The Conservancy is at an inflection point as it moves beyond its initial founding period to become a sustainable institution. They are undergoing a leadership transition from their founder and refocusing the mission to more completely connect their work to the city’s diverse neighborhoods and their wide variety of needs. As the organization shifts its focus to more heavily weight inclusive, people-focused programs and activities, the horticulture program will be one of the primary means through which they connect people and parks.

As the organization works through that transition, it’s clear the Conservancy is poised for dramatic growth of scope and impact. The position will be joining an organization with a strong track record and reputation as well as strong Board leadership and the financial capacity to build a robust, high impact organization that can fundamentally improve the lives of all the city’s residents.

This position will play a key role in the organization’s effort to bring diversity and inclusion to the horticulture sector. They are in the process of developing and launching a Community Fellowship Program (working name), which the new Manager will direct and play a vital role in developing the community and industry support base critical to the program’s success. This is an important initiative for the Conservancy which will become a core part of their future.

This effort seeks to foster a new generation of diverse horticulture and landscape professionals from the wider community through on-the-job skills training, professional development, and job placement, while working to improve and maintain Charleston’s parks and public spaces.

CANDIDATE PROFILE 

The Community Fellowship Program Manager is the primary strategist for and leader of the Conservancy’s Community Horticulture Fellowship program. The Manager is the key staff member responsible for creating the Program as well as rolling it out to the community. The incumbent will develop strategies and work plans to bring about a life-enhancing experience for the program’s Fellows. The Program applies sector-leading practices in the unique context of the City of Charleston to the daily operations of the Program. 

The position’s responsibilities include:

Strategic and Foundational Planning   10%

• Develop a comprehensive strategy and organizational philosophy for the Community Fellowship Program that incorporates best practices and reflects Charleston’s unique history and horticultural heritage, working closely with key members of the Conservancy’s Development and Horticulture teams as well as the City of Charleston Department of Parks, and other community stakeholders.
• Establish and implement community-focused program standards to maintain, upgrade and enhance the gardens and cultivated spaces under Conservancy care while providing enriching experience to program participants.

Leading the Fellowship Program   55%

• Manage development, roll-out and operation of program
• Recruit annually a class of 6 Fellows from varying backgrounds
• Develop immersive learning and working experience tailored to each Fellow which includes a year of working in parks, gardens, and public spaces around Charleston
• Collaborate with others to identify opportunities to place Fellows in a career-oriented positions in appropriate sectors upon completion of the program.

Education and Outreach   25%

• Serve as spokesperson, public educator, and ambassador for the Fellowship program and the Conservancy across a wide variety of public settings.
• Cultivate industry partnerships to support the program
• Support a Program Advisory Board collaboratively with Executive Director
• Develop partnerships with like-minded organizations to support the program’s goals and aspirations 

Management and Resource Development    10%

• Develop and communicate clear plans, standards and goals for the Fellowship program while leading, engaging and coordinating staff and others to continuously work to meet and surpass goals.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate progress against plans and budgets.
• Acts as a liaison with the City of Charleston staff as it relates to Horticulture Fellowship program activities
• Focus on inclusivity in all manners

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

• Strong program development and management experience including fostering workforce development or job training with the ability to build strategic partnerships to accomplish training for the program
• Experience with public/private partnerships and demonstrated ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with government and school-based partners
• Community engagement experience that demonstrates building trust with community members and includes principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Valid SC Driver’s License.
• Excellent communication skills with staff, volunteers, and community/users of our parks.
• Ability to teach others through both hands-on methods and a classroom environment.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, change oriented environment
• Willingness to take calculated risks to establish long-term change in organizational direction
• Must be willing to serve all of our internal and external constituents equally regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, gender identity and/or sexual orientation.

WHAT THE CONSERVANCY OFFERS

• Compensation in a range of $65,000 to $80,000 based on experience and/or qualifications
• Investment in your personal growth through individual direction, training, and learning opportunities
• A benefits package that includes 10 paid holidays, PTO, Health/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance, and a retirement plan

For more information about Charleston Parks Conservancy, please visit www.charlestonparksconservancy.org

Charleston Parks Conservancy makes recruitment, employment, promotional and all other Human Resource decisions without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or veteran status in accordance with federal and state laws regarding equal employment opportunities. The organization is committed to creating and maintaining a workplace in which all employees have an opportunity to participate and contribute to the success of the business and are valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives.