We're protecting and enhancing America's National Park System for present and future generations.

National Parks Conversation Association (NPCA), the nation’s oldest and largest national parks nonprofit advocate, has an exciting opportunity for a Delaware River Field Representative to join our Mid-Atlantic Regional Office.  

When you join NPCA, you will become part of a highly supportive community that believes in respect through understanding and is guided by our core values: Commitment, Inclusion, Integrity and Respect. Our core values embolden us to achieve excellence, unites us and fuels our commitment to become leaders fulfilling our shared mission for protecting and enhancing America’s national parks for present and future generations.

Location: Philadelphia, PA Metro Area or Wilmington, DE Metro Area preferred (Remote)

Salary: $50k - $55k based on experience (Grade L)

Benefits: We offer competitive compensation and benefits including a four-day, 32-hour work week, paid sabbaticals for staff after seven years of service and more. Learn more about our benefits.

Position Overview:

The Delaware River Field Representative will build support for national parks and develop a diverse constituency of park champions within the Delaware River watershed, with a specific focus on Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Middle Delaware National Scenic River, Lower Delaware Scenic & Recreational River, Valley Forge National Historical Park, and First State National Historical Park. The Delaware River Field Representative will deepen our work in communities and build trust in order to protect these national park units and achieve community and conservation gains within the broader watershed landscape.

Guided by the Mid-Atlantic Climate and Clean Water Program Manager and in collaboration with the broader NPCA team, the Field Representative will advance strategies to ensure the natural and cultural resources in our parks are protected, preserved, restored and resilient for the enjoyment of current and future generations.

While focused on ensuring parks thrive and are welcome to everyone, the Field Representative will also help work to lead community engagement efforts to diversify constituencies for national parks and clean water.

Essential Functions:

Build Community Support for National Parks (50%)

• Build a community of new and diverse advocates to advance regional and national campaigns to protect parks for current and future generations, with a specific focus on parks in the Delaware River watershed.
• Lead efforts to engage Latino visitors and develop strategic partnerships with stakeholders that increases awareness about national parks and provides information accessible in both English and Spanish.
• Develop and manage authentic and reciprocal relationships with an effective set of allies along the Middle and Lower Delaware River, including advocacy coalitions, gateway area businesses, chambers of commerce, local elected officials, universities, social justice organizations and other cultural heritage and conservation organizations.
• Attend community meetings, conduct informational public forums, connect constituents with elected officials, organize outdoor group experiences, and carry out other forms of community education that promote and advance campaign goals.
• Support recruitment and ongoing efforts for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Leadership Council and Young Professionals Advisory Council by engaging Council members to take action in support of regional and national park campaigns, and support for our national parks.

Protect and Enhance Natural and Cultural Resources in National Parks (30%)

• In collaboration with the Mid-Atlantic Climate and Clean Water Program Manager, support efforts to advocate for clean water policies, as well as funding to advance landscape conservation and climate resilience.
• Work with relevant stakeholders to ensure that national parks are protected from incompatible development that impacts viewsheds, harms water quality, and reduces connected lands and habitat.
• In collaboration with the Mid-Atlantic Indigenous Partnerships Field Representative, support efforts to connect Indigenous peoples to their ancestral homelands and engage local Tribes in advocacy.
• Work as part of Mid-Atlantic team to identify, design and implement campaigns and programs to increase support for cultural resources within our national parks.

Communications and Administrative Support (10%):

• Provide logistical support for relevant activities within the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office including Regional Council meetings and other events and meetings as requested. Responsibilities include coordinating internal and external requests for information, maintaining website and communication tools as requested and coordination of internal reports for Regional Programs.
• Produce summaries of program work and campaign milestones/achievements for NPCA supporters and internal stakeholders.

Development (10%):

• Collaborate with the Mid-Atlantic team and Development staff to identify and steward major donors, foundation representatives and other donors. Assist in preparation of funding proposals and reports. Support fundraising events, tours, VIP trips and other activities as requested.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 2-4 years of relevant lived or worked experience; BS/BA preferred.
• Background or experience in natural/cultural resources preferred but not required.
• Proficiency in both English and Spanish language is preferred.
• Proven ability to manage time effectively, coordinate multiple projects, handle details, work effectively under pressure with minimum to moderate supervision.
• Ability to build trust and reciprocal relationships with communities and organizations, to organize people around shared goals and interests, and the understanding of how civic involvement leads to outcomes.
• Capacity to respond to requests and complete tasks in a timely, high-quality manner, manage and meet deadlines, and to produce high quality work is required.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, reliably and as part of a team in a virtual setting. Must be comfortable working collaboratively on a daily basis as part of a closely-knit team of professional colleagues.
• Professional presentation and excellent writing and oral communications skills are essential.
• Outgoing individual comfortable with community engagement and public speaking.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, the internet for research and other basic computer skills is required.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Demonstrates an awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations. Contributes to the creation of a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.

Travel:

Regional travel is required for meetings and events as determined by business needs. Travel outside of the Delaware River watershed required approximately three to four times a year for meetings and retreats.

Green 2.0 Pledge: Our organization is committing to conducting a pay equity analysis of staff compensation to look at differences in compensation in regard to race, ethnicity, and gender, to collect and analyze relevant data, and take corrective actions to remediate pay disparities.

Physical Effort and Dexterity:  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is typically required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; talk or hear. The employee may lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job may include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

NPCA is committed to diversity among its employees and hiring practices.  All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Physical Environment: Typical home office setting; field work in national parks and on-site with stakeholders.

Employer’s Rights:  NPCA reserves the right to revise this position description at any time.  The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the NPCA and employee and is subject to change by the NPCA as the needs of the NPCA and requirements of the job change. The above is in no way an exhaustive list of the requirements for the position.

COVID-19: Please be aware that NPCA requires all employees who are required to work onsite, whether regularly or sporadically to be vaccinated for COVID-19. This position will require the successful candidate to show proof of vaccination. NPCA is an equal opportunity employer and will provide reasonable accommodation to those individuals who are unable to be vaccinated consistent with federal, state, and local law. *This does not apply to applicants residing in Montana, Tennessee, and Florida.