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Associate Director, Northwest Hydropower Reform
American Rivers
USD 65k-71k / year
Posted on Aug 23, 2025
JOB TITLE: Associate Director, NW Hydropower Reform
POSITION CLASSIFACTION: Associate Director I
SALARY BAND: B
REPORTS TO: Director, Hydropower Reform Program (direct report)/Pacific Northwest Regional Director (dotted-line report)
LOCATION: Oregon or Washington
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.
About the Hydropower Reform Coalition
The Hydropower Reform Coalition (HRC) is an association of over 160 national, regional, and local conservation and recreation organizations dedicated to protecting and restoring rivers affected by hydropower dams, ensuring public access to these lands and waters, and reforming the federal licensing process to ensure public participation and to improve the quality of the resulting decisions. The Coalition’s combined membership represents more than 1.5 million people across the country. Working together, the Coalition has protected or restored thousands of river miles, thousands of acres of watershed land, and countless opportunities for boating, fishing, and other recreational experiences. Visit hydroreform.org for more information.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Associate Director, Hydropower Reform is a newly created, shared position consisting of 50% Northwest Region hydropower reform work and 50% Hydropower Reform Coalition work. This position will support healthy rivers through engaging in hydropower licensing and relicensing efforts in the Pacific Northwest Region (Oregon, Washington, Alaska) in addition to supporting a strong and effective Hydropower Reform Coalition, which is housed administratively within American Rivers.
The Associate Director’s responsibilities and tasks will include coordination with local, state, federal, and Tribal partners to engage in the renewal of operating licenses for hydropower projects throughout the Pacific Northwest. This work includes attending and actively engaging in meetings, reviewing proposed operations and best available science, identifying information needs and mitigation strategies, tracking projects, and drafting comments to advocate for healthy rivers that balance socio-cultural considerations.
The position is also the hub and administrative heart of the Hydropower Reform Coalition and is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with members and providing administrative support to the steering committee and the Hydropower Reform Coalition’s regional caucuses, conducting outreach to potential new members, and connecting individuals, organizations, and Tribes in need of support to appropriate resources to aid them in engaging in the hydropower licensing process. This position is responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of the coalition and advancing the mission.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Build expertise in the federal hydropower licensing process and share that expertise with American Rivers’ staff, the Hydropower Reform Coalition, Indigenous partners, and others that need support participating in hydropower licensings.
- Serve as the hub for Hydropower Reform Coalition’s regional caucuses and maintain strong relationships with member groups providing support including policy analysis, coordination of joint comments and letters, trainings, etc.
- Develop and equip Hydropower Reform Coalition members and partners with tools to help them participate in hydropower licensing.
- Communicate policy positions and project successes and failures to the general public, media, and existing and potential funders, including writing articles for the website, supporting social media posts, giving interviews, etc.
- Manage Hydropower Reform Coalition’s website and social media account.
- Collaborate with American Rivers and Hydropower Reform Coalition staff to manage and coordinate grant writing, fundraising, and report writing.
- Collaborate with American Rivers and Hydropower Reform Coalition staff to manage the budgeting and equitable distribution of large grants and funds.
- Work with Hydropower Reform Coalition staff to plan and organize annual Coalition meetings and quarterly trainings.
- Provide policy and administrative support to HRC Chairs and government relations team; coordinate HRC members’ response to federal laws and policies related to hydropower.
- Travel to Coalition meetings, meet with individual Coalition members, and attend relevant meetings and conferences, as necessary.
- Work with federal, state, and Tribal natural resource agencies in the Northwest to promote effective implementation of existing laws and policies and restoration of rivers affected by hydropower development.
- Analyze and evaluate state and regional legislation, regulations, and policies that impact hydropower in the Northwest.
- Be an active teammate with the AR Hydropower Community of Practice, Conservation team, and the NW Regional team, engaging in team meetings, collaborating with colleagues on project ideas and approaches, and participating in team retreats and other related activities.
- Support organizational strategies and planning efforts to support American Rivers’ Strategic Plan
- Work with AR’s NW communications director to produce materials for articles for technical and general audiences, press releases, and other communications and media pieces.
- Travel to hydropower licensing meetings.
- Other duties as assigned by the Director of Hydropower Reform and the Northwest Regional Director.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum of three years of professional experience in natural resource policy or conservation. Education may substitute for experience.
- Familiarity and experience with Northwest rivers preferred.
- Strong commitment to weaving equity and inclusion into the work of the job.
- Experience working with indigenous communities preferred.
- Superior interpersonal skills and ability to work constructively across organizations and partnerships.
- Ability to work with (or willingness to learn) a variety of platforms including Google Suite, MS Office Suite, Slack, MailChimp, WordPress, etc.
- Familiarity with the Federal Power Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and National Environmental Policy Act.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills required.
- Experience with media relations, public outreach, coalition building, or cross-cultural organizing are desirable.
- Strategic, innovative thinker; highly organized and able to meet deadlines independently.
- Willingness to travel as necessary and hold a valid US driver’s license.
- Willingness to learn a complex field and help others do the same.
- Passion for protecting and restoring rivers and their watersheds!
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 within Oregon or Washington
COMPENSATION
American Rivers offers marketable compensation that reflects the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. The salary range for this position is $65,000 - $71,000, 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.