Middle Chesapeake Sentinel Landscape Resilience Specialist
Introduction
The Middle Chesapeake Sentinel Landscape partnership (MCSL) is one of 18 Sentinel Landscape partnerships operating across the country. Developed jointly by the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Agriculture, and Department of the Interior, the Sentinel Landscapes program’s mission is to strengthen military readiness, conserve natural resources, bolster agricultural and forestry economies, increase public access to outdoor recreation, and enhance landscape resilience. JBO Conservation serves as the coordinator of the partnership, helping to bring together federal and state agencies, land trusts, and local governments to advance joint goals across portions of Southern Maryland, the Delmarva Peninsula, and the Northern Neck of Virginia. In the near-term, the partnership is working to increase land conservation and resiliency-focused restoration projects and explore opportunities to protect cultural resources and increase public access to conserved lands. This position is funded for a three-year period, with the possibility of extension based on available funding.
Position Description
The MCSL Resilience Specialist will report to LegacyWorks Group (LWG or LegacyWorks) and the MCSL Coordination Team to identify adaptation and resilience needs. The position will be housed with LegacyWorks Group and managed on a day-to-day basis by the MCSL Coordination Team. Working in close coordination with and in support of the MCSL Partnership, Steering Committee, Resilience Workgroup, and MCSL Coordination Team, the Resilience Specialist will lead a broad group of public and private partners to build the framework to advance resilience across the Middle Chesapeake landscape, develop resilience projects and initiatives, and pursue complementary funding streams to support these efforts. Resilience projects are those that mitigate coastal and inland risks and increase resilience of military installations, communities, and the broader landscape. The Resilience Specialist will work at the project and regional scale, providing assistance in assessing threats, evaluating potential solutions, and coordinating partner groups to advance resilience efforts.
Summary of Responsibilities
Advance resilience objectives and strategies outlined in the MCSL Implementation Plan, including seeing through the completion of a Resilience Focal Areas analysis and Needs and Opportunities Assessments. This may include carrying out portions of the analysis to identify key areas to focus resilience efforts within, and completing assessments by reviewing existing plans and studies and meeting with partners to identify resilience needs and opportunities
Create and prioritize a list of resilience projects using the Focal Areas analysis and Needs and Opportunities Assessments, taking into account individual projects as well as opportunities to develop networks or corridors of resilience projects
Support partners in assessing threats and evaluating potential solutions at the project level and regional-scale (e.g. across counties, throughout subwatersheds), bringing a whole systems approach to the work of building resilience across the landscape
Bring together and coordinate partner groups to carry out resilience projects and initiatives.
Identify, recommend, and pursue funding to support the resilience projects and initiatives identified
Work with the Coordination Team to support the Resilience Workgroup and update the resilience-focused elements of the MCSL Implementation plan, as needed
Assist the Coordination Team in developing communications to share lessons learned and updates regarding resilience across the Middle Chesapeake
At the discretion of the coordinator, participate in relevant events, conferences, and meetings
Assist the coordinator in developing reporting metrics and standards for landscape resilience
Assist with the preparation of quarterly and annual reports as required to report progress on resilience and adaptation projects activities
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of the activities, duties, or responsibilities required. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.
Desired Qualifications
Advanced degrees or equivalent experiences in natural resource conservation, resilience and adaptation, or comparable field
Proven experience in coordinating diverse interests to achieve large-scale goals
Proven experience in building and managing partner groups
Proven experience with successful project management and stewardship
Experience with fundraising and the development of grant proposals
Experience managing and reporting on federal, state, and/or private grants
Working knowledge of the military services and/or US Department of Defense
Knowledge and experience with the Middle Chesapeake natural resource issues, partners, and funding sources
Strong working knowledge of GIS
Emotionally intelligent, with excellent interpersonal skills
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Strong organization and time management skills
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment committed to continuous learning
Deep alignment with LPW’s impact model and values
Valid driver’s license, reliable form of transportation, and clean driving record
Hours & Pay
This position is full-time exempt with an average work schedule of 40 hours per week.
Salary range is $65,000 - 72,000 based on relevant qualifications and experience.
Location
This position is hybrid remote, with the expectation of in-person meetings with MCSL Coordination Team in Annapolis, Maryland at least twice a month. The position must also be available to meet with partners and conduct site visits, as needed. These meetings may occur on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Delaware, Southern Maryland, and the Northern Neck of Virginia.
Benefits
LegacyWorks Group offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, a Health Savings Account, vision and dental coverage, a 401(k) retirement plan, home office equipment stipend, and unlimited vacation time alongside wellness/sick leave.
Equal Opportunity Employer
LegacyWorks is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome candidates of all backgrounds and value life experience and achievements. All employees and applicants for employment are not to be discriminated on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors.
To Apply
Email a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to Keilana Sugano, keilana@legacyworksgroup.com, at LegacyWorks Group with MCSL Resilience Specialist in the subject line. Applications are only accepted electronically. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled (interviews anticipated for early September). If you meet more than 75% of the Desired Qualifications of this description, we encourage you to apply.
About LegacyWorks Group
LegacyWorks Group is proud to serve as the Support Organization for the Sentinel Landscapes Partnership, and in this role manage funding from federal agency partners and serve as the place of employment for Sentinel Landscape employees including Resilience Specialists.
Our team is open-hearted, entrepreneurial and highly collaborative. Team members have a variety of leadership, facilitation and project management experience as well as a diversity of cultural and educational backgrounds. We seek curious candidates with big hearts and sharp minds who learn fast. Our team members are comfortable with complex challenges that require collaboration, innovation, diplomacy, relationship building, leadership and high levels of partner and community engagement. We approach new ideas and challenges with optimism and show up open, curious and committed to learning. Our work requires a commitment to exploring the edges of what is possible and thus requires continuous personal and professional growth.
We seek out high impact opportunities that often will not move forward unless we can play one or more catalytic roles including facilitation, project management, process design, strategy development, planning, leadership development, community engagement, securing and structuring funding or financing, designing and launching funds, data dashboard development and more.