Work With Us!
Wetlands Watch is hiring for two positions:
Flood Risk Project Staff (full time)
Catch the King Coordinator (part-time)
Job Position: Flood Risk Project Staff
Wetlands Watch seeks a full-time Flood Risk Project Staff person to help promote programs and policies that reduce flood risk statewide. We seek a motivated and creative professional to develop, influence, and implement Wetlands Watch projects and programs that assist localities in planning for and reducing flooding. Wetlands Watch chairs the Coastal VA Community Rating System (CRS) Workgroup, a state-wide community of practice that supports comprehensive floodplain management by promoting emergency preparedness, community engagement, and flood risk education. The Flood Risk Project Staff person will help coordinate and lead the CRS Workgroup and manage our other work pertaining to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Additionally, this position will work statewide and cross-sector to promote the VA Community Flood Preparedness Fund, providing assistance and building capacity for under-resourced localities to apply for these critical flood resilience resources. This work is currently focused in the greater Roanoke region. Flood risk management and planning is a critical aspect of our work, as these programs drive local land use decisions and provide the greatest opportunity to preserve our natural floodplains.
About the Position
The Flood Risk Project Staff person will work closely with the Executive Director, Policy Program Director, and Assistant Director of Living Infrastructure, in partnership with all staff contributing to policy, planning, and outreach initiatives. In addition, the individual may develop their own projects to advance our mission. Wetlands Watch allows remote working and flexible schedules, but the Staff person must be able to attend six in person CRS Workgroup meetings in Newport News on the last Wednesday of those months and be available to travel to the greater Roanoke region for multiple days at a time. The staff person will travel occasionally in other portions of the state and within the U.S., as required for professional development and program delivery.
As part of our organization, you will:
Promote and assist localities’ participation in the Community Rating System (CRS) program by leading the CRS Workgroup and executing technical assistance, outreach, and education efforts (in person, in Newport News, as described above)
Conduct outreach statewide on the VA Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF), particularly to overburdened localities located in western VA (in person, focused in greater Roanoke region, as described above)
Provide technical assistance to localities seeking grant resources from the CFPF and other relevant flood mitigation and resilience programs (in person and through remote meetings)
Collaborate with partner organizations to create comprehensive flood adaptation policy in the face of sea level rise and other climate change impacts (in person and through remote meetings)
About Wetlands Watch
Wetlands Watch is a statewide environmental non-profit entering its 25th year enhancing natural resilience, bolstering community adaptation efforts, and protecting and restoring wetlands throughout VA. We advance climate adaptation by working collaboratively with a wide variety of stakeholders, and by implementing solution-focused strategies that unify and connect. We have six full-time staff, four part-time staff, and an office in Norfolk. We are one of the only conservation groups in the country working at the local government/grassroots level to implement climate change adaptation measures at community scale.
We are an innovative boundary organization that brings academic strategies, scientific findings, and policies for addressing the impacts of climate change to the decision makers at the front lines of the impacts - local government staff and community members. Through our work, we foster collaboration, embrace adaptive change, take calculated risks, prioritize solutions, and are biased toward action. These core values reflect and guide how we work with each other and those we serve.
Qualifications
Applicants must have project experience in the nonprofit, educational, governmental, or related sector. Applicants must demonstrate a working knowledge of the National Flood Insurance Program and should have a college degree, or higher, in a field related to adaptation (environmental disciplines, policy, law, planning, engineering, landscape architecture, communication, etc.). A Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) applicant would elevate an application. Additional areas of expertise such as VA environmental policy, local government planning and zoning, coalition building, shoreline management, green infrastructure, or grant writing would also elevate an application. Proficiency with basic technology is required, while some experience in graphic design, data visualization, and website development would be helpful.
The job requires the ability to operate independently in a professional atmosphere that encourages creativity. The position requires the ability to plan and execute a project. The Flood Risk Project Staff person will be required to travel for multiple days at a time and have access to reliable transportation.
Our ideal candidate is:
Enthusiastic, outgoing, self-motivated, and able to work independently
Knowledgeable about natural and nature based climate change adaptation practices
An analytical thinker, detail oriented, and organized
Attentive to detail, has good time management skills, and able to work and thrive in an entrepreneurial environment
Strong writing and communication skills
Experience in coalition building, managing and facilitating group dynamics, and planning and running online and in person meetings and workshops
This is a rare opportunity to develop expertise in the emerging policy/natural resource field of climate change adaptation, with freedom to innovate and excel in a supportive, collaborative organization. We work at the cutting edge of this field and want someone who can help us stay there!
Compensation
Position has compensation in the range of $45,000-$55,000/year, with health insurance, retirement support, paid vacation, and a flexible work schedule.
Mileage, travel, supplies, and normal office expenses in performance with job responsibilities will be reimbursed by Wetlands Watch with appropriate documentation. Mileage reimbursement will be at current GSA rates. Cell phone costs will be partially compensated.
Computer and IT needs (software, etc.) will be provided as needed and justified.
Professional development is required and supported financially each year.
How to Apply
This posting was released on January 15, 2025. While the application period is rolling, applicants are encouraged to apply by February 28, 2025. Please direct questions and applications to: Mary-Carson Stiff, Executive Director, mc.stiff@wetlandswatch.org, 757-376-1364.
Applications must include a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references.
We are an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, marital status, disability, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected class. We are committed to building justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our organization and our community.
Job Position: Catch the King Coordinator
(part-time)
Wetlands Watch is seeking a part-time Catch the King Coordinator to help promote and organize activities for our annual Catch the King (CTK) community science program that trains volunteers to collect flooding data during coastal Virginia’s highest seasonal tides, the king tides. We seek a creative, motivated, and organized individual who is interested in building relationships with the public on the topic of sea level rise and growing the impact and reach of our Guinness World Record-breaking program.
Since its launch in 2017, Catch the King has engaged over 1,000 volunteers who have contributed over 250,000 GPS flood data points. This vast crowdsourced effort is refining our local understanding of how flooding impacts coastal Virginia and is contributing to sea level rise modeling and flood prediction at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. At this stage of CTK’s maturity, Wetlands Watch is prioritizing expanding the program to more rural and remote communities facing increasing flood risk, such as Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
About the Position
This part-time Catch the King Coordinator will work closely with the CTK Director to organize and lead a variety of tasks associated with planning Catch the King. The hire must be able and willing to travel across coastal Virginia, as far west as Accomack County and as far north as Alexandria, to facilitate data collection training events and engage with volunteer groups leading up to the main event in October 2025. Other tasks associated with the position, such as social media outreach and advertisement, will allow for more flexible and remote work.
About Wetlands Watch
Wetlands Watch is a statewide environmental non-profit in its 25th year enhancing natural resilience, bolstering community adaptation efforts, and protecting and restoring wetlands throughout VA. We advance climate adaptation by working collaboratively with a wide variety of stakeholders, and by implementing solution-focused strategies that unify and connect. We have six full-time staff, four part-time staff, and an office in Norfolk. We are one of the only conservation groups in the country working at the local government and grassroots level to implement climate change adaptation measures at community scale. For more information about our organizational mission and values, please visit wetlandswatch.org/mission-history.
Primary responsibilities of the CTK Coordinator include:
Conduct coastal Virginia-wide outreach to new and returning volunteer groups to share information and recruit participation in Catch the King
Lead and assist virtual and in-person training events for both youth and adult audiences on how to collect data for CTK with the Sea Level Rise app
Create and share engaging social media and advertisement content to promote training events and participation in Catch the King
Lead outreach and organization of the annual CTK Waves of Tomorrow Arts Contest, including managing submissions, juror panels and scoring, and celebration of written and visual artwork from high school and college students
Serve as the lead point of contact for volunteers, Tide Captains, and our diverse network of partners to organize events, share updates on programming, and engage new audiences
Provide mapping support, technical assistance, and social media presence before, during, and after Catch the King
Explore opportunities to support local government, university, and state agency flood resilience efforts with Catch the King data
Qualifications
Applicants must have experience coordinating with and speaking to groups of people of varied ages, and must be comfortable with providing instruction to variable audiences on using a mobile app as a tool for data collection, as well as other web applications for data. Applicants should demonstrate proficiency in using and troubleshooting technology, and must be able to navigate social media platforms. Applicants must possess a valid U.S. driver's license and have access to a personal vehicle for traveling to and from training events.
Our ideal candidate possess the following skills and attributes:
Community and/or volunteer organizing experience (2+ years)
Outreach experience (2+ years or combined experience with volunteer organizing)
Outgoing, self-motivated, and able to work both independently and collaboratively
Experience creating professional-quality outreach campaigns and/or social media content
Passion and interest in community-driven climate solutions
Familiarity with sea level rise and its impacts on built and natural environments
Must be willing to travel frequently, and during evenings and weekends, to various locations to provide training
Compensation
The position is part-time at a range of $23-25/hr depending on experience.
Mileage for training event travel will be compensated at the current GSA rate of $0.70 per mile.
How to Apply
This posting was released on February 14, 2025 with an application deadline of March 14, 2025. Please direct questions and applications to: Gabi Kinney, Catch the King Director, gabi.kinney@wetlandswatch.org, (802) 505-0819.
Applications must include a cover letter, resume, graphic design sample
(e.g. Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.), and three references.
Wetlands Watch is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, marital status, disability, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected class. We are committed to building justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our organization and our community.