Background

The Long Island Native Plant Initiative, Inc. (LINPI) is a not-for-profit organization that conserves the genetic diversity of Long Island’s native plants, with an emphasis on the production and use of local ecotypes. The organization’s activities include seed collection, propagation, and sale of native plant materials, as well as the education of horticulture professionals and the general public on the importance of conserving the genetics of native plant species. LINPI administers the Long Island Invasive Species Management Area (LIISMA), one of eight Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISMs) directed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) . LIISMA protects the region’s native species and ecological communities through the prevention, early detection, and management of invasive species. The LIISMA region covers Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and Nassau and Suffolk counties. Funding for LIISMA is provided by the New York State Environmental Protection Fund, as administered by NYSDEC.

Job Summary

LINPI and LIISMA seek an experienced Education and Outreach (EO) Manager to develop and enhance informational and educational content, lead volunteer and partner training, and manage communications. The EO Manager informs, educates, and engages a variety of landowners, resource managers, governmental agencies, NGOs, horticulture and landscape professionals, educators, volunteers, and community members for the strategic management of invasive species and the conservation of local biodiversity.

The EO Manager develops prioritized and focused information on invasive species and educational content and programs for LIISMA to advance management efforts. This includes outreach to partners; developing, coordinating, and maintaining the LIISMA website (using WordPress); ArcGIS StoryMaps; iMapInvasives outreach; professional training; volunteer recruitment and training; monthly e-newsletter; handouts; press releases; reports; fact sheets; social media; interpretive signs; graphic design; displays; and presentations. The EO Manager leads in planning events, workshops, and conferences.

The LIISMA Program Manager supervises the EO Manager position. The EO Manager works as part of a team with the LIISMA Program Manager, Conservation Area (CA) Manager, Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) Manager, LINPI Board of Directors, and other staff and volunteers. The EO Manager focuses on LIISMA priorities and achieving tangible results on the ground.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and deliver invasive species awareness, communications, education, and outreach programs that support team efforts to prevent the spread of invasive species; rapidly detect and respond to emerging invasive species; manage invasive species at priority conservation areas (PCAs); and restore ecological communities.
• Under the direction of the NYSDEC Invasive Species Coordination Section (ISCS) Education and Outreach Coordinator, and in collaboration with the New York Invasive Species Database (NYISD) and other PRISMs, develop effective invasive species education and outreach materials and programs that meet strategic priorities.
• Track educational programs offered, events attended, materials produced, and participants in attendance. Develop reporting metrics and evaluate the effectiveness by collecting evaluations from participants and other appropriate methods.
• Write and design educational content for the LIISMA website, social media, presentations, displays, workshops, conferences, interpretive materials and signs, handouts, guides, press releases, reports, and e-newsletters. Deliver to ISCS final and development versions of all educational and marketing materials and documents.
• Develop, gather, and share information with LIISMA partners, through quarterly partner meetings, workshops, e-newsletters, listservs, press releases, reports, and other means.
• Help organize volunteer and community events for invasive species education, surveys, removal, and restoration focused on priority conservation areas and other strategic priorities, promoting events via local media outlets, social media, email, and other outlets. These activities may include the use of iMapInvasives, iNaturalist, and related applications, with a focus on EDRR species and priority conservation areas. Compile list of volunteer activities and hours contributed to LIISMA projects.
• Maintain and expand database of contacts including agencies, elected officials, NGO’s, and general public, and expand social media reach.
• Plan and coordinate invasive species education and outreach initiatives at local, state and regional levels in collaboration with partners, including workshops, conferences, and biennial symposia.
• Support NYS Invasive Species Council regular invasive species conference or alternative partner conference (e.g., annual Cornell In-Service) through planning, presentations, contributed papers, posters, and workshops.
• Manage the LIISMA monthly e-newsletter, including writing and assigning articles, design, distribution, and keeping track of regional updates and events.
• Coordinate education and outreach events with partners for programs and initiatives such as the New York Invasive Species Awareness Week (NYISAW) and the annual Coastal Bioblitz.
• Coordinate the graphic design of invasive species management plans, NYSDEC annual reports, NYSDEC final report, and other means of reporting.
• Develop ArcGIS StoryMaps that tell the story of LIISMA and regional invasive species.
• Cooperate with the New York Invasive Species Research Institute (NYISRI) and ISCS to identify research needed for prevention, early detection, rapid response, and control of invasive species. Support research efforts through community science related activities, such as data collection and monitoring.
• Work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Coordinate and track EO Program activities among staff, in cooperation with the LIISMA Program Manager, CA Manager, and EDRR Manager through an activity log, reports, and other documents and track EO contract deliverables.
• Contribute to overseeing/training interns or temporary staff in invasive species identification, iMapInvasives, and other LIISMA activities that aid their career development in cooperation with the LIISMA Program Manager, CA Manager, and EDRR Manager.
• Assist the LIISMA Program Manager in maintaining partnerships with statewide collaborators, including PRISM committees, NYSDEC, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, New York Natural Heritage Program, New York Invasive Species Research Institute, and other partners.
• Vision-cast for growth of the EO program, assist the team in developing annual work plans, strategic plans, monitoring protocols, grant applications, and data management, and carry out new initiatives that align with LIISMA priorities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree with 1-2 years experience in education, communications, journalism, ecology, conservation, natural resources management, biology, botany, forestry, horticulture, environmental science, public relations, landscape design, graphic design, GIS, or a related field.
• Strong skills in written, oral, and digital communications. This includes writing and editing emails and reports, making complex ideas accessible, and adapting communications to different audiences. Experience in graphic design and short video editing is beneficial.
• Skills in public speaking for virtual and in-person presentations.
• Ability to work well with a wide variety of people and organizations.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Knowledge and experience in ecology, conservation, and invasive species (preferred).
• Experience coordinating or leading conservation programs, projects, teams, staff, or volunteers (preferred).
• Experience in synthesizing technical information for a broad and diverse audience (preferred).
• Experience in developing and implementing virtual and in-person workshops and conferences (preferred).
• Experience with WordPress, Elementor, Adobe Illustrator, Canva, and ArcGIS StoryMaps (preferred).
• Valid driver’s license and internet access.

Work Schedule and Conditions

• The position is based at the LIISMA office in Brentwood, New York, with remote and field work opportunities.
• Schedule: Work will occur primarily during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, with occasional duties on weekends and evenings. Occasional overnight travel for meetings and training will be required.
• The position will entail work in outdoor locations where weather, temperatures, biological hazards (e.g., insects, ticks, poison ivy), and other climatic and physical conditions will vary significantly. The individual must be suited to working in such situations without undue burden, be alert to the prevention and control of hazardous conditions, and be especially able to alert and orient staff, volunteers, and community members to these conditions.
• The LIISMA coverage area includes Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and Nassau and Suffolk counties, requiring travel within the New York City metro region, across Long Island, to Fishers Island, and occasionally throughout New York State and Northeast regional areas.

Compensation: This is a salaried position with an annual salary range of $58,000-$65,000, plus a generous benefits package. Contract funding is expected through December 31, 2026, with the potential for renewing a contract for another five years.

Start Date: This position is expected to start on April 25, 2025.