Project Coordinator

Position Description: The Esplanade Association (EA) is seeking a Project Coordinator to support planning, permitting, and execution of the organization's mission-focused park improvement projects. The position would support the completion of projects through research, vendor, partner, and agency coordination, permit applications and tracking, and community and partner engagement. The position would also work closely with EA's Park Operations & Horticulture, Development & External Relations, Programs, and Finance teams to ensure improvements are well produced, announced, funded and activated. This role is a great opportunity for those interested in pursuing a career in project management or planning.About the Esplanade Association (Founded in 2001, the Esplanade Association (EA) is the community-supported non-profit dedicated to expanding the care of and for the historic Charles River Esplanade through projects, programs and plantings that amplify the park experience for over 4 million visitors annually. The Esplanade is downtown Boston's 64-acre state park maintained by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). This cultural landmark is revered for its natural and cultivated beauty, history, riverfront access, miles of popular running and biking trails, and dynamic programs with numerous organizations. EA's contributions include funding and implementing enhancements, revitalizations and activations, from free educational, recreational and cultural programs to tree plantings, repair or reconstruction of beloved park amenities as recorded on projects-programsaccomplishments. Plans are currently underway to introduce a new building and two-acre landscape improvement [Charlesbank] that will equitably welcome many neighborhoods to a year-round destination in the park. It's an exciting time to join a growing and impactful non-profit.Responsibilities:Projects & Planning Coordination:In-Park Project Support "” 50%Coordinate vendor & contractor research, selection, contracting, scheduling, park access, billing, and on-the-ground supervision for park-focused maintenance and enhancement projects, including playground repairs, art installations, pathwaywayfinding improvements, landscape enhancements, and more, in collaboration with colleagues within the EA team and at the Department of Conservation & Recreation.Provide administrative support to obtain permits for park improvement projects, including form input entry, collecting measurements and photographs, and drafting simple site layout plans.Support planning and execution of community engagement sessions to solicit project feedback and provide key project information in a clear and timely manner.Prepare and manage templates and files to aid in project planning such as memos, slide decks, budget spreadsheets, and project timelines.Oversee needed project signage efforts including content generation, design collaboration, internalexternal approvals, printing, and installation to ensure that in-park visitor communications are informative, effective, and have a friendly tone and professional appearance.Any other tasks and responsibilities as assigned, as related to park projects.Research and Insights "” 15%Collect, organize, and visualize park & visitor data to communicate the impact of EA project initiatives year-over-year, such as park entryexit data and water quality data.Help support the Development & External Relations team with compelling content to drive support and appreciation of EA's Projects & Planning initiatives.Research, review, and share with staff the latest park project and stewardship trends, best practices, and ideas from leading parks & recreation industry groups and publications.External Projects Liaison "” 15%Coordinate input on EA's advocacy positions, draft memos and comment letters, and prepare briefings, as needed, for projects or policies not managed by EA which may impact the Esplanade, such as third-party capital developments, maintenance, planning, research, advocacy or laws.Attend public hearingsmeetings, track updates and project milestonesdeadlines, and conduct research to support EA's consideration of potential impacts on the Esplanade or other local park ternal Team Coordination:Administrative Support - 20%For two-person Projects & Planning team, provide day-to-day support including but not limited to: scheduling, administrative support & task management, content drafting, stakeholder engagement, ensuring compliance with external deadlines, taking meeting minutes, etc.Review in-bound inquiries from EA Board, park visitors, and other stakeholders; field and resolve inquiries in consultation with Director of Projects & Planning andor relevant departments.For Board of Directors' Projects & Planning Committee, prepare meeting materials, take meeting minutes, and research potential projects for inclusion in annual and long-term capital plans, and other tasks as assigned.For EA Staff, track capital project alignment with EA's org-wide Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Commitments [DEIA] and Climate Action Plan [Climate-Action] and collate regular progress and impact reports for annual reporting and partner updates.Support the successful completion of cross-departmental events by collaborating on run-of-show documents, simple site layout maps, and day-of site preparation and event staffing.Qualifications:At least 2-3 years of experience in coordination of projects with budgets of at least $10,000.Exceptional organizational skills, with strong attention-to-detail and follow-through.Ability to prioritize and handle a variety of responsibilities simultaneously, with a proactive and adaptive approach to problem solving, and a team-oriented and positive fort with public-facing representation of the organization and its projects, from formal settings such as civic hearings and engagement with elected and agency officials, to leading and attending community meetings, to friendly customer service-oriented conversations with visitors in the park.Fluency with Microsoft Office suite (PowerPoint, Word, and Excel) and related programs.Clear and polished writing, editing, and internet research skills.Environmentally conscious, with a passion for parks, recreation, open space and climate resilience.Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), Project Management Professional (PMP), or Agile certification, andor relevant associate or bachelor's degree in project management, landscape architecture, public policy or planning preferred.Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suites andor with map creation tools a strong plus.Logistics:Work hours are on average 40 hours per week (currently Monday through Friday, 9a-5p) with up to two daysweek remote work with manager approval. Work will also require flexibilityavailability on mornings, evenings, and weekends for deadlines, meetings, and tasks as assigned.Work will require being in both indoor and outdoor settings across seasons.Work will require applicant to bend, reach, carry, climb, and lift 40 lbs. as necessary to perform assigned duties.Work will require a valid U.S. driver's license.Applicants are subject to Criminal Offender Record Information (C.O.R.I) check, however, we believe in rehabilitation and will provide any applicant the opportunity to address past work and life pensation:EA offers a competitive salary for the Boston non-profit and parks sector. Performance and compensation are reviewed regularly, and management provides all employees with transparent benchmarks and paths for professional development and promotion within the organization. Per recent market research, the annual salary range for this position will be $50,000-60,000, commensurate with prior experience and demonstrated skills.Benefits:15 vacation, 12 sick & 2 personal days per year (after 2 years of service, vacation days increase to 17)7 holidays & 4 floating holidays to use as employee choosesHealth and dental insurance, 80% of monthly premium paid by EAHealth savings account with $2,000 EA contribution for those enrolled in EA health plan403(b) retirement planCommuter benefits, pre-tax deduction up to $300monthPaid professional development opportunitiesApplication Process:Email cover letter and resume to with job title in the subject line. No phone calls, clude 1-page cover letter that answers this question: "In your view, what makes a public project successful?"Resume should include at least 2 references for roles within the past 3 years.Each file name should include the applicant's last name.The Esplanade Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer and greatly encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Diversity of opinions, experiences, and backgrounds is a key and valued component of our work to promote a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive experience on the Esplanade through an organization that is itself diverse and inclusive.Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet, women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you're new to non-profit administration, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or take the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest and what you hope to bring to this role.

Created: 2024-11-17