JOB SUMMARY

The Associate Director of River Restoration will work as a part of a collaborative team to meet American Rivers’ conservation goals in the Mid-Atlantic with a focus on restoring rivers through dam removal. We are looking for candidates with fresh, innovative strategies for building community support among a wide array of partners, including municipalities, land managers, State and Federal agencies, other NGOs, and Tribal Nations impacted by existing dams. Successful candidates will have the desire to grow in this position and gain expertise in managing dam removal projects and restoring river ecosystems through process-based restoration approaches that balance ecological, social, and cultural values as well as feasibility considerations. They will work locally to help scale dam removal efforts in the Mid-Atlantic by cultivating additional dam removal projects and supporting American Rivers’ efforts to build regional capacity to remove dams. With Regions across the country, American Rivers’ Mid-Atlantic Region serves Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Support dam removal and related river restoration efforts in the Mid-Atlantic Region.
  • Provide technical assistance for projects and project-planning assistance to key partners for completing high priority projects.
    • Facilitate meetings and nurture relationships.
    • Assist in the selection and management of consultants, and coordination of partners engaged in restoration projects.
    • Identify, track, and collaboratively pursue funding sources for projects.
    • Execute contracts, request expenditures, and process invoices.
    • Assists with project outcome reporting
  • Support the development of a multi-benefit dam removal project queue based on a planning-level assessment of feasibility and benefits with American Rivers’ staff and partners.
  • Lead community engagement with racially, culturally, and economically diverse individuals and communities in an equitable and meaningful way. Advocate for and incorporate the perspectives and solutions presented by frontline BIPOC communities and Tribal Nations into regional strategies and project plans.
  • Effectively communicate dam removal approaches and benefits to a wide array of audiences including Tribes, scientists, community-based organizations, landowners, and the public, using a variety of mediums, including but not limited to public and professional conference presentations, and potentially through published reports or papers. Represent American Rivers at conferences and other events.
  • Be an active teammate with the American Rivers’ Mid-Atlantic Region Team and the National Dam Removal Community of Practice, engaging in team meetings, collaborating with colleagues on project ideas and approaches, and developing, refining, and implementing effective restoration strategies.
  • Work will involve travel in Pennsylvania and West Virginia for partnership meetings, site visits, etc., as well as traveling nationally for conferences, trainings, and retreats as needed.
  • Manage time and expenses.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Three to five years of experience in a relevant field or a Bachelor’s degree or professional certification in a relevant field.
  • Understanding of river restoration approaches, including demonstrated interest in developing and managing on-the-ground restoration projects. Experience with fundraising, partnership building for restoration, and dam removal are a plus, but not required.
  • Must show initiative, coupled with creativity and strategic thinking.
  • Strong organizational skills and demonstrated experience meeting challenging project deadlines.
  • Possesses strength in critical thinking, problem-solving, judgment, and dependability.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking, effective communication, and the ability to facilitate partners and agency representatives in decision-making, consensus-building, and collaboration.
  • A team player with strong interpersonal and leadership skills, as well as the ability to work well with a diverse range of people. Experience working with multicultural communities, including engagement of Tribal nations and organizations, BIPOC, and Latinx communities.
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.
  • Ability to travel as needed.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The anticipated salary range for this position is $55,000-$65,000 depending on experience and qualifications. Full-time and full-time equivalent employee benefits include health, dental and life insurance, short and long-term disability plans, a retirement plan, and generous leave time. American Rivers offers flextime and telecommuting options to maximize work-life balance.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Apply through BambooHR. Please include a Cover Letter with your submission.

American Rivers is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

ABOUT AMERICAN RIVERS

American Rivers is championing a national effort to protect and restore all rivers, from remote mountain streams to urban waterways. Healthy rivers provide people and nature with clean, abundant water and natural habitat. For 50 years, American Rivers’ staff, supporters, and partners have shared a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers.

American Rivers centers the ongoing work of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in all that we do. The beauty of rivers is that they connect all people and communities, and we seek to build and embody this diversity in our organization and throughout the conservation field. The life experiences, knowledge, innovation, and talent that everyone brings to our work provides perspectives, experiences, and competencies which are critical to our effectiveness in protecting wild rivers, restoring damaged rivers, and conserving clean water for people and nature.