The Bronx River Alliance Seeks a Paddling and Outreach Coordinator

The Bronx River Alliance Seeks a Paddling and Outreach Coordinator

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. 

Position Overview: 

The Alliance seeks a Paddling and Outreach Coordinator to organize and lead canoe trips and to coordinate outreach activities and events that strengthen the Bronx River Alliance’s existing relationships and build new partnerships. The Alliance offers guided canoe tours to local residents so they can discover the Bronx River, its natural wonders, and the unique urban paddling experience. The Alliance is looking for a motivated self-starter to organize the necessary logistics and lead on-water trips, including leading paddling safety and giving on-water guided tours. The Alliance will help the Paddling and Outreach Coordinator obtain canoe training and certification. The Paddling and Outreach Coordinator must be knowledgeable about the diverse Bronx River communities in the watershed and passionate about connecting them to the Bronx River and Greenway. The Paddling and Outreach Coordinator will be responsible for the following paddling related duties:  

• Lead safe, educational and fun canoe trips with a priority towards serving environmental justice communities
• Collaborate with the development team on funding, grants, campaigns, special events, etc.
• Supervise a staff member that would support paddling activities
• Maintain a fleet of canoes, kayaks, and other related equipment
• Perform administrative duties, including reporting and record keeping
• Collaborate on content for newsletters, websites, social media platforms, etc.
• Maintain the Alliance’s webpages for paddling activities, including event registration pages 
• Follow and update paddling tour scripts and safety protocols 
• Collaborate on the logistics of our annual paddling fundraiser, the Amazing Bronx River Flotilla 
• Recruit and train river guides to assist with canoe trips in collaboration with the outreach team
• Organize canoe training for Alliance staff and volunteers
• Perform related duties or lead special projects such as organizing other recreational activities along the Bronx River (hikes, bike rides, runs, etc) as directed by supervisor
• Center diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA); community leadership; and environmental justice

Outreach responsibilities will include:

• Connect communities to the Bronx River, its parks (the Bronx River Greenway) and the Alliance, supporting Friends groups, Advocacy teams, special events, and volunteers.
• Connect local communities and partners to River House as a center for community engagement (e.g., workshops, trainings, paddling, arts programs, environmental education, etc)
• Collaborate on and implement outreach strategies for Bronx River initiatives, programs, and events, using both digital and traditional marketing
• Collaborate with Volunteer Coordinator 
• Support Outreach program success, including tracking program deliverables, purchasing, etc.
• Represent the Alliance through participation in community, regional, and/or national networks
• Maintain relationships with elected officials, police precincts and community boards 
• Support or assist other programs as needed

Starting Annual Salary Range:  $ 55,167 – $60,000 (salary commensurate with experience) 

Work Schedule: Full time and in person position 

• 35 hours/week 
• Tuesdays – Saturdays; 9am – 5pm
• Occasional evening work may be required for special events

To Note:

• The Alliance works in with partnership with NYC Parks and community stakeholders
• This position reports to the Outreach Manager
• 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. 

Required qualifications:

• 1-2 years professional experience related to duties above; one year of work experience at the Bronx River Alliance can substitute for two years of experience
• Strong communication skills, ability to connect with diverse populations in the Bronx and speaking clearly and compellingly to small groups (20 people) 
• Work experience in education, community organizing, or outreach preferred. Bachelor’s degree in related field may substitute for one year of professional experience
• Ability to speak about a variety of park- and river-related subject areas and work with diverse constituencies
• Passion for leading walking tours, outdoor volunteer stewardship events, and other community-serving activities
• Ability to develop and edit engaging proposals, reports, and promotional materials. 
• Deep knowledge of the Bronx and its diverse communities required.
• Mastery of basic canoe skills and an enthusiasm to learn more
• Ability to lift over 75 lbs.
• Valid driver’s license required; 
• Attention to detail and ability to stay organized 
• Curiosity, ability to learn, particularly regarding river-related topics 
• Strong swimmer
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Ability to work occasional weekends and evenings.
• Love of the outdoors, passion for the Bronx River!

Preferred qualifications:

• Bilingual Spanish or other language spoken by Bronx communities strongly preferred
• Experience running or assisting a paddling program 
• Background in education, environmental science, and/or recreation 
• Trailer driving experience 
• Proficiency in Google Apps Suite
• Preferred proficiency in SalesForce, WordPress, and Canva 
• Canoeing certification (training can be provided)
• First Aid and CPR certification (training can be provided)
• Understanding of ecology related to the river and parks 
• Previous supervisory experience
• Experience in community-based social marketing
• Arts-based outreach programming experience
• Bronx and Lower Westchester residency

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 rec-hiring@bronxriver.org by March 21, 2025.

Applications are processed on a rolling basis.