Grounded Strategies Project Manager

Land Stewardship Innovation

Overview

Grounded Strategies is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit organization working with communities to restore vacant and neglected land. 

We are seeking a Project Manager to support neighborhood-scale program initiatives and projects related to our grassroots land stewardship network and our land remediation/green technology initiatives, including:

• Community-scale land restoration pilot planning and execution;
• Technical assistance to community-serving orgs and residents including
  • Lots to Love Resources (Ex. Toolbox, ReFresh, Land Dr.)
  • Sustainable Urban Landscapes (Ex. Lots of Wildflowers)
  • Volunteer Management;
• Strategic partner engagement; and
• Report writing, advocacy, and public education activities.

The Land Stewardship Innovation Project Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of particular projects while understanding how they fit into overall organization objectives. Examples of projects include; parcel scale wildflower meadow establishment, green stormwater infrastructure community education, and hot-spot soil remediation. 

This position reports to the Executive Director.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and manage assigned programs and projects through the stages of conceptualization, planning, budgeting, execution, and reporting, which may require you to:
  • Coordinate the PGH Mobile Toolbox reservation system and hauler schedule,
  • Process submissions to the Refresh Fund and Land Doctor resources and maintain tracking document,
  • Participate in occasional outreach activities, including but not limited to: flyering, door-knocking, and small group facilitation 
  • Oversee, coordinate, and lead on-site engagements with volunteer and partner groups (community clean-ups, garden plantings, etc.)
  • Maintaining an up-to-date personal calendar and using scheduling tools to reserve resources for project activities
  • Support in volunteer recruitment and engagement activities
• Monitor program budgets and oversee grant and contract compliances.
• Prepare slides for assigned programs/projects to present to the organization on a quarterly basis.
• Participate in development activities as assigned including writing proposals, and building program budgets.
• Manage construction plan implementation, materials procurement, and coordinate contract labor.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships between project/program partners
• Manage and work with a range of Grounded staff members across leadership levels as part of any one of your assigned project teams.
• Train and onboard staff in your specific program area as needed

General Responsibilities 

• Research industry standards, best practices, and opportunities for innovation in relation to project development 
• Generate content that aligns with Grounded communications strategy, including social media posts, blog writing, and website maintenance 
• Ensure program/project operations and activities adhere to legal guidelines and internal policies
• Attend professional development seminars as requested
• Represent Grounded at by presenting updates at working groups, partner committees, and community groups

Requirements

• Must have a Bachelor degree (BA, BS, etc.) and/or at least 2 years of working experience in a similar role
• Commitment to the Grounded anti-racism pledge and framework

• Must have reliable transportation and be able to drive a car and have appropriate auto insurance coverage, and a valid PA Driver’s license.
• Understanding of project/program management techniques and methods
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Work well with people in various communities, institutional, and governmental organizations - Experience working in low-income and communities of color preferred.

Qualifications

• Educational or working background in environmental sciences preferred
• Some experience in meeting facilitation, and/or community engagement
• Ability to work independently, be flexible, and manage multiple priorities
• Willingness to learn about general community development, environmental justice, and/or planning in the Pittsburgh region 
• Experience with volunteer management preferred
• Proficient computer skills, programs and applications typically used include Google Suite
• Some experience with project reporting and budgeting
• Some experience leading public presentations, training and speaking engagements
• Knowledge of environmental policy and public health issues.

Personal Qualifications:

• Personal values align with the vision and values of Grounded Strategies, including Grounded’s stance on anti-racism, as well as Grounded’s policies related to workplace discrimination and harassment.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment:

• Must be able to drive a motor vehicle.
• Must be able to lift 30 pounds.
• Must be flexible working in a fast-paced, non-profit environment.

Salary & Schedule

The base salary for this position is $43,500. The total annual compensation is $51,500 with the base salary in addition to the benefits listed below: 

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance: 85% Coverage for employees /pay (this is subject to change as health plans change in the future)
• 10 Holidays, plus your birthday, in addition to the week between Christmas and New Year’s when the Grounded office is closed
• 19 days of personal time off (includes all vacation, sick leave, and other personal days off)
• Eligibility for Life Insurance, Short - and Long - term disability, and our SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with up to 3% match from Grounded.

The position is expected to work at least 40 hours weekly. Candidates must be open to working a flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends.