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Associate Director, River Restoration
American Rivers
Portland, OR, USA
Posted on Mar 6, 2025
TITLE: Associate Director, River Restoration
CLASSIFICATION: Associate Director I
WAGE CATEGORY: Full-time, Exempt
REPORTS TO: NW Regional Director
LOCATION: Portland, Oregon or Seattle metro areas considered. The work of this role may be conducted remotely with full access to the needed operating systems and technology. There are times that the work will need to be conducted in-person in Washington and Oregon, with travel estimated 3-5 days per month. Other occasional regional and national travel to meetings and training may be required.
ABOUT AMERICAN RIVERS
American Rivers is championing a national effort to protect and restore all rivers, from remote mountain streams to urban waterways. Healthy rivers provide people and nature with clean, abundant water and natural habitat. For 50 years, American Rivers staff, supporters, and partners have shared 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 of River Restoration works to advance floodplain restoration and integrated floodplain management projects in Washington and Oregon. We are looking for candidates that will work with land managers, State and Federal agencies, other NGOs, and Tribal Nations to generate and manage floodplain restoration projects near Seattle, in the Chehalis Basin of SW Washington, and other priority locations while balancing ecological, social, and cultural values.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
• Identify, prioritize, develop, and manage floodplain restoration projects in Washington and Oregon.
• Manage funding proposals and project budgets. Prepare contract documents and manage contracts.
• Work with relevant staff and partners to identify, pursue, and acquire public and private funding.
• Build and maintain relationships with key partners and funders. Proactively identify and pursue opportunities to build new relationships to promote river restoration efforts in alignment with AR’s strategic plan goals.
• Advocate for and incorporate the perspectives and solutions presented by impacted communities and Tribal Nations into regional strategies and project plans.
• Work with the Restoration Program and the NW Regional Director to update and
implement our regional capacity-building plans for river restoration in Oregon and Washington.
• Effectively communicate integrated floodplain management approaches and benefits to a wide array of audiences including Tribes, scientists, community-based organizations, landowners, and the public, using a variety of mediums, including but not limited to public and professional conference presentations. Represent American Rivers at conferences and other events.
• Be an active teammate with the American Rivers’ Northwest Region Team and the National Floodplain Community of Practice, engaging in team meetings, collaborating with colleagues on project ideas and approaches, and developing, refining, and implementing effective restoration strategies.
• Work will involve travel in Washington and Oregon for partnership meetings, site visits, etc., as well as traveling nationally for conferences, trainings, and retreats as needed.
• Some aspects of the job description may be tailored to fit the specific skills and interests of our selected applicant and may include other duties as needed.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Understanding of Northwest rivers and riverscape restoration.
No less than 5 years of experience working in fields of natural resource management or ecosystem restoration, with an understanding of relevant state and/or federal policy preferred.
•Demonstrated ability in the evaluation of tradeoffs to identify and prioritize multi-benefit river restoration projects, including ecological, social, and cultural values.
•Experience developing funding applications and managing grant awards preferred.
•A team player with strong interpersonal and leadership skills, as well as the ability to work well with a diverse range of people. Experience working with impacted communities, stakeholders, and Tribal nations preferred.
•Strong project and contract management organizational skills, with demonstrated experience meeting project deadlines by effectively managing teams and developing/managing project scope, schedule, and budgets.
•Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking, effective communication, and the ability to facilitate partners and agency representatives in decision-making, consensus-building, and collaboration.
•Demonstrated strength in critical thinking, problem-solving, judgment, and dependability.
•Ability to work with teams via phone and video conference.
•Ability to travel by personal car throughout Washington and Oregon.
COMPENSATION
The anticipated salary range for this position is $70,956-77,406, depending on experience and qualifications. Full-time and full-time equivalent employee benefits include health, dental and life insurance, short and long-term disability plans, a retirement plan, and generous leave time. American Rivers offers flextime and telecommuting options to maximize work-life balance.
COMMUNITY AND OPPORTUNITY
Our community’s core values motivate us to Lead with Collaboration, Equity and Trust, Deliver Results, and Ensure Staff and Volunteers Thrive. American Rivers offers staff professional development and training opportunities, engages in equitable hiring and retention practices, participates in transparency reports, provides “no meetings” weeks, Summer Fridays, and hosts Accessibility, Leadership, Parents and Caregivers, and affinity groups and committees led by staff and board members.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Apply through BambooHR. Please include a Cover Letter with your submission.
American Rivers is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.