Program Associate (Part-Time)- Massachusetts Parks for People

Who We Are:

At TPL, we are a team of outdoor advocates who believe in connecting everyone to the outdoors. As an ethos, we believe access to the outdoors is a fundamental human need and essential to our health and well-being. ​We're committed to creating more places that bring us outside—parks, trails, playgrounds, and public lands—and making them available and welcoming to everyone, everywhere, regardless of ZIP code. We also understand that land has meaning; it tells the story of our history. That's why, through our Black History and Culture initiative, we're working to preserve sites that more fully represent the Black American experience; and we are an ally and partner to Tribal and Indigenous communities, working in partnership to reconnect them with their ancestral lands.

One hundred million people, including 28 million children, don't have nearby access to a park within ten minutes of their home. We're determined to change this outdoor equity gap–and as a result, nine million people and counting now have access because of our work. We have miles to go and a plan to get there. We are inclusive change-makers who believe in connecting everyone to the outdoors. We inspire by paving the way forward and strengthening our connection to nature. Join us!

Position Summary:

The Massachusetts Parks for People Program works with community leaders, neighborhood residents, public agencies, and non-profit partners to plan and implement green space projects. These projects are co-designed with those who will use the space and are intended to increase health and well-being, historical and cultural connections to place, social cohesion, civic engagement, and climate resilience.

The Program Associate - Parks for People will support the MA Parks for People Program with a particular focus on community engagement and public outreach. This position will report to the Associate Director and will aid in organizing and executing participatory design sessions and site activation activities to develop parks, schoolyards, and trails, in Boston and the MA Gateway Cities. During community engagement, the Program Associate will work with a range of people, including elementary-aged students, residents in public housing, and neighborhood community members to inform the development of equitable, community-centered outdoor spaces. This position requires stellar interpersonal skills, dependability, organizational skills, flexibility, and a collaborative spirit.

​​​​​ This is a part-time position, typically less than 20 hours/week) with flexible hours that will vary per week depending on program activity. The role includes some in-office presence, with specific days and schedule to be determined based on the needs of the department and the selected candidate’s availability. The position is grant-funded through 2028, with the potential to increase to a full-time role if future funding allows.

Essential Functions:

• Community Engagement (40%)
  • Support Associate Director with community engagement and participatory design sessions by facilitating conversations about parks, open space, design, and climate resilience
  • Engage in meetings and programming with schools, housing authorities, local nonprofits, and public agencies
  • Coordinate logistics and create materials for engagement events with direction from Associate Director including images, presentations, print materials
  • Travel regionally to advance projects in Boston and Greater Boston
• Communications (15%)
  • Work with program team and national marketing/communications team to create and distribute communications and outreach materials including event flyers, emails, social media, newsletter, web presence
  • Build public awareness through outreach events, networking, and attending events related to TPL’s work
• Project Coordination and Planning (20%)
  • Support event planning such as groundbreaking, ribbon cutting, webinars, community engagement events including but not limited to coordinating logistics, procuring catering services, researching and booking locations, creating digital invites, etc.
  • Act as lead note taker during engagement events and participatory design
• Field Work (10%)
  • Collect data at project sites including community surveys and interviewing partners
• Administrative (15%)
  • Support general office operations including stocking of supplies and managing vendors and equipment
  • Assemble folders with program information sheets and flyers for donors and events
  • Respond to internet and phone inquiries
  • Coordinate meetings with partners
  • Creating basic databases and organizing documents
  • Ordering event materials
• Other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong commitment to TPL’s shared values (Belonging, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Hope) to effectively work across the organization.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to self-perform tasks once assigned, promptness, and dependability.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to work well with others.
• Capable computer skills; familiarity with Microsoft programs and Airtable Experience managing remote communications technology such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
• Willingness to travel within Boston and Greater Boston; evening and weekend hours are sometimes necessary. A driver’s license and access to a car is preferred but not mandatory.
• Commitment to TPL’s mission of creating parks and protecting land for healthy, livable communities.

Special Knowledge and Skills:

• Proficiency in presenting information clearly in both written and oral formats.
• Passion for community engagement, outreach, and climate resilience, and interest in building relationships.
• Knowledge of Spanish preferred but not required.
• Flexible hours.

Compensation:

Trust for Public Land is a hybrid work environment, and this role will be located near Trust for Public Land’s Boston office. As a part-time, temporary employee, you will be eligible for the Trust for Public Land’s [one] personal day per year after six months of employment, sick time accrual, and 403(b)-retirement plan, currently with up to a 7% company match. We offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience; the pay for this position is $24.74/hour.

Trust for Public Land’s active goal is to be an inclusive and equitable place to work and build community. As the organization actively works to eliminate racial and other disparities, it welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skillsets. We are open to the possibility that a great candidate for this job may not precisely meet all the above criteria; if you believe you are the right person for this job and can persuasively make that case, we encourage you to apply.