TITLE: End User Liaison / Online Marketplace Developer for Native Plant Material Supply Chain

POSITION: Salaried, fully remote, travel throughout the Mid-Atlantic may be required.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND:
MARSB’s mission is twofold.
1) To conserve and wisely manage the region’s wild seed resources, through scientific sampling, ethical collection, and banking and curation to national standards. MARSB’s efforts will increase the availability of genetically appropriate native seed across the Mid-Atlantic for use in conservation, land management, ecological restoration, and horticulture.
2) To encourage and actively contribute to the development of the Native Plant Material supply chain throughout the mid-Atlantic region. The supply chain in the mid-Atlantic, though it has existed for over forty years, is significantly underdeveloped and largely informal. MARSB seeks to stimulate the development of a more mature, sustainable supply chain.

JOB DESCRIPTION:
Under the direct supervision of and working closely with the Executive Director, this position will serve  two key functions - to develop and foster relationships with the end users of native plant materials and to develop on online marketplace where native plant material (NPM) producers and end users can be connected to ensure a sustainable and efficient NPM supply chain.

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. End User Liaison
a. Conduct outreach to all levels of supply chain consumers (Federal, State and Municipal Agencies; NGOs; Funded Programs and Projects, Horticultural sector, etc.) regarding the complexities of the Native Plant Material Development (NPMD) supply chain, particularly:
i. Native Plant Material (NPM) development time frames;
ii. The essential role of consumer drivers (especially large consumers) in developing the supply chain;
iii. The necessity of long term projections of consumer needs; and
iv. The complexities of how they procure, as well as impediments to long term projections of need, including policy and administrative law.
b. Present the concept and model for a NPMD Online Marketplace (O.M.) to end users
i. Seek their participation
ii. Establish communication link to maintain contact and keep need projections updated and current over time

2. Online Marketplace Developer
a. Develop a schematic model and proposed timeline for an Online Marketplace (O.M.) as the basis for hiring a contractual web developer
b. Contract a web developer
c. Supervise and work closely with web developer to produce the O.M.
d. Beta test and then launch the O.M.
e. On an on-going basis, liaise with both consumers and producers to populate and use the O.M.
f. Act as a neutral third party to facilitate contact between consumers and producers.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

A successful candidate will possess a combination of core knowledge, interpersonal, strategic, analytic, and technical skills.

1. MARSB Program Expertise
a. Ability to learn and effectively communicate MARSB’s comprehensive approach to building a regional supply chain as embodied in its six part program

2. Policy Knowledge
a. Familiarity with government and agency policy and procedure, administrative laws, and procurement policies as they pertain to staging projects, funding purchase of and procuring NPMs
b. Knowledge of legislative processes at local, state, and/or federal levels as they pertain to the need for and securing of NPMs for proposed and enacted legislation.

3. Research & Analytical Thinking
a. Ability to analyze and research consumer policy as it relates to procuring NPMs.

4. Communication Skills
a. Strong written and verbal skills to advocate effectively and engage staff, policy makers, procurement specialists and all other stakeholders in effective dialogue leading to positive outcomes for their engagement in the O.M.
b. Ability to communicate NPMD and supply chain complexities into clear, compelling messaging and explain the benefits persuasively
c. Ability to build strong customer relationships and ensure stakeholders have a positive experience and are likely to continue engagement
d. Ability to build coalitions to unite diverse groups (e.g., consumers and producers) toward shared goals of a sustained supply chain in essential NPMs.

5. Campaign Planning & Strategy
a. Develop long-term strategies that recognize institutional impediments and chart stepwise course to influence necessary changes to NPMD and procurement.

6. Adaptability & Political Awareness
a. Exhibit flexibility and the ability to pivot strategies depending on stakeholders needs and responses. Stay alert to political and agency shifts and shifts in key personnel
b. Problem-solve, identify stakeholders impediments to engagement in O.M. and suggest tailored solutions that result in a positive outcome
7. Self-Management, Time Management, and Organization
a. Manage multiple outreaches, issues, meetings, and deadlines simultaneously and effectively; prioritize to maintain effectiveness and manage stress
b. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) proficiency; keep stakeholder data organized and up to date; consider use of CRM software to facilitate proficiency

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:
● Deep understanding of:
o Agency policy and administrative law frameworks
o Legislative and regulatory frameworks
o Political systems and legislative processes
● Familiarity with conservation, biodiversity, land management, restoration ecology, or similar focus areas
● Previous work in any of these areas:
o Government agencies
o Any aspect of Native Plant Material Development (NPMD) or the Native Plant Material (NPM) supply chain
o Legislative affairs
o Advocacy organizations (e.g., Sierra Club, NRDC)
o Congressional offices
● Demonstrated success influencing public or agency policy and/or legislation
● Legal and legislative literacy
● Digital literacy (software; communications tools)
● Master’s degree in one of these areas:
o Environmental Sciences
o Public Policy

TERMS: $78,300 salaried one year position with the potential to renew. Vacation and sick leave.