Northern Rockies Conservation Director

American Rivers • Bozeman, MT

178d • $85,000 - $95,000

About The Position

The Northern Rockies Conservation Director works closely with the Northern Rockies Regional Director to lead our river conservation efforts in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. The Conservation Director will supervise staff, interns, and volunteers; build and maintain relationships with other conservation groups, key elected officials, and agency staff; interface with the media; conduct grassroots and grass tops outreach; and assist in raising funds from foundations, individual donors, and government sources. They will lead the Northern Rockies office's engagement in Montanans for Healthy Rivers, a coalition seeking to win new Wild and Scenic River designations in southwest Montana. The Conservation Director also will lead our team's engagement in public lands management plans and place-based collaboratives; respond to threats to high-value rivers; and assist in other projects and campaigns. In addition to being a senior member of the Northern Rockies team, the Conservation Director will also work with American Rivers staff based in other regional offices, participate on internal teams including our River Protection Team and Floodplain Restoration Team, and engage with our communications and government relations teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in natural resources, fish and wildlife biology, hydrology, environmental studies, political science, or related field; master's degree preferred.
• 7+ years of experience working in an advocacy role in the natural resources field, or equivalent experience.
• Solid working knowledge of bedrock environmental laws including the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and Endangered Species Act.
• Knowledgeable about river ecology, fish and wildlife biology, and other natural and physical sciences related to river conservation.
• Demonstrated passion for protecting and enjoying rivers.
• Excellent writing and public speaking skills.
• Proven experience generating earned media and utilizing paid media.
• Solid understanding of the culture and customs of the Northern Rockies region.
• Highly organized and able to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with limited direct supervision.
• Stellar team player who supports and inspires others.
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Willingness to travel and occasionally work irregular hours including evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Northern Rockies team's lead staff on ongoing river protection campaigns, including our longstanding campaign to protect new Wild and Scenic Rivers in southwest Montana in coalition with Montanans for Healthy Rivers.
• Lead our efforts to win long-term administrative protections for rivers flowing across public lands by engaging in land management plan revisions and comprehensive river management plans.
• Represent our Northern Rockies office in place-based conservation collaboratives that align with our river protection goals.
• Assist the Northern Rockies Regional Director in identifying promising new river protection, river restoration, and clean water campaigns in the region.
• Work with our Floodplain Restoration Team to identify policies and strategies for reconnecting floodplains in the Northern Rockies region.
• Develop and implement media strategies to build popular and political support for our river protection and restoration efforts.
• Represent American Rivers at meetings, conferences, donor events, public events, and in the media.
• Assist in mentoring and supervising other members of the Northern Rockies team including associates, fellows, interns and volunteers.
• Assist in writing grant proposals and reports.
• Help steward and expand our network of business and conservation partners.
• Collaborate with American Rivers staff in other field offices and national programs.

Benefits

• Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, long-term and short-term disability, and life insurance.
• Financial Security: After one year of service, American Rivers begins contributing a 3% employer contribution. There is no vesting schedule for employer contributions as employees are 100% vested upon participation.
• Time Off: Four weeks of paid leave, eleven paid holidays, three floating holidays, and sick leave.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Industry: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree