Position Type: Full-time

Location: Work-from-home, with regular work on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and occasional travel to Annapolis, MD

Compensation: $55,000 - $65,000 with benefits, commensurate with experience

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis; position open until filled

Targeted Start Date: December 2025

The Envision the Choptank partnership is seeking a full-time Community Engagement Coordinator interested in fostering connections between environmental organizations and local communities within the Choptank River watershed. Housed at JBO Conservation, this position would bring added capacity to Envision’s Engaging Communities workgroup, helping to advance collaborative projects that strengthen resilience and improve water quality and quality of life for local communities. The position offers the opportunity to work directly with a wide range of partners and across a variety of disciplines, including community engagement, natural resource conservation and restoration, community health and resilience, and more. 

About Envision the Choptank

Established in 2015, the Envision the Choptank partnership brings together nonprofits, federal and state agencies, local governments, community groups, and local residents to develop collaborative solutions that meet the mission of providing swimmable, fishable waters and enhancing the health and productivity of native oysters in a way that best meets the needs of surrounding communities. The partnership is guided by the Choptank Common Agenda, a strategic plan developed through an extensive stakeholder engagement process. Workgroups, developed to carry out the strategies described in the Agenda, are focused on topics such as overcoming private landowner barriers to implementing agricultural best management practices; increasing local government capacity to address stormwater runoff and flooding; building resilience through large-scale restoration; and working with local communities to implement actions that meet community needs and environmental objectives.

About JBO Conservation​

JBO Conservation has served as the coordinator of the Envision the Choptank partnership since its inception in 2015, providing overall facilitation and coordination across all levels of the partnership and taking a lead role in the partnership’s community-based work.

Job Description

The Community Engagement Coordinator will be housed with and managed on a day-to-day basis by JBO Conservation, while working closely with and in support of Envision’s Engaging Communities workgroup. The Community Engagement Coordinator will work with partners to advance workgroup projects, including but not limited to leading community outreach and engagement efforts across the Choptank watershed; implementing Community-based Restoration Projects across multiple communities; planning and facilitating the LEAD the Shore Program, a shared learning and leadership development program designed to equip community members with the tools they need for effective civic engagement to address natural resource and community-resilience-related issues; and providing support to Community Ambassadors, residents taking on leadership roles to advance projects in their own communities. There is also potential for the position to assist with other, shorter-term projects and contribute to the development of new projects and grant proposals, as applicable.

Responsibilities of the Position:​

• Outreach & Relationships Building
  • Lead community outreach and engagement efforts on behalf of the partnership, regularly meeting with community members, partners, and other stakeholders to understand needs and build positive working relationships
• Project Development & Implementation
  • Partner with community-based organizations and local residents to assess natural resources concerns and engage community members in the design and implementation of innovative projects that improve water quality, strengthen community resilience, address community-identified goals, and align with the partnership’s mission
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for residents engaged in Community-based Restoration Projects and facilitate information sharing between residents and the project team throughout all phases of the project
• Program Coordination and Facilitation
  • Serve as the lead facilitator for the LEAD the Shore program, working with partners and community members to develop and implement the curriculum, identify and invite guest speakers, recruit participants, and coordinate logistics
  • Grow the LEAD 2.0 program to provide continued educational and engagement opportunities to graduates of LEAD the Shore
• Volunteer Engagement
  • Manage and distribute Envision’s Community Ambassador Fund, providing compensation to community members taking on leadership roles to advance projects in their communities
  • Work to cultivate and support 8-10 Community Ambassadors across 3 or more communities
• Workgroup Support, Communications, & Reporting
  • Work with the Coordination Team to support the Engaging Communities Workgroup and advance community engagement-focused elements of the Common Agenda and annual workplan
  • Work with the Coordination Team to identify and pursue funding opportunities, evaluate projects and programs, and develop communications products
  • Participate in and present at relevant events, conferences, and meetings

Minimum Qualifications: 

JBO Conservation is seeking an individual who is excited about collaboration as a means for advancing sustainable futures for people and the environment. We seek applicants that enjoy being part of a small, nimble, and creative staff team and that find energy in the emergent aspects of partnerships. We seek applicants that are comfortable in dynamic environments; that can bring curiosity and compassion to their work; and can navigate with humility and good humor. Specifically, a successful applicant for the position will posses:

• Experience in community development and working directly with communities and community members, particularly in rural areas
• Strong cultural competency and the ability to communicate and work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences
• Local knowledge of Eastern Shore communities and impacts of environmental issues such as water quality, stormwater flooding, agriculture, and resilience
• Strong active listening skills, particularly when working with community members
• Ability to think creatively and develop innovative solutions to meet community needs
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills, including time management, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace
• Exhibit perseverance and a positive attitude
• A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation

Desired Qualifications (one or more of the following): ​

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, natural sciences, social sciences, communications, or other relevant field (professional experience may substitute for education)
• 3+ year relevant professional experience (an advanced degree may substitute for experience)
• Experience developing and implementing community outreach or environmental education programs, particularly for audiences not traditionally engaged in conservation efforts
• Experience in engaging or partnering with local, rural communities within the Choptank watershed
• Resident of the Choptank River watershed (Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, Queen Anne’s counties in Maryland or Kent County, Delaware), preferred
• Experience working with a broad range of stakeholders or partners
• Candidates bilingual in English and Spanish are strongly encouraged to apply

Hours/Location: This position is currently offered as a full-time (40 hours/week), primarily work-from-home position. The position must be available to attend in-person meetings on the Eastern Shore of Maryland at least once a week and occasional meetings in Annapolis. This position requires flexibility, with some evening/weekend work and the ability to travel to local communities, as needed. The hired individual will be expected to maintain high-functioning internet sufficient for video conferencing. 

Compensation: Salary and benefits are commensurate with the candidate's relevant professional experience and/or education, with an expected salary range of $55,000 - $65,000. The position will also receive 20 vacation days, 8 sick days, and 11 paid holidays. This is a 1-year, grant-funded position with the possibility of extension, contingent upon funding availability. It is the intent of JBO Conservation and Envision the Choptank for this to be a long-term position.