Climate Resilience Project Manager

Who We Are: 

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is Massachusetts’ premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org. 

Posting Information: 

Salary: $60,000 - $75,000 

Hours per week: 40 

Job Classification: Full-time, Exempt 

Job Type: Hybrid 

Location: Statewide; Florence, MA 

What You’ll Do: 

Your Impact: 

As the Climate Resilience Project Manager, you will support a growing Natural Resources team at The Trustees of Reservations that support biodiversity for a myriad of plant and animal species, provide critical habitat for rare and threatened species, buffer the impacts of climate change, sequester carbon, allow for public enjoyment and recreation, and inspire the next generation to care for our lands. The Climate Resilience Project Manager enters the organization at an exciting time with a renewed focus on habitat restoration, climate resiliency, and nature-based solutions to protect and enhance our natural resources. 

The Role: 

As the Climate Resilience Project Manager, you will support several projects underway and pursue new opportunities, partnerships, and grant funding. Project types include dam removal and riparian restoration, forest resilience, and other innovative work to sequester carbon and protect natural resources. As the Project Manager, you will work with ecologists, property management staff, communications experts, and education and outreach staff. You’ll also work with the development team to scope, fund, implement, and promote climate resiliency and ecological restoration projects. 

Specifically, you’ll: 

• Implement strategic restoration and management projects that address climate change resilience and protect biodiversity on Trustees-owned forests, grasslands, and rivers.  

• Manage all stages of complex habitat and resilience projects to include project scoping, design, permitting, implementation, and effectiveness monitoring.  

• Oversee contracts with modeling and design firms to complete alternatives analyses, engineering design work, permitting, and construction oversight.  

• Manage complex funding structures (multiple grants and/or donor restricted funds) for larger projects to include timelines, deliverable tracking, reporting, match, and budgets.  

• Work with the development team to identify project funding sources and write grants.  

• Build coalitions of partners to foster inter-organizational collaboration, learning, project prioritization, permitting, and funding acquisition.  

• Work with the Director of Inland Ecology to interpret climate vulnerability assessment efforts and identify opportunities for projects.  

• Work with communications and outreach staff to promote project implementation to the public through media engagement, social media and website posts, visitor engagement and public education.   

• Speak to a variety of audiences, educating and informing them about project goals. 

This is a full-time exempt position (40 hours/week) reporting directly to the Director of Inland Ecology.  

What You’ll Need: 

Skills and Experience: 

Required: 

• B.S. or B.A. in ecology, biology, wildlife management, environmental science, or related field (equivalent experience can substitute a formal degree).  

• At least 2 years of habitat restoration or climate adaptation project management experience (advanced degree may substitute for years of experience). 

Preferred: 

• An advanced degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant field.  

• Knowledge of ecological restoration and ecological processes specific to the Northeastern U.S.  

• 4+ years of habitat restoration or climate resilience project management experience.  

• Ability to understand climate and habitat modeling and technical assessment reports that inform project selection and design.  

• Experience managing habitat restoration projects with multiple funding sources and partnerships.  

• Proficiency using ArcGIS. 

• Knowledge of ecology, habitat restoration, and nature-based solutions for climate resilience.  

• Strong understanding of climate change impacts to Massachusetts habitats and communities.  

• Ability to manage all aspects of multi-dimensional and multi-stakeholder projects as described above.  

• Strong organizational skills including the ability to coordinate and execute multiple projects, funding sources, partner involvement, and timelines.  

• Excellent communication skills and ability to build partnerships within agency, municipality, and natural resource partners.  

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.  

• Ability to take initiative and problem-solve.  

• The willingness and ability to work independently at times and facilitate strong communication with team members and project partners.  

• Experience writing grants and/or funding proposals.  

• Sound computer skills in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.  

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment. 

• The ability to work outdoors at times, including hiking moderate slopes.   

• A valid driver's license, as well as a satisfactory driving record as outlined in The Trustees’ driving policy and a satisfactory criminal background check (CORI).   

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check. 

Working Conditions:  

• This position will be based out of one of our offices in western Massachusetts (e.g. Florence or Leominster, MA). Working remotely is allowed for some tasks. The position requires travel throughout the state using a personal vehicle.   

• While the position is based on 40 hours per week, due to the demands of seasonal fieldwork, unpredictable weather, occasional overnight stays near field sites, and the need to attend some evening or weekend meetings, a flexible schedule is required. 

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.  

Questions? Contact our People team at people@thetrustees.org.

Your Benefits: 

• Sick time: 120 hours per year 

• Vacation time: 20 days per year (prorated) 

• Floating holidays/personal days: 15 Floating Holidays (13 observed holidays; 2 floating)  

• Health insurance: You are eligible to participate in the Trustees health insurance benefit via Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). BCBS also offers additional benefits, such as fitness reimbursement and rewards for healthy habits.  

• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance 

• Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave 

• Life Insurance  

• 401k with 5% match after 1 year of employment 

• Employee Assistance Program: Free access to a confidential service that helps employees and their communities with personal and work-related issues, such as mental health support, counseling, and financial advice.  

• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.  

• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.  

• Day of Wonder: Spend one workday per year to exploring a Trustees property 

• Day of Service: Spend one workday per year to helping with a project at a Trustees property  

Equal Opportunity and Diversity: 

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.    

The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity. 

 It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.  

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. To request reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at people@thetrustees.org.