Schuylkill Highlands Conservation Landscape Program Manager

Natural Lands

The Schuylkill Highlands Conservation Landscape (SHCL) Program Manager is a full-time position that will work with department leadership and partners in the defined landscape, located at the intersection of the Schuylkill River and PA Highlands, to advance and achieve the program goals with determination and energy to accelerate the work of the long-standing partnership. The partnership is a mature coalition of federal, state, county, and municipal governments, and non-governmental organizations working together to advance project action in a six-county area including all of Berks, Northern Chester, western Montgomery and Bucks, and a very small section of Lebanon and Lancaster Counties. The landscape-scale partnership collaborative engages a diversity of stakeholders in the specific regional geography of the Schuylkill River watershed and the federally designated PA Highlands. The partnership accomplishes shared conservation, outdoor recreation goals and enhanced public access and amenities at natural areas, parks and trails and nature-based solutions to revitalize communities.

The position’s primary responsibility is to lead the joint public-private efforts of the Schuylkill Highlands Conservation Landscape, one of eight defined conservation landscapes by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). This position manages a complex program requiring experience in planning, natural resource management, politics, and program management.

The position is employed by Natural Lands, outside the SHCL landscape. Community Conservation Partnerships Program Grants provide resources along with other supportive grants for the Schuylkill Highlands Conservation Landscape work plan priorities and the organization’s role in supporting the work.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Provide leadership, support, and serve as the primary point of contact for the SHCL’s management/governance structure to implement projects and plans for the SHCL.
  • Engage strategically to continue to build and strengthen the network of partners and enhance the visibility and brand of the Schuylkill Highlands Conservation Landscape, and its Partnership.
  • Develop a yearly work plan, execute projects, events, and meetings that advance the SHCL goals, and a year-end report identifying annual major accomplishments.
  • Prepare and present bi-monthly updates to DCNR and attend monthly state-wide conservation landscape meetings.
  • Prepare SHCL Organizational Updates as requested for Natural Lands.
  • Gather landscape-wide metrics at year end and place into DCNR’s conservation landscapes data base.
  • Participate in a statewide annual conservation landscapes program meeting located outside SHCL.
  • Develop and maintain grant funding for the SHCL to accomplish its goals, including completing grant applications. Oversee implementation of grant scope activities.
  • Manage projects for collaborative SHCL plans, and projects undertaken.
  • Develop and maintain exceptional relationships and communications with staff and key partners throughout the landscape and serve as a resource.
  • Share opportunities with conservation staff.
  • Maintain relationships with statewide conservation landscapes.
  • Plan and collaborate with partners to host SH Partnership events, project celebrations, tours to promote the landscape, Legislative Breakfasts, outdoor fests, and project celebrations.
  • Coordinate the SH Partnership meeting planning, agenda, speakers, MailChimp communications, and logistics.
  • Convene the Advisory Committee twice per year.
  • Update the SHCL website with occasional news, mini-grant awardees Fact Sheets, and related website matters.
  • Create two news updates per year and share broadly, prepare press releases, currently through Mailchimp.
  • Continue to accelerate project work through the mini grant program and expand available funding to support partners.
  • Attend relevant sub landscape meetings representing the SHCL.
  • Attend related PA We Conserve trails, greenways, and land protection conferences, and collaborate on speaker opportunities for marketing the SHCL.
  • Attend Natural Lands Conservation Department meeting and other relevant Natural Lands staff meetings.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Conservation, Planning, Political Science, or a related field, with five to seven years’ work experience related to recreation and conservation. Master’s Degree preferred;
  • Program management specifically coordinating dispersed partners working on collaborative outcomes;
  • Experience working with state, and local governments;
  • Knowledge of trails and amenities, outdoor recreation, nature-based tourism, and land and water conservation in Pennsylvania and preferably in this landscape;
  • Grant writing experience with public agencies;
  • Ability to successfully handle multiple projects simultaneously;
  • Good organizational skills and attention to detail;
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills;
  • Experience with Microsoft Office programs;
  • Willingness and ability to assist and work with a wide variety of people;
  • Self starter capable of working independently with minimal supervision;
  • Demonstrated enthusiastic and positive attitude.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

This position includes a combination of office work, occasional field work, and travel to and from project sites and events.  The position is hybrid with a minimum of two days a week in the office. Office work requires frequent sitting for long periods, with occasional periods of walking, standing, bending, and reaching. The position requires use of the computer and the telephone. The position requires work at outdoor sites, including driving and walking and standing on uneven terrain. Work is primarily indoors, but candidate must be prepared to work outdoors under all conditions, including heat, cold, and with occasional exposure to poison ivy, biting and stinging insects, etc. A reliable vehicle and valid driver’s license are required for travel to sites throughout the SHCL.

Natural Lands is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. We aim to build a workplace where employees feel empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. We welcome you to explore a career at Natural Lands.

How to Apply

Applications will be submitted ONLINE.