Southeast Conservation Associate Director

American Rivers

7d•$61,800 - $75,600•Remote

About The Position

American Rivers is a national conservation organization dedicated to making every river clean and healthy for people and wildlife. They achieve this by combining evidence-based solutions with enduring partnerships to protect rivers and streams, which are vital for clean drinking water, wildlife, and community strength. The organization values the diverse perspectives and experiences of its staff and partners, believing that life depends on rivers. The Associate Director will be a key member of the American Rivers’ Southeast Region, focusing on river restoration and dam removal within the Tennessee River basin. This role involves building and managing a portfolio of dam removal projects in the Upper Tennessee River basin, leading the Tennessee Aquatic Connectivity Team, and fostering strong relationships with community, agency, Tribal, nonprofit, and funding partners. The position will also contribute to building the policy and funding infrastructure necessary for river restoration and will support project and programmatic fundraising efforts in collaboration with other staff.

Requirements

Three to five years of experience in a relevant field, and a Bachelor’s degree or professional certification in a relevant field.
Strong passion for protecting and restoring the rivers of the Southeast and their watersheds.
Demonstrates commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, and an ability to work with others with varying perspectives and values.
Requires experience and strength in the following areas: project management, verbal and written communications, critical thinking, judgment and dependability.
Self-starter able to work independently and manage multiple projects and priorities.
Demonstrates initiative and creativity, and continually strives to improve program operations.
Consistent exercise of professional discretion and independent judgment.
Excellent personal organization and time management skills.
Ability to travel as needed which may include using a personal and/or rented vehicle.
Ability to perform multiple tasks effectively and efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
Ability and willingness to conduct field work in rivers, including paddling, wading, hiking, extended standing, transporting gear, and lifting and carrying 40 lbs.

Nice To Haves

Experience with dam removal, aquatic connectivity, river restoration, watershed conservation, infrastructure removal, or related natural resource projects.
Familiarity with Tennessee, Upper Tennessee River basin, Appalachia, or southeastern river systems.
Experience working with state and federal agencies, local governments, engineers, consultants, community partners, or conservation coalitions.
Experience with project budgets, grants, contracts, invoices, consultant scopes, or funder reporting.
Experience facilitating collaborative groups or multi-partner planning processes.
Ability to translate technical information for community, partner, funder, or public audiences.
Candidates who are unsure if they meet all minimum qualifications or who have transferrable skills and experience beyond the conservation sector are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Leads the priority restoration efforts in the Tennessee River.
Leads American Rivers’ engagement with the Tennessee Aquatic Connectivity Team.
Contributes to organizational and regional priorities as a member of the Southeast Regional staff.
Leads community engagement with racially, culturally, and economically diverse individuals and communities in an equitable and meaningful way.
Provides technical assistance and program-building assistance to advance high-priority dam removal and aquatic connectivity projects.
Facilitates meetings and nurtures relationships.
Identifies, tracks, and collaboratively pursues funding sources for projects.
Supports sound project administration, including consultant scopes, contracts, budgets, invoices, grant deliverables, and internal records.
Assists in the selection and management of consultants, and coordination of partners engaged in restoration projects.
Identifies ecosystem scale restoration projects in the Upper Tennessee River basin that will help meet the goals of the organization to remove 30,000 dams by 2050.
Represents American Rivers at technical meetings, conferences, press events and other public events as needed, and by composing, editing, and preparing high-quality, time-sensitive written communication.
Accurately and consistently manages administrative responsibilities, including timesheets, expenses, travel planning, project documentation, and internal reporting.