Position Summary

River Network is looking for an experienced, highly organized, and multi-faceted Grants Manager to join our dynamic team. The Grants Manager will contribute to River Network’s financial stewardship and efficiency by providing grant-funded project management and compliance expertise with a focus on federally funded USFS, NPS, EPA, and other government awards. This role will provide leadership on grants-related reporting, budget development and tracking, reimbursement requests for government awards, and continuous improvement for the grants management function. In partnership with staff, the Grants Manager will also help River Network select and implement grants management software to facilitate a competitive sub-award process and streamline compliance tasks. The Grants Manager will work closely with staff and partners under the guidance of River Network’s Vice President of Finance, People and Operations.

Essential Functions

• Supports grants management, including budgets/budget amendments, compliance reporting, contract documents, renewals, and proposals with specific attention to federal awards.
• Leads on the timely and accurate creation of monthly or quarterly reimbursement requests for federal awards.
• Creates and manages workflows among the River Network team to ensure efficient processes for monitoring, tracking, and reporting on grants.
• Coordinates with internal program teams on developing grant budgets and project plans to ensure adequate reporting and compliance per funder guidelines, conveying essential information to staff and external parties.
• Collaborates with appropriate staff on project closures and reviews completed activities to confirm that all deliverables have been received and all financial transactions have been recorded.
• Participates in the project design and implementation phase and provides advice to program staff on the administrative and financial structure of projects.

Requirements

Basic Qualifications

• Two or more years of grants management and administrative experience.
• Experience managing federal awards and knowledge of federal compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of current and evolving trends in financial management, compliance, and administration.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, proven experience translating complex and technical concepts into clear messages for teammates and partners.
• Detail-oriented and organized, with experience in simultaneous oversight of multiple projects, completing tasks on often stringent timelines, and communicating effectively around shifting needs and/or priorities.
• Technologically savvy, with proficiency in MS Office programs (Word, Excel, PPT, Outlook, SharePoint), and other programs. Finds joy in problem-solving and learning new systems.
• Excellent data collection and analytical skills.
• Protects the proprietary and confidential information of River Network and honors confidentiality agreements with colleagues and partners.
• Commitment to River Network’s vision and mission, and to our core values of strength, mutual respect, integrity, balance, growth, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project management experience and an enjoyment of incorporating process improvement in all aspects of work.
• Comfort with financial information, reports, and the ability to convey this information with clarity and simplicity.
• Experience with grants management software and Salesforce.
• Background or knowledge of environmental projects, systems, and environmental justice concepts.

Please apply by April 29, 2024 via our Workable portal: https://apply.workable.com/river-network/j/2DC6F0E6D4/ WHAT TO EXPECT: We'll review your application materials for experience, knowledge and abilities required to successfully perform the job. Only those selected to advance in this process will be contacted for an interview. Candidates must possess current and valid U.S. Work Authorization and be eligible to work for any U.S. employer without sponsorship. As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent on the successful completion of a background check. Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification. We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with each qualification in the job description, please go ahead and apply anyway! You might be just the right candidate for this role. Consistent with our values and our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion as stated above, River Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Benefits

River Network offers medical, dental, and vision health insurance; 403b retirement savings plan; vacation and well-being leave; life insurance; technology stipend; and paid holidays. River Network works on a 32-hour/4-day work week, with our offices closed on Fridays.

About River Network

River Network grows and strengthens a transformational national network of water, justice, and river advocates to support healthy rivers, safe and affordable drinking water, and climate-resilient communities across the United States. We envision a powerful and inclusive movement that ensures abundant clean water for all people and nature to thrive. Visit www.rivernetwork.org to learn more about our current priorities. Our headquarters are in Boulder, Colorado and we have staff located in communities across the U.S. We are committed to embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (EDI) in all areas to achieve our mission – explore our core values and commitment to EDI, our explanation for why EDI is the foundation of our mission, and our principles for equitable and inclusive work. Through our programs, we seek to connect with all communities and increase the impact of their efforts towards healthy rivers, safe and affordable drinking water, and climate-resilient communities. Through our internal practices and external leadership, we seek an inclusive workplace culture that attracts diverse staff, board, members, and supporters.

Position Description

Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Associate Director (AD) is responsible for oversight and supervision of programs and associated staff for REW. Key responsibilities will be planning, management, and fiscal accountability of those programs that support the organization's 2022 – 2024 Strategic Plan. The AD will need to have excellent leadership skills, solid nonprofit and personnel management skills, fundraising experience, and a demonstrated ability to successfully manage vibrant and collaborative organizational programs. The AD must work well in a team setting of experienced and passionate employees, board members, volunteers, and practitioner partners. The AD will be an important component of the organization to help translate the organizational mission and vision into action and successful outcomes. This position will be required to travel periodically throughout western Colorado and eastern Utah and occasionally throughout the southwest U.S. This is a full-time position with a comprehensive benefits package.

Primary Responsibilities

Personnel Supervision, Systems Management

• Work with staff to provide guidance, administrative, and technical support on REW programs.
• Work with the Executive Director and other staff to provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to other staff in the organization.
• Direct supervision of all program staff, including annual work plans and performance reviews.
• In coordination with the Executive Director, oversee the recruitment, hiring, and training/orientation of program staff.
• Oversee the proper establishment and execution of contracts and other financial tools for restoration work.
• Oversee the proper utilization and maintenance of REW’s business systems such as databases, timekeeping and donor management software, and cooperative agreement reporting systems.

Program Oversight, Planning, and Support

• In coordination with staff, plan, coordinate, and support the implementation of REW programs and events.
• Establish policies, procedures, and safety guidelines for all programs.
• Evaluate program effectiveness in conjunction with REW staff.
• Work with the Executive Director to design new programs or projects as appropriate.
• Oversees necessary logistical activities to implement and execute REW programs.
• Communicate federal, state, and local policies and relevant information to program staff that might impact or enhance work.
• In coordination with staff, develop and administer grants, track in-kind services, and project expenses, and meet grant reporting requirements.

Internal and External Relations

• Work with REW partners to understand their needs and provide technical support to improve their capabilities.
• Contribute to the production of newsletter articles, website, and other promotional materials in conjunction with Outreach Coordinator.
• Provide presentations at agency events, conferences, workshops, and public and committee hearings.
• Maintain open communication lines among REW staff and partners.

Organizational, Fundraising, Administration

• Assist with organizational management and administration.
• Support the Executive Director in interactions with the REW Board of Directors, funders, members, and other constituents.
• Participate in fundraising efforts for the organization; specifically, grant writing and editing skills.
• Oversee broad, yearly program-specific fundraising strategies.
• Provide leadership to programs staff to support fundraising endeavors for REW.
• Cultivate and foster relations with riparian restoration industry partners.
• Develop and maintain yearly program budgets.
• Maintain REW programs’ fiscal accountability and transparency.
• Apprise Executive Director and Board of Directors of program and project status.
• Assume duties as directed during Executive Director’s absence.

Competencies & Personal Characteristics

• A self-motivated and energetic leader.
• Leadership style must be mission-driven, outcomes-focused, detail-oriented, positive, and collaborative in nature.
• Must be comfortable interacting and maintaining a visible role with a wide variety of partners, elected civic leaders, the business community, and natural resource managers.
• Must have management experience, ideally from the nonprofit or governmental sector, and understand the technical aspects of managing a nonprofit organization.
• Able to think creatively and strategically and demonstrate an ability to define problems and construct solutions.
• Proven ability to manage positive relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders and viewpoints with diplomacy and tact.
• Ability to communicate effectively with multiple audiences using a variety of formats.

Education

An undergraduate degree from an accredited university or college is required – an advanced degree is preferred. REW is open to a range of educational backgrounds, including public policy, environmental sciences, nonprofit management, business, and natural resource management. Training and/or experience in nonprofit or business management is desirable. For more information, contact Rusty Lloyd via email at rlloyd@riversedgewest.org or by phone at (970) 256-7400.

Salary/Benefits

$70,000 - $83,000 commensurate with experience and education. Group health insurance plan, 403(b)7 retirement plan, holiday and paid time off (vacation and sick), FAMLI Medical Leave program (maternity/paternity leave), employee assistance program, flexible work schedule, and professional development opportunities.

Application Instructions

Please send a cover letter, resume, and three references in one document via email to rlloyd@riversedgewest.org, with the title “Last Name_AD_Application_2024”. Word and PDF files only. Applications will be reviewed starting April 25, 2024. However, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

About RiversEdge West

RiversEdge West (REW), formerly Tamarisk Coalition, has been working since 2002 to protect the quality and ecological integrity of riparian lands (riverside habitat) as an important means to promote the economic, social, and cultural well-being of communities in the Western U.S. REW is seeking a leader with proven nonprofit, program, and personnel management skills to join a high-functioning team to help us make positive impacts on rivers in the West.

Background Information

In 2022, an Integrated Water Management Plan (IWMP) for the Yampa River Basin was developed in a collaborative process led by the Yampa-White-Green Basin Roundtable. Two of the 20 recommendations included in the IWMP were later combined into the Yampa River Stewardship Program (YStew). YStew aims to:

• Define desired future conditions (DFCs) of river segments with input from river scientists, practitioners, and stakeholder groups.
• Identify best management practices (aka strategies) to move from current conditions to those desired future conditions using data collected during Friends of the Yampa’s (FOTY’s) Yampa River Scorecard Project (YRSP) as well as other available data.
• Develop outreach tools and provide training, support, and resources to practitioners, landowners, and land managers to guide them in implementing the identified strategies.

YStew is an initiative of the Yampa River Collaborative, a group of local conservation and agricultural nonprofits – all with a vested interest in river health – that formed after the completion of the IWMP process. Along with FOTY, who will act as the administrative lead of YStew, the Collaborative includes Community Agricultural Alliance, River Network, Yampa Valley Sustainability Council, The Nature Conservancy, and Trout Unlimited. Background work on this project includes a Scope of Work (see attachment A below) that was completed in June of 2023.

Project Purpose

The main purpose of YStew is to strategically identify and prioritize projects to improve river health and to build capacity for landowners and practitioners to implement those projects by providing educational, funding, and programming resources. YStew is not focused on project implementation; rather, it is the intermediary step between data collection through the YRSP and project implementation and is focused on supporting landowners and land managers to prepare to implement best management practices, improve river health, and build resiliency in our riverine ecosystem and its uses. Specific objectives include:

1. Define current conditions, desired future conditions, and strategies to bridge the gap between the two.
2. Identify opportunity areas that could benefit from grant money, best management practices, and infrastructure improvements.
3. Provide landowners, land managers, and practitioners with river stewardship resources, information, and programming in order to increase the capacity of stewards along the Yampa River.

Scope of Work

The Collaborative seeks a technical consultant to assist in defining DFCs, assessing current conditions, defining DFC achievement strategies, and developing resources and training opportunities for practitioners and land managers. Specifically, the technical consultant will be responsible for:

1. Working with the Collaborative and a broader group of stakeholders to jointly develop DFCs for different river segments. This includes reviewing YRSP data to better understand past, present, and potential future conditions; supporting the planning and implementation of two stakeholder engagement meetings per year; and working with the Collaborative and a graphic designer consultant to develop conceptual illustrations and written descriptions of DFCs that meet the stakeholder vision, utilize the best available science, and align with projected future conditions.
2. Working with the Collaborative to assess current conditions of each river segment, using data collected and collated by the YRSP and other available data. This includes identification of any data gaps.
3. Working with the Collaborative to define DFC achievement strategies (i.e., how stakeholders will move the river from current conditions to DFCs) for different river segments in a series of work sessions. These may include invasive species management, riparian revegetation, floodplain restoration, grazing management, and more.
4. Working with the Collaborative and a graphic designer to develop a practitioner guidance document that illustrates key examples of existing conditions and the strategies to achieve DFCs in a given river segment. This document will draw on and be informed by existing resources. Upon completion of the document, the technical consultant will work with the Collaborative to host two 1-day trainings per year with practitioners and land stewards on how to utilize the guide.

Annual deliverables for the technical consultant’s work will include DFC descriptions for the given river segment, a memo comparing current conditions to DFCs, a memo documenting the recommended DFC strategies, a practitioner guidance document, written technical contributions for the YStew website, and two 1-day trainings for practitioners.

Schedule of Work

Every year, one of the five segments of the Yampa basin (Upper Yampa, Steamboat segment, Elk River, Middle Yampa, and Lower Yampa) is monitored through the YRSP. Because YStew utilizes data from the YRSP, the YStew process will operate on a given river segment following the year in which data was collected on that river segment. However, because YStew needs to “catch up” to the YRSP cycle – which began collecting data in 2022 – two segments will go through the YStew process in 2024. The yearly schedule for YStew is as follows. In 2028, the cycle will start anew with the Middle Yampa segment. Currently, funding is available to plan YStew through 2026, so the dates of work under this RFP are late April 2024 through November 2026, with possible extension depending on the outcome of subsequent funding applications. The schedule for each river segment is as follows:

• 2024: Middle Yampa AND Steamboat segment
• 2025: Upper Yampa
• 2026: Elk River
• 2027: Lower Yampa

Within each year, YStew tasks will follow this schedule:

• Develop DFCs: May - Early July
• Assess current conditions: Early July - Early August
• Define DFC achievement strategies: August
• Develop practitioner guidance document and host trainings: September - November

*In 2024, this task will begin in May to account for time to hire a technical consultant, but in subsequent years, it will likely begin in March.

Budget

The total budget for the technical consultant’s work (including any necessary subcontracting relating to technical input or facilitation) over 3 years is $70,000. We expect a greater share than one-third of those funds to be spent in the first year, with a less than one-third share spent in subsequent years once processes and templates have been established and created.

How Can I Be Considered?

The Collaborative will select the technical consultant for YStew, and FOTY will be the hiring entity. Please submit the following materials to Emily Burke, FOTY Conservation Program Manager, at emily@friendsoftheyampa.com by Wed, April 17th at 11:59 pm.

• A short description of your qualifications for the project (<3 pages), including:
• Collaboration and consensus-building experience
• Technical knowledge of river ecology, morphology, hydrology, and restoration techniques
• Data synthesis, GIS, and spatial data analysis skills
• Examples of at least two (2) similar projects conducted on river health and conservation best management practices
• Relevant staff resumes, if applicable
• Proposed budget, including timeline and task breakdown
• At least two (2) professional references for projects with a similar scope of work

The Collaborative will select the consultant by Wed, April 24th.

Questions?

Please contact Emily Burke (contact information above) with any questions, and replies will be provided as promptly as possible.

Position Description

The Executive Director (ED) provides transparent, collaborative leadership in the planning and administration of programs and operations of the Luckiamute Watershed Council (LWC) in accordance with the LWC mission and goals. In addition to projects, services, events, personnel, and finances, the ED is the primary representative of the LWC’s interests. The ED leads the implementation of the strategic plan and supports the Board of Directors (Board) in fulfilling its governance functions. This is a full-time, exempt position, hired by and reporting to the Board. Acting with integrity, humility, and respect, the Executive Director maintains a high level of professional conduct. They know their limits, learn from mistakes, ask for help, and set clear boundaries. The Executive Director has the capacity to self-regulate, listen actively, and mediate positive outcomes to conflict. Accountability: The Executive Director operates under the general direction of the Board, to whom the ED is directly accountable, and communicates promptly as circumstances dictate. The ED works most closely with the Board President, but regularly engages with the other Board and committee members through regular reporting and meeting participation. The ED maintains practices that protect the LWC’s good standing with funders, partners, contractors, and the watershed community.

Responsibilities

Primary areas of responsibilities of the Executive Director include:

• Board Engagement: Work closely with the Board to advise and inform and facilitate communication between the Board and staff; plan, prepare and help facilitate meetings of the Board. Interpret relevant state and federal laws and policies for the Board and committees to inform decision-making. Participate in Board development, recruitment, orientation, and training.

• Strategic Planning: Facilitate strategic planning process and regularly evaluate the LWC’s goals and objectives, programs, services, roles, and responsibilities. Ensure effective implementation and monitoring of LWC projects and use data to adapt strategies.

• Organizational Administration: Manage LWC’s day-to-day operations and legal obligations, foster fiscal and organizational sustainability. Respond to media, agencies, partners, and other inquiries on LWC’s behalf. Stay abreast of best practices for nonprofit management and seek to improve outcomes and increase capacity. Develop organizational systems, plan for growth, and protect culture throughout necessary changes.

• Personnel Management: Direct and supervise staff, including recruitment, development, and retention. Sustain motivation through continuous performance management, supportive resources, and equitable performance rewards. Engage qualified contractors and consultants. Promote and support volunteer activities and ensure proper staff oversight. Monitors and maintains federal, state, and local HR compliance. Act as a steward of LWC’s culture, representing the mission and values at all times and fostering an expectation of fairness and trust.

• Resource Development: Secure funding for continued general operations, projects, outreach, education, and other Board initiatives through grants, partnerships, contracts, and donations. Direct and participate in fundraising activities and engage committee and Board support and participation. Provides staff resources and coaching to develop grants, calculate projected costs at the time of implementation, consider operational resource needs, and craft a narrative case.

• Budgeting and Finances: Manage all LWC budgeting and financial operations, in cooperation with the Board and Finance Committee. Provider oversight and accountability for the control of resources and report regularly on LWC’s financial status. Coordinate and review work delegated to financial consultants. Administer grants effectively and fulfill all reporting requirements.

• Partnerships, Community Relations, and Events: Foster and maintain positive connections in and among the community, LWC’s constituencies, other watershed organizations, agencies, service groups, and committees. Communicate and coordinate with funding agencies and other organizations central to LWC’s mission and programs. Actively seeks to sustain and develop partnerships and coalitions with local community groups, universities, other regional organizations, and other watershed councils.

• Landowner and Community Outreach: Guide staff in pursuing landowner agreements and cooperation for project implementation, communicating effectively with impacted parties, and maintenance of landowner databases. Direct development and distribution of the quarterly newsletter, LWC Meanderings, and the regular Behind the Scenes bulletins for Friends of the LWC.

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Coordinates with Board, committees, partners, and staff, to advance the LWC’s EDI initiatives. Organizes training, provides resources, and champions organizational changes to support inclusive operations, culture, and programs at LWC.
• Other Duties as Assigned: These may include attending conferences and workshops; planning, facilitating or presenting at meetings; participating in other activities as required by the Board.

Physical Condition Requirement: Duties include both indoor and outdoor tasks. Office work includes sitting, typing, standing, and moving supplies and gear. Some physical exertion is required for this position, including the ability to move 40+ pounds and use/operate LWC tools and equipment. Outdoor work often occurs in remote locations, in variable weather conditions, often on uneven ground and in stream channels. Work is conducted on private and public lands; driving personal vehicles on gravel roads is common. The LWC is friendly to adaptations and reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Additional Position Details: Paid time off (PTO) and benefits are decided by the Board with reference to the LWC Personnel Policy. The position is funded through grants and donations. The ED is responsible for developing and maintaining funding for the position.

What we can offer

• An expected salary of $75,000 - $85,000 and a generous benefits package (medical, dental, vision insurance; 11 floating paid holidays annually, PTO and up to 3% retirement match);
• A committed, talented team that believes in the value and purpose of our organization and works hard to move our mission forward;
• An engaged, talented, and motivated Board of Directors who supports the work of LWC;
• Considerable opportunity to put your creativity and ideas to good use. We are a vital and valued organization poised for growth; we need your ideas and your help to create the right structure and foundation for success; and
• An organizational culture that values the individuality of each team member, plays to the strengths of each individual, and is devoted to creative and inclusive programs and opportunities to enhance the area and beauty of the Luckiamute Watershed.

Apply here: https://jobs.crelate.com/portal/nonprofitprofessionalsnow/job/8uiwpcnkt7zmpq7f45hnmcrdge/LWCexecdir

The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) seeks applications for the Summer 2024 seasonal cycle of our Housatonic River Steward internships. River Stewards will assist with tasks related to watershed management, wildlife conservation, and the community-engagement aspects of natural resource management. In addition to learning and professional development provided by HVA staff, River Stewards will have opportunities to connect with a variety of partners collaborating with HVA to restore and protect the Housatonic River watershed. This includes but is not limited to municipal staff and officials; regional, state and federal agencies; and non-profit organizations. River Steward positions are based out of HVA’s main office in Cornwall Bridge, CT. They focus primarily on HVA’s conservation work in the Connecticut and New York regions of the Housatonic watershed with occasional opportunities for work in the Berkshires, MA. These are full-time (40 hours/week) contract positions lasting approximately 12 weeks from early June to Labor Day. River Stewards must commit to working at least one weekend day per week, including the July 4th weekend.

Internship Overview

River Stewards collaborate with staff from HVA’s Watershed Conservation and Land Protection teams to support various programs and projects. They spend approximately 70% of their time in the field with at least one more HVA Intern/Staffer and 30% of their time in the office. Tasks for 2024 will include:

• River Information and Outreach (RIO) program River Stewards will:
  • Exchange information with recreational river users about water safety, sustainable use, and equitable access at popular recreation access sites along the Wild and Scenic Housatonic River (from the MA-CT border to Boardman Bridge in New Milford);
  • Collect data about recreational use through informal interviews and site assessments;
  • Conserve access sites through duties such as trash cleanup and invasive species control;
  • Update HVA’s @HousatonicInfo Instagram page with news such as river conditions and site openness for people to plan their recreation at the Wild and Scenic Housatonic River.
• Stream corridor assessments River Stewards will support HVA staff in the field with the conduct of “streamwalks” along stream reaches in subwatersheds targeted for watershed-based management planning. Streamwalks document threats to water quality and habitat as well as identify restoration opportunities to address those threats. Stream corridor assessments will use the Unified Stream Assessment (USA) protocol developed by the Center for Watershed Protection. HVA staff will train River Stewards in the USA protocol and use of relevant HVA equipment.
• Water quality monitoring River Stewards will collect and manage chemical and biological data to support watershed management planning efforts and track effectiveness of restoration projects. HVA staff will train them in data collection protocols plus the operation and maintenance of monitoring equipment.
• Restoration project maintenance River Stewards will conduct maintenance activities at restoration project sites where initial installation has been completed. Maintenance activities may include invasive species control, upkeep of drainage systems, dry-weather watering of restoration plantings and trash clean-up. These tasks may be done with a high-school Crew completing HVA’s Connections program.
• Follow the Forest Independent Projects River stewards will develop an independent project in coordination with HVA staff to advance a meaningful part of the Follow the Forest Initiative. Projects may include (but are not limited to) utilizing ArcGIS Online to create a story map, developing an implementation/restoration plan for a habitat linkage, or generating communications strategy.

Other projects that River Stewards may support during their internship include but aren’t limited to:

• Detailed assessment of restoration project sites River Stewards would assist with rod-and-level surveying and other focused assessment to support engineering design of proposed restoration projects, including culvert right-sizing projects and natural stream channel reconstruction. HVA staff would train them in data collection protocols and use of surveying equipment.
• Terrestrial habitat linkage assessments River Stewards would assess linkages between core forests in areas predicted to be most important for wildlife movement. Assessments use a protocol that HVA developed to evaluate what impedes or facilitates wildlife movement between core forests. HVA and our partners use linkage assessment data to prioritize land protection and stewardship projects.
• Road-stream crossing assessment / Replacement planning River Stewards would visit and assess bridges and culverts—using the North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative protocol—to identify barriers to fish and wildlife passage as well as support the application of this data to town-scale prioritization of culvert right-sizing projects.

Desired Qualifications

The ideal River Steward is detail-oriented, flexible, highly motivated, passionate about watershed conservation, and able to succeed both independently and as part of a team. Candidates who come to HVA with some or all of the following qualifications will be most competitive:

• Enthusiasm for outdoor field work and ability to safely complete tasks under hard environmental conditions (heat, rain, clouds of mosquitos, ticks, rash-inducing and thorny plants, etc.);
• Ease in approaching and interacting with strangers;
• Strong organization and data management skills;
• Experience with field data collection using GPS;
• Experience with data management and analysis using GIS;
• Fluency in Spanish and/or Portuguese languages.

Requirements

• Daily access to a reliable personal vehicle. HVA does not provide vehicles for staff use, but reimburses use of personal vehicles at the Federal Mileage Reimbursement Rate;
• Ability and willingness to work at least one regular weekend day each weekend (including 4th of July weekend) in support of the RIO program;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to represent HVA in a professional manner at all times;
• Physical ability to complete strenuous field work (i.e., physically active labor outside for several hours at a time during the heat of the summer).

Compensation

River Stewards will be paid at a rate of $18/hour. Work-related travel will be compensated at the 2024 Federal rate of $0.67/mile. Housing is not provided. HVA will assist successful applicants in finding summer lodging near the HVA office, if necessary.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates should submit materials listed below—if accessible, in a single PDF file—via email with “2024 River Steward Internship” in the subject line. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

1. COVER LETTER explaining your interest and qualifications
2. RESUME
3. TWO PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES
4. Optional - Examples of past training or work relevant to HVA’s mission and the River Steward position (please limit to 1 page per example and no more than three examples)

Due date: Applications will be reviewed and positions filled on a rolling basis. Applications received before 3/31/2024 will be given preference.

Questions and applications should be directed to:

Rodrigo Pinto Connecticut Watershed Manager Housatonic Valley Association Email: rpinto@hvatoday.org Phone: (860) 672-6678 ext. 112 and Julia Rogers Senior Land Protection Manager Housatonic Valley Association Email: jrogers@hvatoday.org Phone: (717) 881-4518

Who we are

HVA leads conservation action in communities across the tristate Housatonic watershed in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York. We restore and protect the Housatonic River and its tributaries, protect strategically important lands, and take action to help ecosystems and communities adapt to climate change across the watershed and beyond. We do this directly or in collaborations with partner agencies and organizations, community and business leaders, and concerned citizens working for a clean and healthy natural environment. Our overarching goal is to achieve a climate-ready Housatonic Watershed by 2040. In addition to our advocacy, issue response and education programs, two major campaigns toward our 2040 goal are underway: Clean, Cold and Connected, aimed at restoring and protecting local streams and the waters they flow to, including Long Island Sound; and Follow the Forest, aimed at protecting a continuous forest corridor through the Housatonic watershed to connect the Appalachian Highlands of eastern New York with the forests of western Massachusetts and Vermont through to Canada. HVA is committed to being fully representative of the watershed’s people and diverse communities in all our work and across our organization. We strive to make our conservation actions equitable and inclusive by enabling participation by all and increasing our understanding of and responsiveness to environmental inequity. Our team is committed to continuously improving equitable representation across our organization and in our work towards a healthy watershed. Learn more about HVA at hvatoday.org. HVA is an equal opportunity employer. If you have the drive, interest and skills to succeed in this position, tell us about how you can help, and we will consider your application. HVA provides equal employment opportunities to all eligible persons and administers personnel policies and practices in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws. We do not discriminate or abide discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, political belief or affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, legal history, genetic information, mental disability or physical disability. Our commitment to equal opportunity is a guiding principle in all of our employment practices and policies.

The Root Nashville Program Manager reports to the Cumberland River Compact’s Executive Director and works closely with Metro Water Services to manage the Root Nashville campaign operations. This role includes facilitating tree planting on private property; administering small grants to other non-profits that are planting trees on private property; engaging partners, neighborhoods, and supporters; monitoring progress; managing the Root Nashville Program Coordinator; and coordinating between tree recipients and Cumberland River Compact staff.

Schedule

This role is primarily a Monday - Friday office-based position. Some weekend and evening work will be required.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate private property tree plantings (in yards, churches, businesses, and more) for Nashville residents.
• Oversee daily delivery instructions to the Cumberland River Compact field team.
• Play a leadership role in executing the mission of the Root Nashville campaign.
• Manage communications with tree recipients in the community.
• Build and strengthen ongoing relationships with stakeholders, neighborhood and community leaders, and campaign partners.
• Work with Compact leadership and campaign Advisory Board to further the campaign’s outreach goals.
• Develop marketing campaigns and strategies with the Cumberland River Compact’s Communication team.
• Track and log annual metrics and progress toward the goal of 500,000 trees as well as campaign milestones.
• Produce annual reports to be reviewed by the Root Nashville campaign Advisory Board.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of successful management, supervisory, program development, and administrative experience, especially in outcome measurement and analyzing collected data.
• Familiarity with urban tree canopy, urban sustainability, and general environmental issues.
• Experience developing public support and participation from a representative cross-section of residents.
• Excellence in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and G Suite (Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc) and comfortability with multiple platforms including Salesforce.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with stakeholders, including staff, external partners, and community members.
• Must be able to work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance project effectiveness.
• Well-organized, detail-oriented, and resourceful, with the ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks, assignments, and priorities within a fast paced environment.
• Experience and comfort speaking to and educating large groups of people.

Benefits

• Salary: Commensurate with experience. Program Manager positions at the Cumberland River Compact start at $45,000 annually.
• 401K with employer match
• Eleven paid holidays and earned ETO totaling 22 days per year as a combination of sick and paid time off.
• Medical benefits
• Eligible for performance-based bonuses of up to 8%.

Contact Information and Application Instructions

Please email a resume and cover letter to info@cumberlandrivercompact.org. Please do not call regarding this position. The Cumberland River Compact is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that seeks to enhance the health and enjoyment of the Cumberland River and its tributaries through education, collaboration, and action. Root Nashville is a public-private partnership between the Cumberland River Compact and the city of Nashville to plant 500,000 trees in Davidson County by 2050. The campaign aims to increase the county’s tree canopy and create a more equitable distribution of the health and sustainability benefits of trees across all communities in Nashville. Davidson County’s urban tree canopy is a public utility that improves air quality, manages stormwater, supports public health, and improves the quality of life for Nashville residents.

Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) seeks an assistant to work alongside our team to create and execute the Source to Sea Cleanup, our largest event of the year, bringing out thousands of volunteers in our four watershed states – CT, MA, NH & VT. This position involves assisting with all aspects of event production, as detailed below. Access to a vehicle to travel to events is preferred and will be reimbursed at the IRS rate.

Primary Responsibilities

• Attend partner meetings & record meeting notes
• Back-end registration administration via WordPress or similar platform
• Support volunteers via phone and email with group selection and questions
• Pack and ship supplies
• Maintain supply inventory
• Outreach to town/city departments for trash disposal support
• Compile Cleanup photos for website and print publications
• Research new options for plastic recycling, tire disposal
• Electronically input trash data and submit final data to stakeholders
• Conduct outreach and support to youth groups and local organizations
• Support CRC’s Trash Advocacy campaign

Desired Skills

• Experience organizing events
• Excellent written communication skills, particularly writing for marketing and social media
• Comfort and competence using email, Excel spreadsheets, Eventbrite, WordPress and other online tools
• Attention to detail and good organizational skills
• Experience with photography
• Flexible to work remotely and in office environment during 9am-5pm hours
• Ability to work on a team
• Optional: Spanish language fluency

Position highlights

• Work within a dynamic environmental organization that seeks to continue learning and growing.
• Help bring CRC’s river-themed programming to the community and bring the community to our rivers.
• Put your organizing skills and creativity to work.
• Expand and share your knowledge of river issues and how to tackle them.

Date Range: May – October 2024 Deadline to apply: April 1, or until position filled. Please submit your cover and resume on our website: https://www.ctriver.org/source-to-sea-cleanup-assistant-2024/ Feel free to reach out to slennard@ctriver.org with any questions about the position or application.

Potomac Conservancy is hiring a Director, Community & Media Relations to join our growing team. If you love nature and connecting with people who want to make positive difference in our community, Team Potomac is your place. We’re seeking a passionate champion for clean water who enjoys engaging media, the community, and key stakeholders in mission-based work. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in media relations, marketing strategies, and public outreach. Founded in 1993, Potomac Conservancy is a nationally accredited land trust and clean water leader in the Potomac River region. We’re fighting to restore the Potomac to full health for the five million people who depend on the river for drinking water and outdoor enjoyment. Our conservation strategies improve local water quality by strengthening natural defenses against pollution and the impacts of the climate crisis. Our passionate movement of 30,000 supporters empowers us to protect streamside forests, pass water protection laws, and restore shoreline habitat. The Director, Community & Media Relations will be integral to our goals as we embark on an ambitious strategy to restore swimmable and fishable waters to the Potomac River in the next 10 years.

Position Overview

This role offers an exciting leadership opportunity to creatively evolve and expand the organization’s public relations and outreach strategies, building off the organization’s foundation of successful conservation programs, digital content marketing, and fundraising. The position requires a balance of remote and in-person work. This position will report to the Vice President of Communications and will work in close coordination with programmatic staff to elevate Potomac Conservancy’s profile in the Potomac River region and attract new supporters and allies in our clean water efforts.

Key Responsibilities

Media Relations (25%)

• Develop and execute media strategies to promote PC’s clean water experts as local and regional experts in conservation, advocacy, and environmental issues.
• Identify and work with local, regional, and sometimes national media outlets and cultivate relationships with reporters, bloggers, editors, and other media professionals.
• Pitch story ideas, participate in interviews, and craft compelling press materials that achieve media results.
• Regularly evaluate and improve the efficacy of our media strategies.
• Provide light coaching for spokespersons to ensure effective and consistent public messaging.

Community Relations (45%)

• Lead a public outreach strategy to increase our brand visibility and profile in the region. • Connect with community leaders, businesses, and influencers to build relationships and explore co-branded opportunities that can help us reach new audiences and advance our mission
• Oversee a paid marketing and advertising budget.
• Manage key components of our climate awareness work and public clean water campaign.
• Represent the organization at select public events and develop a scalable strategy to increase volunteer presence at community-led activities.
• Coordinate and assist with some community-building events and public awareness activities (e.g., socials, digital expert panel, co-hosting activities with sponsors, etc.).
• Center BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and historically marginalized communities in our work.

Brand (20%)

• Assist the President with public engagement activities and identify new opportunities that increase their profile as a trusted thought leader.
• Provide light coaching for brand ambassadors to ensure cross-organization consistency; expand our ambassador cohort in the out-years.
• Manage branded supplies, create and oversee a new digital store, and secure community sponsors for co-branded materials.

Additional responsibilities (10%)

• Assist with light invoicing and communications-related administrative tasks.
• Participate in group diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) learning and integrated work.

Qualifications

This position uses a variety of skills. We encourage you to apply if you think you would be a great fit, even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in journalism, communications, marketing, and/or public outreach with a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; 5+ years of relevant work experience with no college degree.
• Experience in media relations and press outreach is a must. Stellar verbal and written communications skills; adept at persuasion messaging.
• Excellent people and relationship-building skills; desires in-person interaction.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Brings a creative, goal-oriented mindset.
• Proficiency in assessing market trends and analyzing key performance metrics.
• An ability to get up to speed fast with digital tools we use daily: EveryAction CRM, Microsoft Teams, ClickUp, Canva, Google Drive, Flickr, Miro, etc.
• Commitment to PC’s values and mission.
• Additional skills that will be considered (not required):
  • Volunteer management and/or brand ambassador training;
  • Established relationships with regional reporters, bloggers, and/or influencers a plus.
  • Fundraising, advocacy, conservation, and other related clean water work;
  • Fluency in Spanish or languages;
  • Diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice work or training;

Compensation, Benefits, and Location

• This is a full-time position with a salary range of $60,000-64,000 based on the level of experience and skills you bring.
• Potomac Conservancy’s office is located in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland within a short walking distance of the Silver Spring MARC and Metro stations.
• As a regionally focused organization, we value having staff live locally in our watershed.
• The organization champions a flexible hybrid policy with generous allowances for remote hours. Community-based activities and meetings with partners must be in person as much as possible.
• An annual professional development budget for each employee.
• Flexible work schedule. Hours must be typical office hours, but our organizational culture maintains responsible flexibility for life needs and work-life balance.
• Medical benefits offered with 80 percent of individual premiums covered by the organization.
• Life Insurance paid for by the Conservancy.
• 18 days paid time off and 11 holidays per year. Three additional personal holidays per year.
• Summer Friday afternoons and one week at the end of the year are provided as paid time off.
• Travel reimbursement for work-related trips.
• Working with bright, fun coworkers and interacting with a supportive board of directors.
• 403(b) matching with no vesting period and flex spending accounts.

Desired start date: March/April 2024. The position will remain open until it is filled. To Apply: Email a thoughtful cover letter, resume, and 2-3 relevant writing samples to Melissa Diemand (diemand@potomac.org). Please include “Director, Community & Media Relations” in the subject line. The position will remain open until filled. Applications submitted before February 29, 2024, will be given first consideration. Potomac Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer. We recognize the environmental movement has a history of excluding historically discriminated communities including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), people from working class backgrounds, women, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. We believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do. We encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other communities that have been historically excluded from the environmental movement. Potomac Conservancy staff are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This vaccine requirement applies to all staff working remotely, in a hybrid work arrangement, and on-site. Effective June 2, 2022, new hires will be required to provide proof of full vaccination with a government-approved vaccine as a condition for employment. Requests for reasonable accommodation or exceptions (medical or religious reasons) will be considered. Candidates are NOT required to state their COVID-19 vaccine status in their application.