Jobs

Field Partnership Coordinator

Posted: 2/1/2023

Organizational Background:

Riverfront North Partnership (RNP) seeks a Field Partnership Coordinator to facilitate a job skill partnership with PowerCorps PHL and the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership in the watershed parks of the northern Delaware River and Frankford Creek. The Field Partnership Coordinator will report to the Stewardship Manager.

RNP is a nonprofit organization that works with the City of Philadelphia to build, steward, and activate the North Delaware River Greenway, a series eight parks and 11 miles of trail in Northeast Philadelphia, with the belief that every Philadelphian should have access to their rivers. We are gaining momentum as a neighborhood asset and regional destination, with the understanding that, as the greenway nears completion, our future depends on an engaged community and the highest standards of stewardship

RNP is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.

Position Overview:

The Field Partnership Coordinator is a new position that will manage a two-year pilot partnership between PowerCorps PHL and TTF Watershed in support of “green” job skill training and greenway stewardship. This position expands stewardship operations on the parks and trails on the Greenway, which have grown significantly in the last four years through major restoration projects and diverse partnerships. This opening is a great opportunity for a bright and enthusiastic individual as we anchor that growth into a long-term role at Riverfront North Partnership.

The position supports the conservation of the Delaware River watershed, improving water quality and habitat on riparian areas over 17.8 miles of parks and trails. It improves public access and recreational opportunities, as well as education for youth exploring jobs in the environmental field. Ultimately, this partnership could provide a model for collaborative maintenance of urban watershed parks.

The Field Partnership Coordinator is responsible for daily coordination with stewardship leadership at Riverfront North Partnership, TTF Watershed, and PowerCorps PHL Crew Leaders. The successful applicant will have a commitment to proactive communication, a culture of collaboration, the highest standards of environmental stewardship, and equitable opportunities for meaningful growth and work.

The position requires a willingness to work to create and maintain a program culture of creating opportunity and overcoming challenges. It requires understanding of landscape management in complex, industrial settings. Areas of management include general maintenance and park landscaping, meadow, wetland, living shoreline, and woodlands.

The Field Partnership Coordinator works with the Riverfront North Partnership Stewardship Manager in support of landscape management goals on the Riverfront North Greenway. They will be the primary point of contact with TTF Watershed and PowerCorps PHL to advance their stewardship and programmatic goals.

3460 N Delaware Ave, Suite 306

Philadelphia, PA 19134

RiverfrontNorth.org 215-425-8350

Key Responsibilities:

The Field Partnership Coordinator will be primarily responsible for:

  • Coordination and field support of 45 PowerCorps PHL work crew days annually, divided between Riverfront North Partnership and TTF Watershed.
  • Identifying and developing daily work scopes of each of those 45 days with guidance from the RNP Stewardship Manager and partner leadership.
  • Planning and leading regular partner meetings and being primary point of contact for collaborative partner communications.
  • Reporting problems, schedule and scope changes, and other issues to partner leadership.
  • Maintaining on-site project management and site safety compliance.
  • Creating a supportive environment for partners and trainees.
  • Assisting in administrative data collection and other duties for grant reports and benchmarking.

The Field Partnership Coordinator will also support stewardship operations at Riverfront North Partnership when not actively engaged in the partnership responsibilities. This includes:

  • Greenway management through invasive species control, erosion control, landscape installation, streambank restoration, and general greenway maintenance.
  • Support weekend trail and park volunteer clean-ups held biweekly from April to November.
  • Positive and collaborative operational relationships with City of Philadelphia employees.
  • Support “all-hands-on-deck” annual events, such as the Fish Fest, Spring Fling fundraiser, etc.
  • Support organizational assessment and planning through staff retreats and professional development.

Background and Skills:

Successful candidates will demonstrate the following in their application:

  • Working with people: the candidate must have strong speaking and listening skills, the ability to plan and facilitate meetings, and demonstrate proactive and positive communication.
  • Cultural competency to work with individuals with diverse backgrounds and interests, including disconnected youth who have experienced challenges.
  • Project management: Ability to create and communicate daily work plans with guidance from the RNP Stewardship Manager and partner leadership.
  • Knowledge of sustainability, landscaping, horticulture, or stormwater management principles.
  • Professional qualities: the candidate will have the ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and the flexibility take action to resolve unexpected situations in the field.
  • Skills: the candidate will be proficient with technology.

Physical Requirements:

RNP provides a truck for field work. However, due to the scale of the greenway and the lack of public transportation near it, a candidate with a car is strongly preferred. Candidates must have and maintain a valid driver’s license in good standing. The position divides its time between administrative and field work, and outdoor work is labor-intensive and may happen under adverse weather conditions. They must be willing to use personal equipment such as a cell phone if working remotely.

Salary and Schedule:

  • $42,000 annually. Exempt with health benefits.
  • 10 paid vacation days and 10-12 office holidays (depending on which day of the week the winter holidays fall).
  • Position is 40 hours week on a flexible schedule. Position requires adjustment to a Tuesday through Saturday from April through November. A core part of this role is managing weekend and after-work volunteer events.

To Apply:

Send resume and cover letter to nathan@riverfrontnorth.org. Include the position title in your email subject.

SERVE Philadelphia – VISTA for Parks and Recreation

Posted 2/1/23

Volunteer Support VISTA -Philadelphia Parks & Recreation

**NOTE: This position is hired by and managed by Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, not Riverfront North Partnership, but the position will be working to support the Riverfront North team as part of our partnership with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation. Details on how to apply through Philadelphia Parks and Recreation are at the bottom of the job description.

Want to explore a career in city government? Receive monthly professional development? Have the support of a cohort while working to fight the causes of poverty? Do all three with the Serve Philadelphia VISTA Corps – an AmeriCorps  program.

Be a Changemaker!

Serve Philadelphia VISTA members serve full-time within City Departments on projects that have a lasting impact for Philadelphians. 

Serving as a VISTA is both a great way to support Philadelphia’s communities and to develop your career. 

If you, or anyone you know, is interested in joining the Serve Philadelphia VISTA Corps, learn more about the program, open positions, and apply online here.

Want to find out more? Sign up to join us at an upcoming open house.

Economic Opportunity: Employment/Workforce Development

Project Goal:

The VISTA will support a mission to transform miles of riverfront brownfields into trails and parks, free outdoor programs; “green” job skill training, and land restoration projects. The VISTA will support a volunteer and job skill trainee base by researching best volunteer management practices, program design, direct engagement, and direct support of community activities. Intended, sustainable outcomes include:

  • A growing base of community volunteers
  • Residents of nearby neighborhoods use their riverfront parks as a resource of livable, vibrant communities
  • PowerCorps PHL job skill trainees receive hands-on experience in urban forestry
  • Sustained management of an award-winning public land restoration project that has planted 1,500 native trees and managed 10 acres of coastal plain forest with community partners

What You’ll Do:

  • Strengthen relationships with volunteers and job skill trainees by supporting workdays and outreach
  • Develop the new Volunteer Station as an asset for volunteers through communication and activation
  • Identify leaders and community assets in neighborhoods, including Holmesburg, Torresdale, and Wissinoming
  • Research best practices in volunteer cultivation and management
  • Develop a plan of community outreach, volunteer activities, and communications for volunteers

What You’ll Learn:

  • Gain expertise in identifying and cultivating community assets
  • Environmental stewardship practices
  • Program development
  • Equitable engagement strategies & tools
  • Public speaking & facilitation

What You’ll Bring:

  • Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Personal & professional accountability
  • Strong written & verbal communication
  • Open to feedback

HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION:

Apply now: https://bit.ly/ServeVISTA2023

Questions? Call us: (215) 686-0823 or email us: ServeVISTA@phila.gov

✕