Organizational Background
The Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership (TTF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that works across its 30-square-mile urban watershed, collaborating with its municipalities and connecting watershed residents to their creeks. Through hands-on education, stewardship, restoration, and advocacy, TTF empowers watershed constituents to take care of and improve the impaired waterways, parks, and trails. Working with neighbors, TTF has planted thousands of native trees, shrubs, and flowers along creeks and in rain gardens at schools, parks, places of worship, and even backyards to slow down and clean pollution before it enters creeks. TTF uses many tools to share a love for water and nature with people of all ages and to show how we can all make a difference.
Since 2005, with the support of the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), TTF has partnered with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) to improve Tacony Creek Park, support the Green City Clean Waters program, and develop stewardship. TTF is part of the Alliance for Watershed Education of the Delaware River and the Delaware River Watershed Initiative and is increasingly recognized as a leading watershed organization.
Position Overview
TTF is seeking a Learning Trail Ambassador (LTA) to lead outreach and program events with community residents and organizations to activate the “River Alive! Learning Trail” project.
The “River Alive! Learning Trail” (RALT) is based on the River Alive exhibit at the Independence Seaport Museum, built on a neighborhood scale along Cayuga Street in the Juniata neighborhood next to the Ferko Recreation Center in Tacony Creek Park. The main goal of the Learning Trail is to connect people with the environment in which they live and invite families to Tacony Creek Park. These educational exhibits spark questions in young minds about how water and rain affect the creek, the wildlife around it, and their neighborhood.
Key Responsibilities
Community Outreach
- Contact and coordinate with schools, childcare facilities, and partner organizations to visit RALT
- Monitor, interact with the public, and promote the park programs at the RALT
- Respond to public inquiries about RALT events and programs
- Report to Community Watershed Leader about RALT issues and opportunities
Program Management
- Attend and keep track of the monthly field trip participants to the Independence Seaport Museum
- Coordinate and lead activities and materials for the public in RALT and Tacony Creek Park
- Document, keep track and report program participation numbers
Background & Skills
The ideal candidate will have experience in a related field and/or outreach.
- Strong interpersonal skills including curiosity and empathy
- Experience in community outreach and engagement
- Strong written and oral communication skills; Spanish a plus
- Ability to work independently
- Proficiency in computer usage
- Knowledge of Philadelphia neighborhoods and challenges
- Cultural competency to work with individuals and communities of diverse backgrounds and interests
- Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license and access to reliable transportation with appropriate insurance
Personal Qualifications
Candidate shares TTF’s commitment to clean water and community engagement, as well as a love of nature. The candidate will seek to foster community input and develop capacity. The candidate will enjoy being out in the community and meeting constituents.
Physical Requirements
Due to the nature of this position, a candidate with a vehicle is preferred. Must be comfortable with working in a collaborative team environment. Must be willing to use a personal cell phone when working remotely.
Salary & Schedule
Part-Time, temporary position: 15 hours/week at $25 per hour from July through December 2023. Position will be mostly outdoors at the RALT site, with some hours in the office/remote. Must be willing to work weekend and evening hours if needed.
How to Apply
Please send a cover letter and resume or CV to: Doryan De Angel, Community Watershed Leader, Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership (TTF) at doryan@ttfwatershed.org
Deadline: Friday, July 14, 2023. No phone calls.
We welcome applications from all people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation.
