Project: Growing Regional Resilience Coordination on Aquidneck Island 

The Aquidneck Land Trust has been awarded funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Office of Coastal Zone Management via their Climate Resilience Regional Challenge competitive grant opportunity. The project seeks to grow regional resilience coordination on Aquidneck Island through planning and capacity building, extending the work of previous efforts, continuing ongoing projects, and tackling new initiatives as one island community. Aquidneck Land Trust will serve as the host organization, working closely with the island municipalities of Newport, Middletown, and Portsmouth, in addition to Naval Station Newport and other community partners.

The Community Engagement Manager will play a critical role in promoting the resilience and sustainability efforts of this project. The role will involve developing and implementing a comprehensive public engagement strategy. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of how to work with and alongside the local community and be able to build and strengthen relationships across a wide range of partners. This person should be passionate about meaningful community engagement, environmental justice, and be aware of the intersectionality of local climate issues. The candidate should be able to communicate complex challenges to a variety of audiences and bring a solutions-oriented mindset, seeking to work with Aquidneck Island communities to build resilience to not only survive, but thrive in the face of a changing climate. The role will require evening meetings and weekend events at times. This position will report to the Director of Climate Resilience and work alongside a Resilience and Sustainability Specialist. There is the potential to supervise and/or mentor an early-career professional participating in a two-year fellowship program.

Responsibilities

1. Community Engagement • Developing and implementing a strategy for robust community engagement throughout the initiative, including strategies for engagement during the climate resilience action planning process and creation and implementation of on-the-ground projects • Assisting to form and lead 2-3 working groups based on experience in the following topic areas: environmental justice, flooding, water quality, coastal resilience, food systems, conservation, transportation, housing, emergency management, and circular economy and sustainability • Organizing and coordinating workshops, community events, and educational programs, leveraging available NOAA Technical Assistance as necessary • Raising awareness of the community on climate issues and providing opportunities for all populations to be involved in creating community-based solutions, with a particular focus on environmental justice areas and neighborhoods particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts.

2. Public Education and Communication • Collaborating with staff and local partners, utilizing NOAA technical assistance, to inform the community of resilience and sustainability initiatives across the island by creating educational resources and distributing information through both print materials and digital content via website, social media, newsletters, or other forms of communication as deemed desirable by the community • Raising awareness of the broader community on climate resilience and sustainability issues, as well as providing updates and progress reports of ongoing projects via digital communications and attendance at relevant municipal council or commission meetings and community events

3. Marketing • Working closely with project staff and to-be-hired marketing and website development consultant(s) on the creation of branding materials, development of a website, and launching of social media channels • Posting on social media, creating periodic e-newsletters, writing blogs, and updating the website

Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Environmental Studies, Urban Planning, or a related field. Master’s Degree is preferred.  
Experience: 3-5 years of experience in community engagement, public education, environmental justice, or related work. Experience in or familiarity with non-profit, governmental, municipal, or community-based organizations is highly desirable. 

Skills (required): strong communication and interpersonal skills (written and verbal); ability to build and strengthen relationships with diverse partners including community members and groups, organizations, businesses, and municipal staff; proficiency in developing and managing print and digital content, including websites, social media, and e-newsletters; robust organizational skills; attention to detail; familiarity with issues related to climate resilience; ability to facilitate complex community dialogues; cultural competency and humility; Microsoft 365 products, apps, and services; Adobe software Skills (preferred): experience with GIS; fluent in Spanish; familiarity with graphic design programs or software; existing relationships with Aquidneck Island communities and knowledge of local perspectives; understanding of local government processes.

Salary: $60,000 - $70,000, plus benefits

Location: Aquidneck Island, Rhode Island (hybrid-remote, must be based locally)

Job Type: Full-time, exempt position, grant funded for up to 4 years

Schedule: 37.5 hours / week 

Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to this online form by November 4, 2024.