The Elizabeth River Project is hiring for the full-time position of Engagement Manager. The Engagement Manager will take a lead role in building community relationships and participation in ERP programs through outreach and event coordination at the Ryan Resilience Lab. This position requires exceptional organizational skills and a passion for environmental education and community engagement.

Schedule will vary between Monday-Friday and Tuesday-Saturday with frequent weeknights as needed to meet the staffing requirements for programs and events.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The Engagement Manager may not have strengths in all of the following relevant but diverse areas of need, but will have enthusiasm for the mission and a willingness to learn.

Program & Event Coordination:

• Support the coordination and execution of environmental education programs, workshops, and activities at the Ryan Resilience Lab.
• Help coordinate program & event timelines, budgets, vendors, reporting and workflows to ensure efficient program delivery.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to promote events & programs through various channels and ensure maximum participation. Maintain an accurate and appropriate online calendar of events.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation related to event & program activities, including budget, attendance, evaluations, and participant feedback.
• Provide a warm welcome to visitors as they enter the Ryan Resilience Lab, introducing them to the purpose of the facility and the mission of ERP, and actively recruiting them as members and participants in River Star programs.
• Lead interactive tours of the Ryan Resilience Lab, highlighting its environmental features, technologies, and research initiatives.
• Prepare flyers, outreach materials, and Powerpoint presentations for programs and events.

Outreach Coordination:

• Take a lead role in the smooth coordination and execution of off-site outreach requests as well as on-sites visits to the Ryan Lab, including meeting room rentals and tours.
• Work with a standing committee to ensure that requests are met in a timely manner, assessed for relevance to ERP mission, and staffed appropriately and manageably.
• Conduct outreach activities, including networking events, presentations and community outreach programs, to attract and retain members.
• As needed, attend organizational partner meetings as a representative of ERP.
• Serve as a point of contact for existing community-based partnerships as well as new requests to partner, working closely with the Director of Community Engagement to evaluate appropriateness, mission relevance, and next steps.

Sustainability Coordination:

• Serve as point of contact for the Ryan Resilience Lab’s composting, TREX recycling, and seed library programs.
• As needed, support restoration programs where they intersect with community engagement initiatives.

Performs other duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE STANDARD

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the organization through work behaviors demonstrating Elizabeth River Project’s Values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE

• Public Outreach, Communications & Events – Knowledge of how to communicate effectively with the public regarding environmental topics and the mission of the organization.
• Administrative Knowledge – Understands how to coordinate multiple schedules, maintain budgets, monitor expenses, and maintain accurate documentation of programs and events.
• Working knowledge of principles of environmental sustainability and ecological resilience a big plus!

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Relationship-building, networking, love for people – wholeheartedly enjoys building and maintaining relationships with diverse people, converting those relationships to specifics asks and ways to get involved in the mission. Possesses excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and a passion for promoting Elizabeth River Project’s mission.
• Event and program coordination – Excellent organizational and time management skills to plan and execute events effectively, ensuring all logistics, schedules, and resources are well-coordinated. Problem-solving and adaptability to handle unexpected challenges, make quick decisions, and adjust event plans as needed while maintaining a high level of professionalism and attention to detail.
• Administrative skills – Microsoft Suite, Zoom, office organization and computer literacy. Some experience and interest in graphic design helpful, but not required.

REQUIRED ABILITIES

• Composure under pressure – Ability to stay calm, task-oriented, and positive while juggling the diverse needs of public events engaging the public. The ideal candidate may not have necessarily have experience in environmental sector, but the ability to keep cool-headed and cheerful in a fast-paced environment coordinating a high volume of event logistics.
• Coordination of Work – Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and multitasking. Ability to establish and implement effective administrative programs and procedures. Ability to work autonomously to plan and organize daily work routine to meet deadlines. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Requires experience in handling event logistics, coordinating with vendors, managing budgets, and ensuring seamless event operations, with a preference for experience executing a variety of events, ranging from small-scale workshops to high-profile receptions. Requires experience in community education and engagement, with a preference for experience in environmental education and/or science communication.

Knowledge of sustainable infrastructure, native plants, and wildlife a plus.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work.
• Some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light-medium weight (20-40 pounds).
• Tasks may involve extended periods of time at keyboard or workstation.

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

• Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds and visual cues or signals.
• Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES

Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

POSITION PARAMETERS

• This position reports to the Director of Resilience & Community Engagement.
• This is a non-exempt, full time position at 40 hours per week, with the opportunity to work a flexible schedule so long as the job description is effectively carried out. Frequent Saturdays and weeknights; take off Mondays in exchange as practical.
• Pay is $23-28/hour. The higher end of this range will be considered for candidates who bring advanced degrees in a relevant field or 6+ years of relevant experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package.