Chesapeake Program & Contracts Specialist

This is a part-time, 19 hour per week, up to 2-year grant-funded position with the possibility of extension based on continued grant funding. Please note, this position is not eligible for benefits. Working location is remote from a home office within the continental United States, with the option of working out of the Easton, MD office. The chosen applicant must work Eastern Standard Time hours.

The Chesapeake Project & Contracts Specialist will be a key member of TNC’s Chesapeake Bay Program and the Chesapeake Bay Agriculture Team working to restore a healthy Chesapeake Bay that supports over 3,700 species of plants and animals, thriving local communities, and sustainable industries such as fisheries, farming, and tourism. The Chesapeake Project & Contracts Specialist will bring their enthusiasm to work with multiple conservation teams to advance projects that improve water quality, sustain and increase biodiversity, and increase climate resiliency by facilitating efficient and effective communications among teams and partners, supporting rapid processing and approval processes to pay invoices and participant payments, draft contracts and facilitate approvals and deadlines, and track and report on project deliverables and conservation outcomes. 

The Chesapeake Project & Contracts Specialist will support projects and contracts and coordinate cross-functional operational activities, including operations support, procurement, finance, and meeting support. Core focus areas include: 

• Project Coordination: Advance the strategic priorities of the Chesapeake Bay agriculture strategy by completing tasks and activities that are critical to advance projects. They will be responsible for collaborating with team members to plan and coordinate parts of internal and external facing projects including those funded by large Federal grants; coordinating among internal TNC teams (e.g., Grants, Legal); coordinating project team meetings and associated follow-up; updating/maintaining intranet sites and other internal databases; and coordinating a variety of administrative and programmatic functions.  

• Contracts & Internal Systems Management: Perform Information Systems, Data Security, and Finance tasks, including processing and managing contracts, procurement, managing invoices, preparing reports and forecasts, and tracking existing budgets and contributing to budget forecasts. They will be well-versed in the systems and resources utilized by the team, including data security requirements, to execute assigned tasks.  

• Team Support: Provide guidance to ensure TNC policies and procedures, financial standards, and legal requirements are met. They will implement processes and practices to improve effectiveness. They will communicate with staff across the Chesapeake Bay agriculture strategy team, as well as with vendors and business partners. They will communicate or distribute information to assist staff in making decisions, solving problems, and improving workflow.  

The Chesapeake Bay Program is a landscape-level team working across the Chesapeake Bay watershed to restore a healthy Chesapeake Bay that supports over 3,600 species of plants and animals and produces food for people locally and around the world. Our agriculture strategy is focused on leading the effort to promote agricultural sustainability and resilience across the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. We work closely with public and private partners to identify barriers to the implementation of regenerative practices on farms and test new incentive structures, technologies, and risk abatement strategies to support the economic and environmental sustainability of agriculture in the Bay watershed.  

We’re looking for a mission-driven, operations specialist to support multiple related projects in the Chesapeake Bay agriculture strategy. The successful candidate will understand how operations contribute to team and organizational success and have a strong project management skillset with experience leading operations functions for a diverse, multi-disciplinary team. They will possess exceptional communication and collaboration skills and experience organizing and supporting complex projects. If you have a passion for conserving and protecting the natural world, addressing climate change and enhancing the sustainability of our food system, and believe in TNC’s mission and values, please apply for this position and learn more about the Conservancy. 

• Work within scope of program’s strategic goals; 

• Act independently on assigned tasks and exercise independent judgment based on analysis and experience, referring difficult questions and unusual problems to supervisor; 

• Coordinate projects with several variables, working within a defined timeline and budget; 

• Demonstrate sensitivity in handling confidential information; 

• Perform non-routine analysis, research and follow-through; 

• Ensure compliance with Conservancy policies and procedures, and external (donor/legal/IRS) requirements; 

• Ensure compliance with private and public grant terms and conditions; 

• Financial responsibility includes purchasing, processing invoices, contracting with vendors, and assisting with budget preparation; 

• May act as a resource to others to solve problems and act in supervisor’s stead when instructed; 

• Provide input through project teams for the improvement of existing programs; 

• Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain;

• Work is diversified and may not always fall under established practices and guidelines;

• May require occasional domestic travel for multi-day retreats in the mid-Atlantic region and working flexible hours as needed to coordinate with staff and partners located in the Eastern time zone in the U.S. 

• Bachelor’s degree and 2 years related experience or equivalent combination.

• Experience coordinating administrative processes.

• Experience generating reports and interpreting data.

• Experience in business writing, editing, and proofreading.

• Experience organizing time and managing diverse activities to meet deadlines.

• Experience working across teams and communicating with a wide range of people.

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

• Ability to analyze information for the purpose of coordinating and planning activities and solving problems.

• Ability to use existing technology to achieve desired results.

• Excellent customer service skills and focus.

• Experience interpreting guidelines to achieve desired results.

• Strong organization skills, accuracy, and attention to detail.

• Experience managing components of large Federal grants.

• Experience managing contracts, including drafting and completing due diligence.

• Experience with financial systems, including invoice and budget management.

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $31.34 – 41.75 hourly rate. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube   to hear stories from staff or visit  Glassdoor.

One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!
TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Employees must submit their application by logging into Workday and applying via the Jobs Hub.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.
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