Program Manager, Long Island Sound

Reports to	Program Director, Long Island Sound
Employment	Full-time; exempt
Location	Remote; must reside in Connecticut or New York within the Long Island Sound watershed
Travel	Approximately 20% throughout the region, including partner meetings, site visits, trainings, and events
Compensation and benefits	$80,000 to $88,000 per year, see below

About RAE and LISCIF 

Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE) advances coastal restoration and protection through projects, practitioner education, community engagement, and advocacy. The Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) advances environmental justice and community resilience by funding community-led projects, providing technical assistance and capacity building, and connecting regional organizations and practitioners.

Position Purpose 

The Program Manager leads LISCIF’s competitive grantmaking, technical assistance, and regional learning. As a primary contact for applicants and subrecipients, the manager helps community-based organizations develop applications, carry out projects, navigate grant requirements, and share results. The role combines program leadership with hands-on management of the application and award cycle, budget and invoice review, compliance coordination, and partner training.

The manager leads programmatic review, project support, and partner relationships. With the Grants Administrator, the manager coordinates application and award workflows, documentation, agreements, Euna records, and invoice routing. Program staff assess fit, scope, progress, and deliverables; administrative and compliance reviews follow RAE procedures.

Key responsibilities 

Competitive grant cycle 

• Maintain the workplan, schedule, and records; align activities with Long Island Sound Partnership priorities, award requirements, and community needs.

• Develop Requests for Proposals, application materials, eligibility guidance, scoring criteria, and applicant instructions with the Program Director and colleagues.

• Coordinate outreach and applicant support, including information sessions, application questions, technical assistance referrals, and accessible communications.

• Coordinate the application cycle with the Grants Administrator: track submissions, check completeness, organize reviewer materials, document review, and coordinate selection recommendations and approvals.

• Communicate decisions and next steps; support transition from approved application to award setup and agreement execution.

Subrecipient management

• Serve as a primary program contact for LISCIF subrecipients; clarify program expectations, deliverables, milestones, reporting schedules, and available support.
• Help troubleshoot permitting, quality assurance project plans (QAPPs), and other regulatory compliance issues.

• With the Grants Administrator, turn approved applications, scopes, and budgets into complete award records and agreements; coordinate amendments and follow-up under RAE procedures.

• Monitor project progress, deliverables, outcomes, and risks; review program reports and follow up promptly with subrecipients and RAE staff.

• Review budgets and invoices for alignment with approved work and budget categories; flag questions or variances and coordinate administrative, compliance, and payment review with the Grants Administrator and Finance.

• Guide subrecipients on implementation needs, including QAPPs, permitting, regulator coordination, and reporting, or connect them with technical experts.

• Coordinate budget, schedule, scope, and deliverable change requests; document decisions and obtain approvals before changes take effect.

Technical assistance and training

• Assess applicant and subrecipient needs; coordinate technical assistance, capacity-building resources, and referrals to support current projects and future funding.

• Plan and deliver training on applications, project management, reporting, financial administration, compliance, and other identified needs; coordinate presenters and stipends as applicable.

• Plan and support the annual LISCIF learning exchange and peer activities connecting community organizations, practitioners, and regional partners.

• Gather community and partner input to improve program access, applicant support, and the relevance of LISCIF investments.

Budget, compliance, and systems

• Track portfolio budget, commitments, expenditures, invoices, and forecast with the Grants Administrator, Program Director, and Finance; raise emerging issues promptly.

• Help applicants and subrecipients understand award terms and federal requirements; coordinate compliance questions, risk follow-up, and documentation with the Grants Administrator and Vice President.

• Use Euna to manage application and award records, program data, and workflow status. Coordinate workflow, form, training, and reporting needs with the Grants Administrator and Vice President, who share system administration.

• Track outputs and outcomes, maintain impact data, and prepare dashboards and summaries for funder reporting and RAE communications.

• Review each grant cycle and recommend improvements to materials, workflows, technical assistance, monitoring, and partner experience.

Communications Support

• Coordinate communications with RAE, Long Island Sound Partnership, and subrecipient communications teams.
• Help coordinate LISCIF press events and other in-person events.

Organization-wide contribution 

• Participate in staff, program, and grants meetings, retreats, and events; contribute to cross-program learning and the Inclusive Coasts Initiative as needed.

• Support a collaborative, respectful, learning-oriented culture and perform related duties.

Qualifications 

Required 

• At least seven years of relevant experience in community-based environmental programs, restoration or protection, grantmaking, nonprofit program management, or a related field.

• Experience administering competitive funding or subrecipient awards, including application review, award setup, budgets, invoices, reporting, or compliance coordination.

• Working knowledge of federal grants and ability to interpret requirements and explain them clearly to community organizations and colleagues.

• Experience supporting community-based or under-resourced organizations through technical assistance, capacity building, training, or partnership-based programs.

• Strong project and budget tracking skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple deadlines and award cycles.

• Strong writing, communication, and facilitation skills; ability to explain complex or sensitive requirements clearly and accessibly.

• Ability to work independently remotely and collaboratively across a dispersed team; valid driver’s license and ability to travel throughout the watershed.

• Bachelor’s degree required. Applicants may hold degrees in any field; relevant experience in grantmaking, community development, conservation, or nonprofit administration will inform overall fit.

• Authorization to work in the United States.

Preferred 

• Experience with EPA or NOAA awards, 2 CFR Part 200, Euna or another grant management system, environmental justice, or community resilience.

• Experience in coastal restoration or work supporting the Clean Water Act and Long Island Sound communities.

• Multilingual skills, especially languages spoken in the Long Island Sound watershed. 

COMPENSATION 

RAE offers a salary of $80,000 to $88,000, commensurate with experience, and a total compensation package that includes 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums; generous 401(k) contributions; liberal PTO; a flexible work environment; and an annual professional development stipend.

TO APPLY 

Submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected] with “LISCIF Program Manager” in the subject line. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Open until filled.

RAE is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and individuals with differing abilities are encouraged to apply. If you meet at least 75% of the qualifications, we encourage you to apply.

Interview candidates will be notified on a rolling basis. For application accommodations, email [email protected].