Associate Director, California Central Valley River Restoration

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, California Central Valley River Restoration, will help American Rivers develop and implement projects to protect and restore critical rivers and floodplains in California.

The Associate Director will be part of the Central Valley Program. The Central Valley Program is one of three programs (along with Dam Removal and Headwaters) within American Rivers’ robust California Region. The Central Valley Program team works to expand floodways and restore floodplains to protect and restore habitat for native species, increase community resilience to flooding and drought from climate change, and improve water quality and access to rivers for local communities. The Central Valley Program team works to protect and restore all rivers in California and primarily works in the river basins of the Central Valley, including the Sacramento River Basin, San Joaquin River Basin, and the San Francisco Bay-Delta. 

We are seeking a team member to develop and manage on-the-ground restoration projects from conception to implementation—including securing funding; managing contracts; managing budgets and schedules for public and private grants; conducting community outreach, and coordinating with multiple agencies, partners, and consultants.
 
The Associate Director will support the general activities of the Central Valley Program while focusing their project management efforts in the Sacramento, Stockton, and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta areas. Candidates located within or proximate to these geographies will be given preference.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with the Central Valley Program team to develop and implement multi-benefit strategies for restoring floodplains at scale, prioritizing areas that improve nature access and reduce flood impacts for vulnerable communities;
• Manage funding, planning, and implementation of multi-benefit river restoration projects in California, including community outreach, partner engagement, environmental assessments, project design, monitoring, budgeting, contracting, permitting, invoice tracking, soliciting bids, and project construction oversight;
• Manage and ensure compliance with grant agreements, contracts, and subcontracts, and develop and track contracts, scopes of work, deliverables, timelines, and reports;
• Help develop solutions to technical, legal, and political challenges of planning and implementing restoration projects throughout California;
• Conduct community outreach to solicit feedback and engage diverse partners to plan and implement river restoration projects and programs;
• Participate and represent American Rivers in regional collaborative efforts;
• Work with American Rivers’ Central Valley Program and national staff to support exchange of knowledge and experience on multi-benefit floodplain restoration across regions within American Rivers;
• Identify sources and work with the Central Valley Program to develop fundraising proposals and grant applications for identified projects;
• Draft comments and advocacy letters to shape river and water management projects, programs, and policies;
• Represent American Rivers in public planning forums as appropriate; and
• Potentially apply expertise (fish or aquatic ecology, geomorphology, engineering, water quality, community organizing, etc.) for river restoration planning and monitoring in the field and in quantitative analysis.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in project management, including overseeing consultant teams;
• Experience leading watershed management or river/creek restoration or similar projects and/or programs;
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice;
• Demonstrated understanding of California water policy with a focus on flood management, hydrology/hydraulics, and/or river restoration preferred;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, a good sense of humor, and an ability to work effectively with a diverse range of people;
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated experience meeting project deadlines;
• Ability to manage budgets and project tasks in Excel spreadsheets
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and the ability to effectively communicate with partners and agency representatives;
• Initiative, coupled with creative and strategic thinking;
• Experience in community engagement, particularly with disadvantaged and underrepresented communities;
• Willingness to travel as needed to Sacramento and/or other parts of the Central Valley and throughout California for project site visits, partner meetings, etc.;
• Experience with fundraising and/or grant writing;
• Appropriate combination of education and/or at least 5 years of relevant experience or graduate degree in a relevant field and/or at least 2 years of relevant experience; and
• Personal commitment to American Rivers’ mission.
  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 San Francisco Bay Area or Central Valley (in or near Sacramento or Stockton preferred).

COMPENSATION 
American Rivers offers marketable compensation that reflects the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. The salary range for this position is $70,304 to $89,400, 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.