Seasonal Cleanup Development Assistant

We are seeking an organized, compassionate individual who thrives while researching and coordinating with sponsors to help fund our program across Connecticut and parts of New York to join our team as Seasonal Cleanup Development Assistant. Join us! 

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. 

This position will be part of the Ecological Restoration team, a growing group of eleven individuals who share a deep love and respect for the natural world and find joy in working with community members to identify and implement projects that restore the conditions for thriving ecosystems and diverse communities. With a wide array of lived experience and unique skills, the team is an open and curious group of professionals who support one another and are the staff members most likely to show up in the office covered in mud. 

Impact 

Save the Sound is the Connecticut coordinator for the annual International Coastal Cleanup and is actively assessing opportunities to expand our cleanup efforts in New York. Our Connecticut Cleanup initiative takes place during the fall (primarily the month of September) and engages over 2,000 volunteers in more than 70 cleanups. In 2024, our committed volunteers prevented more than 8,500 pounds of trash from reaching Connecticut waterways and Long Island Sound. In New York, we partnered on or hosted two cleanups last year and are excited to expand this effort through new sponsorships. Our team works with Cleanup Captains for each of these cleanup sites to ensure that they and their volunteers have a fun, impactful, well-organized experience that deepens regional stewardship of our green and blue spaces. Our volunteers collect data during all cleanups, which helps our team advocate for policy changes and new legislation at the state and federal levels. All data we collect is submitted to Ocean Conservancy’s global database.  

This entire program is funded by corporate sponsorships, and Save the Sound is often approached by potential sponsors about partnering. The role of the Seasonal Cleanup Development Assistant will be to help us be more proactive in seeking out new sponsors to help expand and improve the program. 

The Position 

Save the Sound’s regional cleanup efforts are funded primarily through corporate sponsorships.  The Seasonal Cleanup Development Assistant will report to the Connecticut and New York Cleanup Coordinator, and is responsible for the following activities from January through May:  

• Research potential new corporate cleanup sponsors that would be a good fit with Save the Sound’s mission
• Create and submit legal review requests for potential new sponsors
• Initiate direct outreach to new potential sponsors by phone, email, and/or tapping into staff and Board networks
• Keep detailed notes and documentation of research, outreach, and discussions
• Identify, travel to, and assess potential cleanup sites close to potential sponsors
• Assist with outreach to past sponsors to restart, continue, and/or increase their sponsorship

Qualifications 

Note from the team: The confidence gap and imposter syndrome are real things, and we are aware that it is easy to find reasons in these qualifications lists to “disqualify” yourself. If you are interested in this role, we encourage you to apply and we look forward to hearing from you!  

Required Qualifications and Characteristics: 

• Interest in cleanup efforts, coastal and river conservation, and Save the Sound’s mission
• Highly organized and able to move projects forward independently
• Comfortable and adept at phone conversations, including “cold-calling” potential new corporate sponsors, and able to follow up on this initial contact with virtual or in-person meeting
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle
• Experience with professional networking platforms, especially LinkedIn, and online research methods
• 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
• Ability to handle and manage sensitive information while maintaining confidentiality

Desired Qualifications and Characteristics: 

• Understanding of or experience in corporate philanthropy / corporate social responsibility
• Experience in development / fundraising, especially with corporate donors or foundations
• Experience with B2B sales or partnership development

Common Organizational Job Responsibilities:  

• Common organizational job responsibilities include
• 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.
• Completing all administrative work on time, such as time sheets, purchase orders, project reports and planning documents.
• Passion for the outdoors/natural world (you tell us how that is manifested in your life!)

Terms and Compensation 

This is a temporary, part-time 4-month position that pays $25/hour for an average work week of 15 hours/week. The work is expected to begin January 20, 2025 and run through May 16, 2025. This is a temporary position that does not include benefits. Reimbursement for work-related travel is provided.  

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. 

Remote or Hybrid Work Arrangements 

This position may be performed remotely, or on an in-person/hybrid basis out of either Save the Sound’s Larchmont, NY or New Haven, CT offices. However, since some in-person meetings or field visits may be required, only candidates living in southern New York (Westchester, NYC, Long Island) or Connecticut will be considered. 

 To Apply 

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and list of references to the posting on our careers page. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be reviewed as they are received. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. 

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 from 5 to 7 weeks. You will be informed when the hiring process is complete. Please be patient.