Southeast Conservation Associate Director

JOB TITLE: Southeast Conservation Associate Director

POSITION CLASSIFICATION:  Associate Director I

SALARY BAND:  Band B

REPORTS TO: Southeast Conservation Director
LOCATION: Tennessee (remote)

About American Rivers

American Rivers is a national conservation organization working to make every river clean and healthy for people and wildlife. We combine evidence-based solutions with enduring partnerships to safeguard the 4.4 million miles of rivers and streams that are essential to our nation’s clean drinking water, extraordinary wildlife, and the strength of our communities. For more than 50 years, our staff, supporters, and partners have been driven by a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers.

The beauty of rivers is that they connect all people and communities – including within our organization. The life experiences, knowledge, innovation, and talent that different people bring 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 SUMMARY

The Associate Director will work as a member of the American Rivers’ Southeast Region leading river restoration and dam removal work in the Tennessee River basin. This position will build and manage a portfolio of dam removal projects in the Upper Tennessee River basin, lead the Tennessee Aquatic Connectivity Team, and cultivate strong relationships with community, agency, Tribal, nonprofit, and funding partners, and help build the policy and funding infrastructure needed to advance river restoration. The Associate Director has responsibility for supporting project and programmatic fundraising in collaboration with other staff across the organization.

PRINCIPAL 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.

 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 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.

LOCATION

Remote in Tennessee.

COMPENSATION 
American Rivers offers competitive compensation that reflects the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. The salary range for this position is $61,800 to 75,600 annually, depending on experience and qualifications. We provide a comprehensive Total Rewards package to our full-time, regular employees, including:

•  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.

At American Rivers, we are committed to supporting our employees’ well-being, professional growth, and financial security, ensuring they can thrive both at work and in life.

COMMUNITY AND OPPORTUNITY

• At American Rivers, our core values drive everything we do – we Lead with Collaboration and Trust, Infuse Equity and Justice, Deliver Results, and Ensure Staff and Volunteers Thrive. We are committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to make a difference.

 

• Our culture prioritizes work-life thriving through Focus Fridays (no internal meetings), professional development opportunities, a home office stipend and our comprehensive leave policies, including sabbatical leave (every seven years) and paid parental leave (six weeks w/ one year of service).

 

• We also ensure leadership stays connected to staff needs through an internal advisory group, fostering open communication and continuous improvement.

 

• At American Rivers, our people are our strength, and we are dedicated to building a thriving, inclusive workplace where everyone can grow and contribute to our mission.

American Rivers is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request reasonable accommodation, please contact the Human Resources department at 202-243-7040 or recruitment@americanrivers.org. Please note that one week’s advance notice is preferred.

Applicant must be legally allowed to work as an employee in the United States. American Rivers is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Candidates of all personal and professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply.