Local recruitment: Southeast Conservation Associate Director

American Rivers

Asheville, NC, USA 🇺🇸

Position Description 

TITLE: Southeast Conservation Associate Director 

CLASSIFICATION: Associate Director I 

DEPARTMENT: Conservation 

WAGE CATEGORY: Exempt, Full-time  

REPORTS TO: Southeast Conservation Director  

LOCATION: Asheville, NC 

ABOUT AMERICAN RIVERS 

American Rivers believes a future of clean water and healthy rivers everywhere, for everyone is essential. Since 1973, we have protected wild rivers, restored damaged rivers and conserved clean water for people and nature. With headquarters in Washington, D.C. and 300,000 supporters, members and volunteers across the country, we are the most trusted and influential river conservation organization in the United States, delivering solutions for a better future. American Rivers centers the ongoing work of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in all that we do. Rivers Connect Us is more than just our tagline. 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. 

JOB DESCRIPTION  

The Associate Director will work as a part of a collaborative team to meet American Rivers’ conservation goals in Southeast Region with a focus on climate adaptation and community engagement in the upper Tennessee River watershed in eastern TN, southern VA, western NC, and northern GA. This work includes working with communities to restore damaged rivers through dam removal and floodplain restoration, restore water quality, protect critical watersheds, improve resilience to drought and reduce the impact of flooding.  The Associate Director has responsibility for supporting project and programmatic fundraising in collaboration with other staff across the organization.  

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

  • Contributes to organizational and regional priorities as a member of the Southeast Regional staff;   
  • Leads priority conservation efforts within the upper Tennessee River watershed including riverside land protection, clean water infrastructure, and river restoration projects; 
  • Leads community engagement with racially, culturally, and economically diverse individuals and communities in an equitable and meaningful way; 
  • Provides technical assistance for projects and program-building assistance to key partners for completing high priority projects;  
  • Facilitates meetings and nurtures relationships;  
  • Identifies, tracks, and collaboratively pursues funding sources for projects;  
  • Executes contracts, requests expenditures, and processes invoices; 
  • Assists in the selection and management of consultants, and coordination of partners engaged in restoration projects;  
  • Leads American Rivers’ engagement with the North Carolina Aquatic Connectivity Team; 
  • 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;  
  • Manages 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; 
  • Strong passion for protecting and restoring the rivers of the Southeast and their watersheds;  
  • Demonstrates initiative and creativity, and continually strives to improve program operations; 
  • Demonstrates commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, and an ability to work with others with varying perspectives and values 
  • Strength in critical thinking, judgement and dependability; 
  • Consistent exercise of professional discretion and independent judgment; 
  • Excellent personal organization and time management skills; 
  • Ability to travel as needed; 
  • 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. 

COMPENSATION 

The salary for this position is $50,000-$63,000 depending on experience and qualifications. American Rivers offers full-time employees a generous benefits package that includes health, dental and life insurance; four weeks of paid vacation; 11 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays; 12 days of paid sick leave; and a 3% employer retirement contribution.  


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DEGREE REQUIRED

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