OVERVIEW
The Emerald Necklace Conservancy is a non-profit stewardship organization founded in 1998. The mission of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy is to restore and improve the Emerald Necklace for all. The Conservancy connects people and parks and conserves the Emerald Necklace through projects and programs that enrich the visitor experience and restore and renew the landscape, waterways, and parkways. To steward the Emerald Necklace's 1,100 acres of parkland extending from Boston's Back Bay through Brookline and Jamaica Plain to Franklin Park in Dorchester, the Conservancy collaborates with its partners on advocacy, maintenance and restoration, education and access and promoting park stewardship through volunteer and youth programs. Discover more about our work and programs at www.emeraldnecklace.org.
The Emerald Necklace Conservancy (Conservancy) seeks an experienced, thoughtful and self-motivated Director of Community Engagement and Park Equity. This is a mission-critical role, acting as the lead strategist and for community organizing and engagement on the senior management team. They will help implement the Conservancy's FY24-FY28 strategic plan initiatives related to community engagement. They will also build the Conservancy's capacity to invite more inclusive and impactful park experiences through partnerships with history-keepers, change-agents and thought-leaders in public-making through art, design and culture. They will manage programmatic planning for community engagement, cultural partnerships, Committee of Neighborhoods, and more.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Community Engagement & Partnerships
- Develop, track and manage relationships with a broad base of park constituents surrounding the Emerald Necklace parks including individuals, organizations, neighborhood groups, associations, senior centers, youth centers, and more.
- Work with each department at the Conservancy to deepen community engagement across the organization through the development of community input/feedback sessions (as outlined in the strategic plan), internal process improvements, marketing and communication initiatives, and cross-department collaboration.
Cultural Partnerships
- Lead, facilitate and manage the Committee of Neighborhood's annual work plan and programmatic priorities.
- Document three case studies from projects in FY23 for the Committee of Neighborhoods to consider and review in FY24.
- Recruit and develop relationships with new and existing Committee of Neighborhoods members.
- Work with the Committee of Neighborhoods to determine FY25 priorities for the Committee.
- Develop, track and manage relationships with select partner organizations to encourage and help facilitate diverse and inclusive park activations and experiences for all.
- Work with Fest-series partners to deliver on equity goals and event execution with support from the Conservancy's Public Events and Partnerships Coordinator.
General Responsibilities
- Develop reports and presentations about the Conservancy's community engagement, cultural partnerships and parks equity work for the Conservancy's Board of Directors, park advisors, funders and the general public.
- Develop annual budgets for community engagement programs with the Director of Conservancy Operations.
- Conduct funder stewardship in partnership with the Conservancy's Director of Development.
- Work closely with the communications and marketing department to share relevant updates about cultural partnerships on the Conservancy website, social media, e-newsletters, press releases, annual report, donor presentation decks, etc.
- Implement FY24-FY28 strategic plan initiatives associated with the Committee of Neighborhoods, community and partner engagement, cultural partnerships and parks equity, organizational equity goals (including developing an equity statement), etc.
- In partnership with the marketing and communications team, help craft thoughtful and inclusive messaging for the Conservancy's external and internal facing messaging regarding justice, equity, inclusion and diversity issues, observances, celebrations, etc.
- Manage and facilitate the Conservancy's internal working group: Safe Green Spaces Group (SGSG) by setting up meetings and agendas, taking minutes, and delegating tasks and projects to group members. Safe Green Spaces Group is a staff-led working group focused on reflection and action to improve justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) in the Emerald Necklace Parks, the Conservancy's work, and staff's work as environmental stewards.
- Research and set up staff trainings on JEDI topics in alignment with the Conservancy's work, goals and budget.
- Research and share resources with Conservancy staff members about various JEDI topics.
- Work with SGSG, Conservancy staff leadership, and the Board of Directors to set JEDI goals for the Conservancy, and work with the entire staff to reach JEDI goals.
Requirements
- This is a full-time, exempt position with a hybrid schedule of at least 2 days in the office per week (Tuesdays and one flexible day).
- This role will require some nights and weekends to attend events, community meetings, public meetings, etc.
Qualifications
- 7+ years of work relevant work experience
- ability to point to specific examples of having developed and operationalized community based strategies
- Experience in community organizing
- Unwavering commitment public parks and open spaces and equity-based strategies
- Excellence in organizational management with the ability to build relationships and develop high-performing teams and set and achieve strategic objectives
- Past success working with communities, with the ability to cultivate existing relationships and establish new relationships
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills
- Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, community-centered and innovative approach to organizing and community engagement
- Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people
- Passion, idealism, integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed
The Emerald Necklace Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and no person shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, Veteran status, physical/mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.