies, procedures, and values
• Assist in the planning and revising of weekly schedules in order to reach thematic learning goals
• Lead and/or participate in presentation aspects of the program including environmental education activities, nature crafts, outdoor survival skills, and games
• Maintain supplies for all daily activities, including the safe handling of food for cookouts and campouts
• For those working with campers in 3rd-9th grades, facilitate offsite field trips that may include touring other facilities, hiking, or boating
• For those working with the 7th-9th grade group, work as a team to facilitate two offsite overnight trips that include boating, backpacking, and camping
• *For those who would like transportation to and from Trenton, be responsible for the duties of bus monitor for campers also riding the bus

To apply: Submit your resume and a cover letter to The Watershed Institute with the subject line Watershed Nature Camp Counselor at [email protected].

The Watershed Institute is an equal opportunity employer.

Watershed Nature Camp Group Leader - Seasonal

The Watershed Institute is seeking enthusiastic seasonal staff for our popular summer camp program. Watershed Nature Camp is an eight-week outdoor day camp that provides immersion in nature on 950 acres in Hopewell Township (Mercer Co), NJ. We value diversity, inclusion, and respect for all living things and the land. We are committed to building a culturally diverse organization and strongly encourage applications from people of color, and neighboring communities. We strive to inspire future generations of environmental scientists and naturalists. Watershed Nature Camp staff will uphold and model these values while providing a healthy, safe, and fun experience for campers. Learn more about the Watershed Nature Camp here. 

Dates: Camp sessions run Monday through Friday from June 27 – August 19, 2022 (staff must be available for at least seven of those weeks)
Training: 60 hours of mandatory training will be held between June 13 – 24
Hours: A typical workday will run from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., but a variety of Thursday evening cookouts, Thursday overnight campouts, and offsite, overnight trips may be necessary.
Rates: $14.25/hr

Benefits:

● bi-weekly pay
● First Aid/CPR training will be provided, and reimbursement for Lifeguarding certification, if applicable
● Meals provided during extended programming (cookouts and overnights)

Qualifications:

• High school graduation or equivalent and age 19 or older
• First Aid/CPR certification (we will provide, if needed)
• Lifeguarding or Wilderness First Aid preferred
• Experience working with diverse children or youth in an outdoor setting
• Experience facilitating programs or experiences about nature, the environment, or sustainability
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team and make decisions in high-stress situations
• Ability to remain calm and professional during an emergency situation
• Adaptability and flexibility in ever-changing situations
• Ability to work outside all day during hot and humid summer weather
• Ability to walk for at least 2-6 miles a day on uneven terrain
• Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19
  Responsibilities:
  • Maintain and support the physical and emotional safety of all campers, including relevant safety documentation
  • Lead a team of 1-2 other staff and 1-2 volunteers to supervise 10-21 campers (ages Kindergarten through 9th grade)
  • Be a role model for camp policies, procedures, and values
  • Lead the planning and revising of weekly schedules in order to reach thematic learning goals
  • Lead and participate in presentation aspects of the program including environmental education activities, nature crafts, outdoor survival skills, and games
  • Maintain supplies for all daily activities, including the safe handling of food for cookouts and campouts
  • Provide excellent customer service to families during check-in and check-out and other in-person interactions
  • Provide constructive feedback to volunteer Counselors-in-Training on a weekly basis
  • For those working with campers in 3rd-9th grades, supervise offsite field trips that could include touring other facilities, hiking, or
  • For those working with the 7th-9th grade group, supervise 2 offsite overnight trips that include boating, backpacking, and camping

  To apply: Submit your resume and a cover letter to The Watershed Institute with the subject line Watershed Nature Camp Group Leader at [email protected].

  The Watershed Institute is an equal opportunity employer.

Director of Sustainability, Facilities & Land Conservation - Full-time

The Watershed Institute, a dynamic and multifaceted non-profit conservation organization, is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated person with strong knowledge and experience in sustainability, land stewardship and facilities maintenance to oversee the management of the organization’s 950-acre Watershed Reserve, the LEED-Platinum Watershed Center for Environmental Education, Science and Advocacy, and historic buildings. Supervising a team of professionals and dozens of volunteers, this full-time position (40 hours/wk.) is critical to the Watershed’s mission of keeping water clean, safe, and healthy. The property includes ten miles of hiking trails and hosts hundreds of programs and events each year. The Watershed Institute is committed to building a culturally diverse organization and strongly encourages applications from people of color. Full vaccination against COVID-19 is a requirement of employment.

Application Deadline: Feb. 11
Salary: Commensurate with Experience
Benefits: Health Insurance, Life & LTD Insurance, PTO and 403 (b) Retirement Plan.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Oversee the maintenance of all lands and structures owned or managed by the Institute, including compliance with all regulatory and inspection requirements.
• Identify, oversee and coordinate capital improvement projects including long-range planning, budgeting, bidding, permitting, and supervision.
• Create a campus master plan that encompasses all land and facilities owned and managed by the Watershed.
• Lead and supervise all carbon sequestration initiatives (carbon-neutral goal) on the Watershed Reserve.
• Oversee and supervise 1 FT property staff member and several part-time/seasonal staff.
• Oversee and supervise 1 FT stewardship staff member and dozens of volunteers who assist with habitat restoration projects. 
• Coordinate and supervise volunteer activities taking place on the Watershed Reserve.
• Support Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director with all existing tenant relations and joint land ownership projects currently in place.
• Support Deputy Executive Director in the coordination of facilities use/rentals.
• Recommend, oversee, coordinate and memorialize all land acquisitions.
• Manage and administer the Institute’s Green Acres project agreements and tax-exempt land documentation.
• Manage and administer all land/property filings with Hopewell Township and other requiring municipalities.
• Represent the Conservation Department on the staff Leadership Team.
• Serve as staff liaison to the Board of Trustees’ Property Committee.
• Serve on other staff-level committees focusing on property/risk management issues.
  
  Core Competencies:• Project Management & Oversight of Contractors
  • Building Maintenance
  • Land Stewardship
  • Sustainability
  • Working knowledge of green infrastructure and ability to further existing skills.
  • Working knowledge of landscape architecture best practices and ability to further existing skills.
  • Supervision & Communication
  • Budgeting
  • Stewardship Volunteer ManagementEducation & Training:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field (previous professional experience can substitute for degree)
  • Relevant Professional Certifications in Conservation, Land Management, Architecture, Engineering, Construction and/or Stewardship
  • Five years of leadership and project management experience.
  • Valid Driver’s LicenseHow to Apply:

  Cover letter with salary requirements, resume, and five professional references to [email protected].The Watershed Institute is an equal opportunity employer.