Location: Williamsburg, VA
Telework: 75% office-based (Williamsburg or home office), 25% field-based.
Experience:  Mid-Senior
Number of Openings: 1
Job Status: Exempt
Salary Range: $60,000 to $70,000
Reports to: VP of Programs

The James River Association(JRA) is a non-profit organization on a mission to protect the James River and connect people to it. JRA is excited to announce an opening for an Assistant Director of Coastal Restoration.  In this role, you will: 1) serve as coordinator and convener for the Living Shoreline Collaborative (LSC), a group of regional and state partners working together to scale up implementation of resilient practices along shorelines in the tidal James River watershed, 2) provide oversight for restoration staff that manage green infrastructure projects such as those installed through the Living Shoreline Cost-Share Program, which assists landowners to install living shorelines on their property, and 3) help guide the vision of JRA’s role in resiliency efforts in the Lower James watershed. For more information about JRA’s Living Shoreline Collaborative and Cost Share Program visit https://www.jamesrivershorelines.org/

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the convener for the LSC which includes administrative tasks associated with coordinating partners; managing grant subawards and deliverables; holding field visits; capacity building workshops for localities, designers, and contractors; partner meetings; and Annual Living Shoreline Summits that bring regional partners together for training and knowledge-sharing.
• Lead the vision for JRA’s coastal restoration efforts in the Lower James River watershed including annual work plans, long term strategy, tracking progress, and identifying funding and partnership opportunities.
• Manage JRA team members, including JRA’s Sr. Coastal Restoration Manager who is also based out of JRA’s Williamsburg office, and oversees the hiring of new staff for the Coastal Restoration team. Works closely with other JRA team members which work out of JRA’s other office locations.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, watershed conservation groups, academic institutions, local governments, and other regional partners.
• Lead the Coastal Restoration team in pursuing grant applications, developing grant reports, and managing the program budget. Oversee implementation of several multiyear grants totaling over $1M in program expenses for restoration projects and LSC initiatives.
• Direct outreach efforts in the Lower James to identify restoration project sites, foster partnerships with local communities, and recruit volunteers for the Marsh Stewards program. Assist with living shoreline plantings, tree plantings, and other restoration events in the Lower James watershed.
• Act as a spokesperson for JRA at public speaking engagements, in media releases, and at program events/meetings.
• Participate in regional stakeholder meetings around resiliency and nature-based strategies in the Lower James region.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in a related science, natural resource-related field, or over 5 years of equivalent experience.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, budgets, staff, and meet deadlines.
• A successful candidate is someone who is willing to spend time both in the office to coordinate partners and handle reporting, as well as in the field to visit sites and oversee installation of living shoreline projects.

Requirements:

• Comfort and flexibility in working with a variety of people, including urban and rural populations, local governments, citizens, volunteers, and other conservation groups.
• Familiarity with principles of watershed management, sea level rise, stormwater, and water quality issues, particularly related to the James River.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills and ability to work independently in a deadline-driven environment.
• A valid driver’s license and the ability to travel throughout the James River watershed, particularly within the Lower James region.
• Computer skills, particularly in word processing and record-keeping (Microsoft Word and Excel), and familiarity with internet communication and search tools, GIS

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Familiarity with the permitting process for living shoreline projects.
• Experience in grant writing and project management.
• Comfortable being a spokesperson for JRA.

Competitive Salary & Benefits Package includes fully paid employee-only health and dental coverage, Life and LTD insurance, generous paid time off (starting at four weeks/year), twelve paid holidays, and 401(k) matched contributions! Professional development and growth opportunities. Work-life balance and dynamic, hybrid/flexible work environment. The exempt salary range for this full-time position is $60,000 to $70,000 annually, depending upon several factors including education and work experience.