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Northern Rockies Conservation Director
American Rivers
Bozeman, MT, USA
USD 85k-95k / year
Posted on Jul 10, 2025
TITLE: Northern Rockies Conservation Director
CLASSIFICATION: Director I or Director II
DEPARTMENT: Conservation
WAGE CATEGORY: Exempt
REPORTS TO: Northern Rockies Regional Director
LOCATION: Bozeman office or home office in MT, ID or WY
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℠. American Rivers centers the ongoing work of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in all that we do. 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 SUMMARY
The Northern Rockies Conservation Director works closely with the Northern Rockies Regional Director to lead our river conservation efforts in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. The Conservation Director will supervise staff, interns, and volunteers; build and maintain relationships with other conservation groups, key elected officials, and agency staff; interface with the media; conduct grassroots and grass tops outreach; and assist in raising funds from foundations, individual donors, and government sources. They will lead the Northern Rockies office’s engagement in Montanans for Healthy Rivers, a coalition seeking to win new Wild and Scenic River designations in southwest Montana. The Conservation Director also will lead our team’s engagement in public lands management plans and place-based collaboratives; respond to threats to high-value rivers; and assist in other projects and campaigns. In addition to being a senior member of the Northern Rockies team, the Conservation Director will also work with American Rivers staff based in other regional offices, participate on internal teams including our River Protection Team and Floodplain Restoration Team, and engage with our communications and government relations teams.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Serve as the Northern Rockies team’s lead staff on ongoing river protection campaigns, including our longstanding campaign to protect new Wild and Scenic Rivers in southwest Montana in coalition with Montanans for Healthy Rivers.
• Lead our efforts to win long-term administrative protections for rivers flowing across public lands by engaging in land management plan revisions and comprehensive river management plans.
• Represent our Northern Rockies office in place-based conservation collaboratives that align with our river protection goals.
• Assist the Northern Rockies Regional Director in identifying promising new river protection, river restoration, and clean water campaigns in the region.
• Work with our Floodplain Restoration Team to identify policies and strategies for reconnecting floodplains in the Northern Rockies region.
• Develop and implement media strategies to build popular and political support for our river protection and restoration efforts.
• Represent American Rivers at meetings, conferences, donor events, public events, and in the media.
• Assist in mentoring and supervising other members of the Northern Rockies team including associates, fellows, interns and volunteers.
• Assist in writing grant proposals and reports.
• Help steward and expand our network of business and conservation partners.
• Collaborate with American Rivers staff in other field offices and national programs.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, fish and wildlife biology, hydrology, environmental studies, political science, or related field; master’s degree preferred.
• 7+years of experience working in an advocacy role in the natural resources field, or equivalent experience.
• Solid working knowledge of bedrock environmental laws including the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and Endangered Species Act.
• Knowledgeable about river ecology, fish and wildlife biology, and other natural and physical sciences related to river conservation.
• Demonstrated passion for protecting and enjoying rivers.
• Excellent writing and public speaking skills.
• Proven experience generating earned media and utilizing paid media.
• Solid understanding of the culture and customs of the Northern Rockies region. • Highly organized and able to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with limited direct supervision.
• Stellar team player who supports and inspires others.
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Willingness to travel and occasionally work irregular hours including evenings and weekends.
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
Bozeman office or home office in MT, ID or WY
COMPENSATION
American Rivers offers marketable compensation that reflects the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. The salary range for this position is $$85,000-$95,000 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 employee’s 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.