Director of Environmental Justice

The Bronx River Alliance Seeks a Director of Environmental Justice 

The Bronx River Alliance serves as a coordinated voice for the river and works with 100+ partners—including NYC Parks—to protect, improve and restore the river so that it is a healthy ecological, recreational, educational, and economic resource for all communities through which the river flows. Since being founded in 2001, we have engaged over 24,000 volunteers, nearly 27,000 people have paddled with us, we have improved 26 acres of parkland, secured and coordinated over $250M, and created 22 acres of new parkland. 

The Bronx River Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. People of all identities are encouraged to apply. 

You can hear more about past and future work related to this position in a short video created by the NY Botanical Gardens.

Position Overview: 

The Director of Environmental Justice leads the Alliance’s efforts to advocate, coordinate, and implement capital & restoration projects in collaboration with staff, elected officials, agencies, NGOs. This includes continuing efforts to complete missing links in the Bronx River greenway and co-leading the Stop the Cross Bronx Expansion coalition.

Works with with a dynamic, diverse and talented team to build, fund and implement nature-based and traditional infrastructure projects  focused on environmental justice  to:

• Achieve the Alliance’s mission: bronxriver.org/about 
• Proactively address and solve long standing and emerging environmental problems by working with the leadership team, elected officials, agencies, and community stakeholders
• Maintain and develop an engaged network of partners and community leaders toward the funding and completion of projects
• Leads the Alliance’s efforts to advocate, coordinate, and implement restoration projects in collaboration with the Education, Greenway, Outreach, Recreation, Ecology, and Foodway Programs
• Collaborate and support cross-departmental needs such as fund development, external relationships, communications, and more
• Center diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA); community leadership; and environmental justice
• Perform related duties or special projects as directed by supervisor

Job responsibilities:  

Coordinate, Develop, and Implement Projects

Towards the completion of the  Watershed Plan and Bronx Climate Justice Task Force priorities

• With staff and other stakeholders, provide strategic leadership to implement green infrastructure and other projects
• Build partnerships, relationships, and coalitions towards implementation and maintenance of capital projects in the Bronx River watershed
• Lead on major capital grants 
• Plan and execute public events such as briefings, workshops, and engage stakeholders 
• Coordinate responses to spills, pollution, etc 
• Represent Bronx River Alliance in various contexts (NYC Parks, regional and citywide partnerships and coalitions, conferences, panels, etc.) 

Coordinate Stop the Cross Bronx Expansion Coalition 

• Build partnerships, relationships, and coalitions towards coalition goals and implementation of community vision
• Coordinate community engagement in PEL Process and around Community Benefits 
• Engage elected officials, agencies, groups, and organizations
• Represent the Bronx River Alliance regionally and citywide 

Communications 

• Work with staff to generate content to ensure regular and compelling external communications focused on above priorities

Fundraising

Assist in raising funds to support Bronx River programs and operations

• Develop ideas and provide necessary details for proposals, execute and manage contracts and/or grant agreements, track progress and provide metrics and other details for grant reports
• Develop proposals related to planning, implementation, and maintenance of infrastructure projects.

Starting Annual Salary Range: $ 79,551 – $103,000 (salary commensurate with experience) 

Work Schedule : Full time and in person position 

• 40 hours/week 
• Monday – Friday; 9am – 5pm
• Weekend and evening work may be required 

To Note:

• The Alliance works in partnership with NYC Parks and community stakeholders
• This position reports to the Executive Director
• The Alliance offers medical, dental and vision insurance; pre-tax transit benefits; and sick time, and other benefits
• The work location is Bronx River House, located at 1490 Sheridan Boulevard
• The position is currently funded for 1 year

Required qualifications:

• 3+ years professional experience related to duties above; one year of work experience at the Bronx River Alliance can substitute for two years of experience. A bachelor’s degree in a related field may substitute for one year of professional experience. Areas of study include: planning or community development, relations.
• Strong communication skills, ability to connect with diverse populations in the Bronx and speaking clearly and compellingly to large groups and elected officials
• Work experience in advocacy, community organizing, fundraising. 
• Ability to speak about a variety of park- and river-related subject areas and work with diverse constituencies
• Ability to develop and edit engaging proposals, reports, and promotional materials. 
• Deep knowledge of the Bronx and its diverse communities
• Experience working with local, city, state, and federal government towards the completion of projects 
• Attention to detail and ability to stay organized 
• Love of the outdoors, passion for the Bronx River

Preferred qualifications:

• Bilingual Spanish or other language spoken by Bronx communities strongly preferred
• Background in education, environmental science, and/or community organizing
• Proficiency in Google Apps Suite
• Proficiency in Salesforce, WordPress, and Canva 
• Understanding of ecology related to the river and parks 
• Previous supervisory experience
• Bronx and Lower Westchester residency
• Valid NYS driver’s license

The Bronx River Alliance is committed to practicing and upholding the values of inclusion, collaboration, environmental justice, responsiveness, communication, ecological restoration, innovation, respect, integrity, and public access. We value the full range of human diversity and seek to involve diverse populations in our staff, board, volunteers, and partners. Read our full values statement at bronxriver.org/about/values. Read our Commitment to Environmental Justice at bronxriver.org/about/commitment-to-environmental-justice

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to View email address on click.appcast.io 

Applications are processed on a rolling basis until filled.