Cleanup Coordinator

For more than 20 years, our cleanup program has connected people to place providing opportunities for individuals, companies, and groups a chance to come together and practice hands-on stewardship of the lands and waters that sustain us all. Each year, thousands of volunteers participate in this program and remove metric tons of trash from beaches, riverbanks, parks, and other green and blue spaces across the Long Island Sound region in Connecticut and New York. Join us as our Seasonal Cleanup Coordinator and help us take action to safeguard our waters and our communities from plastic pollution and other trash.

WHO WE ARE:
Save the Sound leads environmental action in the Long Island Sound region. We fight climate change and build resilient communities, save endangered lands, protect the Sound, and restore its rivers and coastlines. We do this in many ways, from legislative advocacy and legal action to engineering, environmental monitoring, and hands- on volunteer efforts. For more than 40 years we’ve been ensuring people can enjoy the healthy, clean, and thriving environment they deserve—today and for generations to come.

Learn more about us at www.savethesound.org

THE POSITION:
The Seasonal Cleanup Coordinator provides critical coordination and staffing support during the height of the cleanup season (late spring – early fall). In this position you will plan, execute, staff, and help improve our largest annual volunteer engagement effort. You will report to the Connecticut and New York Cleanup Coordinator and be based in our New Haven office.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
The immense task of coordinating all of these cleanups includes communicating with volunteer Cleanup Captains (volunteer cleanup leaders), individual cleanup volunteers, local community groups, municipalities, corporate sponsors, and the Ocean Conservancy to ensure these cleanups are successful. The Seasonal Cleanup Coordinator is responsible for the following activities from May through October:

• Assist the Connecticut and New York Cleanup Coordinator in planning and running cleanup events for corporate partners through the spring and summer
• Direct outreach to inland communities, groups, and schools to support new cleanup locations
• Direct outreach to schools to recruit student/youth Cleanup Captains
• Recruit and communicate with Cleanup Captains and volunteers
• Identify, travel to, and assess potential cleanup sites on rivers in inland Connecticut
• Purchase, organize, and distribute cleanup supplies
• Interact with Ocean Conservancy, who hosts the International Coastal Cleanup
• Coordinate with municipalities to gain cleanup event approvals
• Act as liaison between cleanup volunteers and Save the Sound
• Attend weekend cleanups as needed during the summer and fall, including bringing cleanup supplies to/from events and running/supporting cleanup operations
• Tally cleanup data and input into database
• Following the end of the cleanup season in late September / early October, the Seasonal Cleanup Coordinator will assist with inputting cleanup data into spreadsheets and Ocean Conservancy’s website.

Common Organizational Job Responsibilities:

• Maintaining positive and productive working relationships with all Save the Sound staff members, including providing and receiving constructive feedback,
• Participating in building productive relationships with Save the Sound's members, external partners, policy makers, and the general public and
• Completing all administrative work on time, such as timecards, expense reports, and planning documents.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Required

• Interest in cleanup efforts, coastal and river conservation, and Save the Sound’s mission
• Highly organized and able to move projects forward independently
• Ability to carry up to fifteen pounds of cleanup supplies from vehicle to cleanup site and carry full trash bags from cleanup site to dumpsters
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle
• Excitement about working outside in the elements
• Ability to successfully navigate to specific cleanup locations and willingness to lead group cleanup events
• Availability on occasional weekends to attend and lead cleanup events; Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21 are a must
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office programs: Outlook, Word, Excel
• Demonstrated proficiency in oral and written communication
• Comfortable working both as part of a team and individually, and interacting with the public as a representative of Save the Sound

Preferred

• Experience with community organizing, project coordination, or event planning is a plus

TERMS & COMPENSATION:
This is a temporary, part-time 6-month position that pays $25/hour for an average work week of up to 20 hours/week. The work is expected to begin May 12, 2025, and run through October 31, 2025. Hours will vary during the contracted time, ranging from approximately 15 hours per week in May, June, and early July up to 25 hours per week for late July, August, September, and early October. This is a temporary position that does not include benefits. Reimbursement for work-related travel is provided. Some evening and weekend hours are required for this position. 

This position is contingent upon the continued level and availability of funding for work organizationally. Save the Sound reserves the right to modify or terminate employment if funding is reduced or unavailable.

Additional Details Common to All Positions
Save the Sound’s Commitment to Equity and Diversity
Save the Sound is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on age, color, disability, marital or parental status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Our organizational leadership and staff are working to deepen Save the Sound’s diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek to attract a more diverse applicant pool, and to add and retain more outstanding Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to all levels of our team. We work in diverse communities and landscapes and are actively working to increase our focus on driving environmental justice and equitable outcomes through our work.

Hybrid Work Arrangements
Save the Sound has adopted a hybrid in-office/remote work arrangement. Staff are expected to report to either of our offices at least 1 day per week (unless their position requires otherwise). Details of this arrangement are determined upon hire and employees must notify their manager of any necessary changes. It is at the manager’s discretion to amend the agreed upon work arrangement dependent upon business needs, work performance or other factors.

To Apply
Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and list of references. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be reviewed as they are received. Applications will be accepted starting April 14th, 2025.

We are a thoughtful and thorough organization. We will be in touch to acknowledge receipt of your application and to schedule selected applicants for an interview. Our hiring process can take several weeks. You will be informed when the hiring process is complete. Please be patient.