Organization: Wetlands Watch
Point of Contact at Wetlands Watch: Mary-Carson Stiff
Organization Address: 2601 Granby Street Norfolk, VA 23517
Wetlands Watch is seeking a full-time Project Manager for our award-winning Resilience Research and Design Laboratory or “Collaboratory”, one of our neighborhood resilience and environmental justice programs. Designed to help promote nature-driven climate adaptation strategies, the Collaboratory aims to produce innovative adaptation tools, strategies, and designs by linking academic community programs with real-world needs in communities. This project helps speed adaptation, while incubating a community of practice. Wetlands Watch’s Collaboratory projects have occurred in various types of neighborhoods, but we prioritize projects in low/moderate income neighborhoods and communities of color. From our first project in Chesterfield Heights, Norfolk in 2014, to our most current collaboration with the Aberdeen Gardens Community in Hampton, we seek to collaborate with communities to co-create resilience designs and strategies that put them “at the front of the line” when implementation resources become available.
We seek an experienced and creative professional to lead the Collaboratory program and execute its 2025 strategic action plan. We will consider a candidate with less relevant experience in a Coordinator role, with the opportunity to advance to a Manager. The ideal candidate will have strong communication, facilitation, and relationship building skills, and experience working with and amplifying the voices of high risk communities impacted by environmental justice issues. A basic understanding of climate change adaptation and the use of natural and nature-based strategies to reduce flood risk is preferred.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Neighborhood Resilience Project Manager will be expected to work independently, with support provided by team members, as projects intersect with Wetlands Watch program work. Although we allow remote working and flexible schedules, the hire should live near our Norfolk office and expect to work in the office at least two days a week. This position requires attendance at some evening meetings and weekend events. The hire will occasionally travel across the state (mostly within the south eastern region) and within the U.S., as required.
As part of our organization, you will:
- Implement the Collaboratory Strategic Action Plan by managing Wetlands Watch’s Collaboratory projects and grow relationships and strengthen partnerships with academic institutions, localities, and neighborhood members to implement new and innovative Collaboratory projects
- Manage and help execute flood risk reduction projects in the Aberdeen Gardens neighborhood of Hampton, to implement the Aberdeen Gardens Resilience Action Plan
- Manage and develop Collaboratory web-based resources and online strategies for communicating with and recruiting partners for potential Collaboratory projects
- Organize/lead webinars and develop written materials that celebrate Collaboratory partnerships and successes
- Research grant opportunities to fund past Collaboratory project designs, in partnership with relevant stakeholders
ABOUT WETLANDS WATCH
Wetlands Watch is a statewide environmental non-profit in its 25th year of protecting the balance between people, place, and rising waters. We have seven staff and an office in Norfolk. We are one of the few conservation groups in the country working at the local government/grassroots level to implement climate change adaptation measures at community scale. Through our work, we foster collaboration, embrace adaptive change, take calculated risks, prioritize solutions, and are biased toward action.
The Collaboratory project deliverables – conceptual designs and robust community engagement – have helped local governments and community organizations apply for and receive funding to implement project designs inspired by the students’ designs. To date, our Collaboratory work has involved 374 students and 14 faculty partners at 8 academic institutions, and facilitated over $20.2 million in grant funding for implementation.
QUALIFICATIONS
Our ideal applicants will have 2 or more years of project experience in the nonprofit, educational, governmental, or related sector. Applicants should have a college degree or relevant work experience. Degrees or work experience in a related field (environmental disciplines, planning, landscape architecture, communication, etc.) is helpful. Additional areas of expertise, such as local government planning and zoning, coalition building, grass-roots community engagement, green infrastructure, or grant writing/funding knowledge would elevate an application. Proficiency with basic technology and social media platforms is expected, while some experience in graphic design, data visualization, and website development is preferred.
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 Neighborhood Resilience Project Manager will operate independently out of our Norfolk office, and must have access to reliable transportation.
Our ideal candidate is:
- Attentive to detail, has good time management skills, and able to work and thrive in a fast paced environment
- Creative, willing to take risks, and learn from failures
- Flexible and adaptive to changing funding conditions and organizational roles and responsibilities
COMPENSATION
- Salary range of $50,000-$60,000/year, based on experience, with health care support, retirement, paid vacation, and a flexible work schedule
- Mileage, travel, supplies, and normal office expenses in performance with job responsibilities will be reimbursed 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 encouraged and supported financially
- Health care reimbursement is available through a “Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement” (QSHERA). Reimbursements are paid monthly and limited to both monthly and annual limits per employee.
HOW TO APPLY
This posting was released on November 4, 2025. The application period is rolling and closes on January 9, 2026. We plan to hire in February. Complete applications must be sent via email to [email protected] with the job description clearly listed in the subject line.
Complete Application: cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references.
Wetlands Watch’s mission is to enhance natural resilience, bolster community adaptation efforts, and protect and restore wetlands throughout Virginia. We advance climate adaptation by working collaboratively with a wide variety of stakeholders, and by implementing solution-focused strategies that unify and connect.
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 of practice.