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Associate Director, River Restoration
American Rivers
United States
USD 61,071-76,365 / year
Posted on Aug 23, 2025
TITLE: Associate Director, River Restoration
CLASSIFICATION: Associate Director II
WAGE CATEGORY: Band A
DEPARTMENT: Conservation
REPORTS TO: Michael Sertle, Central Region Senior Director
LOCATION: Central Region; remote working location within Missouri or Iowa
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 will lead American Rivers’ efforts to grow the practice of dam removal in Missouri and Iowa as a tool for river restoration, aquatic connectivity, and public safety. They will be American Rivers’ primary Central Region staff member in Missouri and Iowa focused upon: building successful aquatic connectivity programs and partnerships, developing/implementing on-the-ground projects focused on increasing free-flowing river miles, and helping identify federal and state policy needs to advance aquatic connectivity. The successful candidate must demonstrate an ability to communicate technical information and concepts to non-expert audiences, aiming to enhance understanding, engagement, and informed decision-making.
This person will have the desire to grow in this position, gain expertise in dam removal, and the initiative to cultivate additional dam removal projects. This includes leading an effort to strategically build regional capacity to remove dams with nonprofit, municipal, state, federal, and Tribal partners. They will be responsible for Iowa and Missouri’s long-term contribution to helping put American Rivers and our partners on a trajectory toward removing 30,000 dams nationally by 2050.
The position will report to American Rivers’ Central Region while being an active participant within American Rivers’ Dam Removal Community of Practice, our collaboration of staff across the country working to scale dam removal.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Contributes to organizational and regional priorities as a member of the Central Region
- Works to increase the number of dam removal projects in Missouri and Iowa by identifying and developing new projects, as well as managing, and providing technical assistance to, projects. Leads American Rivers’ engagement with the Missouri Stream Connectivity & Management Partnership, and strengthen/develop similar partnerships in Iowa
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- Provides assistance to key partners to assist them in completing high priority projects
- Develops and implements a strategy to foster new project managers in partner organizations, identify and increase funding sources, and enhance incentives for dam owners to remove dams
- Identifies, tracks, and collaboratively pursues funding sources for dam removal projects
- Collaborates with the National Dam Removal Program to grow the number of partners working on projects through trainings and other convenings
- Executes contracts, requests expenditures, processes invoices, and administers grants
- Assists in the selection and management of consultants, and coordination of partners engaged in restoration projects
- Manages time and expenses
- 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
- Leads community engagement, as appropriate, with racially, culturally, and economically diverse individuals and communities in equitable and meaningful ways
- Supports federal and state policy actions to further American Rivers’ aquatic connectivity goals
- Responsible for supporting project and programmatic fundraising in collaboration with other staff across the organization
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- No less than 5 years of applicable professional experience in the conservation field, related to river restoration, aquatic connectivity, dam removal, fisheries habitat, geomorphology, hydrology and/or engineering
- Understanding of effective river restoration approaches, including demonstrated interest in advancing the practice of dam removal
- Prior experience in securing funding from government grants, foundations, and/or major donors to complete projects and sustain programs
- Demonstrated experience and strength in the following areas: project management, verbal
and written communications, critical thinking, and the ability to work independently while managing multiple projects and priorities - 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 - Excellent personal organization and time management skills
- Ability to travel as needed, sometimes overnight, is required
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
This position is located within American Rivers’ 10-state “Central Region”, focused on the watersheds of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. The successful candidate must be able to work from a home office located within either Iowa or Missouri; consideration may be given for the final selected candidate if they reside within 50 miles of their state borders.
COMPENSATION
American Rivers offers marketable compensation that reflects the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. The salary range for this position is $61,071-76,365, 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.