The Charles River Conservancy (CRC) seeks a team-oriented individual to manage and expand the organization’s innovative floating wetland project as well as lead collaborative efforts to enhance the parks of the Lower Charles basin. This role is ideal for a mid-level design professional looking to have a direct and meaningful impact on the advancement of nature-based resilience solutions in the Greater Boston region. The CRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and people from a range of backgrounds and experiences to apply.

Organization Overview

Founded in 2000, the Charles River Conservancy (CRC) works to amplify community voice and catalyze bold solutions, to make the Lower Charles River and its parks more vibrant, healthy and welcoming.  In partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and other stakeholders, we promote the active use and vitality of the Charles River parks, increase recreational and educational opportunities, and implement interventions to support ecological health, biodiversity and resiliency. Our work within the urban Charles River Reservation spans parks in Boston, Cambridge, Allston/Brighton, and Watertown, which are within walking distance of 300,000+ urban residents and welcome over 1 million annual visitors. 

About the Charles River Floating Wetland Project

In 2020, the CRC led the installation of the first human-made floating wetland on the Charles River in Cambridge. This pilot project has advanced the efficacy of artificial wetlands to improve water quality and increase biodiversity. The project has also engaged community members through education and public programming, creating more opportunities to understand the local ecology and physically access the river, particularly in the highly urbanized lower basin fortressed by seawalls. The project has received local, regional and national attention as a precedent for making urban waterfronts more adaptable to climate challenges. (See Lessons Learned from the Charles River’s First Floating Wetland for more information).

With interest and support from several municipalities and state agencies, the CRC is now focused on expanding the floating wetland initiative with the goals of:

• Establishing new strategic, public-private partnerships
• Installing an additional 20,000-30,000 square feet of floating wetland in the Lower Charles basin
• Advancing nature-based solution policy and practices in Greater Boston and beyond

Key Responsibilities

The Park Resilience Project Manager will be responsible for shepherding the floating wetland expansion project past key milestones and leading other CRC park enhancement activities. Responsibilities include:

• Floating Wetland Project Management

• Manage all aspects of the floating wetland initiative, including budgets, schedules, design/consultant contracts and permitting
• Coordinate with similar initiatives in other US cities to compare research and establish best practices for floating wetland installations
• Advance the integration of floating wetlands into key regulations and policies
• Support project promotion and fundraising by developing presentations and visuals, contributing to grant applications, and participating in meetings with potential funders

• Engagement
  • Lead community engagement efforts such as public meetings, surveys, and coalition building
  • Cultivate relationships with key stakeholders, especially municipal and agency partners
  • Work closely with Community Partnerships Program Manager to incorporate community feedback into expansion designs
  • Work closely with the CRC’s Communications and Outreach Manager to disseminate project information through print and digital channels, including social media
  • Represent the CRC at meetings, networking events and conferences as needed

• Park Enhancement

• Work with CRC staff and partners to identify opportunities to enhance park ecological health and experience for park visitors
• Build and maintain relationships with Department of Conservation and Recreation and other governmental agencies, with an objective of collaborative park maintenance
• Oversee identified park enhancement projects
• Strengthen multi-jurisdictional planning efforts with design expertise and feedback, in alignment with CRC objectives

Preferred Experience and Skills

Our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or have a less traditional background. We are looking for applicants with the following:

• A demonstrated interest in the mission of the Charles River Conservancy
• Three to seven years of relevant project management experience
• Proven ability to build relationships, connecting and engaging with constituents
• Ability to manage diverse, simultaneous tasks, meet deadlines, and attend to follow-through
• Familiarity with and interest in learning more about federal, state and local environmental policy and permitting
• Experience working with complex networks of partners
• Ability to interpret plans, technical specifications, policies and regulations
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and an interest in using best practices to increase representation of diversity in park users
• Multilingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience preferred
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, as required
• Openness to learning and eagerness to give and receive feedback 

Salary & Benefits

Salary for this full-time position is $65,000 - $75,000, depending on experience. The CRC’s benefits include: 

• 10 days each: vacation, flexible time off, and holidays
• Hybrid work schedule
• Health insurance (50% - 75% CRC paid) and reimbursements for dental cleanings
• CRC contribution to a cafeteria plan to be used on pre-tax basis for employee health insurance contributions, 403b contributions, transit, parking, dependent care or FSA spending
• 403b retirement plan with CRC contribution after 3 years of employment

Learn More

Impact Director Scott McCue will be offering information sessions on Thursday, November 13th from 3:30-4:30 PM and on Tuesday, November 18th from 6:00-7:00 PM.   Click on either date to register.