Coastal Resilience Project Manager

Coastal Quest Inc is seeking a Coastal Resilience Project Manager in Oakland, CA. The role involves leading projects to enhance coastal resilience for communities, focusing on multi-benefit solutions and capacity building. Responsibilities include project management, grant writing, and organizing conferences. The position requires expertise in sea level rise adaptation and collaboration with local jurisdictions. The Project Manager will work closely with the Coastal Quest team and partners to implement impactful programs.
Coastal Quest is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to accelerate solutions, building resilient coastal communities for people, nature, and the climate. We work collaboratively with communities to build a more resilient coast by increasing inclusive, science-based planning, governance, financing, and project implementation for a just, prosperous, and sustainable future. Coastal Quest works around the world, from white water to blue water, on lakes and shorelines, and at the land-water connection. We provide project management, science and technical expertise, connect partners with financial and human resources, contract management, grantmaking, facilitation of public-private partnerships, and fiscal sponsorship services for mission aligned projects. We are purposefully nimble, designed to solve multifaceted and complex coastal issues. We are here to achieve resilience goals, reduce threats, and implement solutions.

Primary Responsibilities:

The community focused coastal resilience Project Manager will provide support and leadership for Coastal Quest's work to achieve our two goals- 1) build multi-benefit solutions for healthy and resilient coasts and 2) increase coastal resiliency for vulnerable communities and economies. The Manager will support, lead, and deliver on work - in coordination with the Coastal Quest team and partners - to strengthen capacity and enhance coastal management for people, nature, and climate. The Manager will support the Organization as we grow and build innovative programs that tell compelling stories and enhance our impact in the coastal and climate space. This role involves implementing existing projects and working with the Coastal Quest team and partners to grow additional programmatic areas. The role involves being an on-the-ground representative for Coastal Quest. The Manager will work on a wide range of projects and programs for the organization and will need excellent time management skills and the ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously. Although this position works on cross-cutting coastal community issues, expertise in sea level rise adaptation, funding and sustainable financing, economics and policy is appreciated. The Project Manager will support efforts in the Bay Area and across California working with local jurisdictions and communities to accelerate solutions and help get resources on the ground. The Project Manager will support the Ocean Protection Council SB 1 TA program, our Climate Smart Communities Initiative projects, and fiscally sponsored projects, amongst other efforts. At least 70% time will be supporting grant writing for Coastal Quest and partners. The main duties of the Project Manager will be, but are not limited to:

Manage projects that achieve Coastal Quest's two goals (listed above) and implement projects independently, with the Coastal Quest team, and partners.

Write proposals, reports as well as editing and review of similar documents for Coastal Quest.

Provide fundraising, program, and administrative technical assistance for wide range of partners and fiscally sponsored projects.

Develop virtual and in-person conferences and workshops from start to finish, including marketing material, contact management and outreach, conference logistics, virtual and in-person support.

Conduct social science research, including development of data collection tools, analysis, and reporting

Work with partners to collaboratively design, assess, and test solutions for coastal resilience and sustainability for people, nature, and climate, including budgeting, contract management, project management, research and monitoring, data and technical needs.

Develop workplans, manage multiple projects with the ability to work independently, set deadlines for team and partners, and ensure personal accountability.

Qualifications:

The ability to be a self-starter who assumes hands-on responsibility, balances competing priorities and deadlines, and demonstrates sound judgment and good problem-solving skills.

Possession of an analytical, strategic, and creative approach to problem solving.

Ability to produce products in a timely fashion through collaborative processes.

Strong partnership-building skills.

Excellent written and oral communication skills and a working knowledge of all Microsoft Office programs, including Word, PowerPoint, and basic statistical functions in Excel.

Strong project management experience, including work and labor planning, managing budgets and contracts, and federal and/or state grant agreements. Consulting experience strongly preferred.

Proven track record of writing winning grant proposals, delivering programs, reporting, and invoicing.

Acts independently on assigned tasks and exercises independent judgment based on analysis and experience.

Experience working with diverse and inclusive audiences.

Strong, personal commitment to realizing the mission of Coastal Quest.

Knowledge and Experience:

Minimum of a bachelor's degree with a multidisciplinary background (social science, biology, ecology, environmental economics and business, environmental law, policy, etc.).

5+ years professional experience working in relevant field.

Knowledge of, and experience working with, state and/or federal agencies and environmental regulations a plus.

Experience in managing complex or multiple projects and timelines, including staffing, workloads, contracts, budgets, and finances under deadlines.

Preferred experience with running and facilitating meetings.

Experience researching, critically analyzing, and evaluating information from divergent sources and compiling it into cohesive reports and recommendations for strategy and action.

Experience in partnership development with Tribal nations, business, nonprofit partners, community groups, and/or government agencies.

Demonstrated experience writing winning proposals and reporting on impact.

Social science research and critical analytical thinking experience, including quantitative and analytical skills, problem solving, and adaptability.

Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experiences are appreciated.

Application Instructions: Please submit the following in 1 pdf to info@:

1 page cover letter and resume

1 writing sample

3 references

Salary: $75,000-$95,000 depending on qualifications and experience

Benefits: Competitive package, including health, eye, dental, 401k, paid time off, holidays and sick leave

Closing Date: Open until filled and start reviewing resumes April 7, 2025

Location: Headquarters in Oakland, CA

Coastal Quest is fully committed to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment and where employees are treated with respect and dignity.

About the Company:
Coastal Quest Inc