Scope of Position

The Executive Director of the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) provides strategic and operational leadership for one of the nation’s leading freshwater research and education centers. Reporting to the President of Lewis and Clark Community College, this role is responsible for setting NGRREC’s strategic direction, advancing interdisciplinary research, and promoting watershed literacy and community engagement. The Executive Director oversees core programs in our research, education and outreach pillars—including the Great Lakes to Gulf Virtual Observatory, the Wetlands Collaborative, the Freshwater Policy Institute and the Freshwater Contaminants Collaborative—ensuring scientific excellence and practical application of research findings. Key responsibilities include strengthening fiscal stability through diversified funding sources, fostering partnerships with public and private entities, and aligning NGRREC’s initiatives with Lewis and Clark Community College’s values of student success, equity, innovation, sustainability, and community partnership.

Key Measurable Expectations (KMEs)

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement NGRREC’s strategic plan in alignment with Lewis and Clark Community College’s mission and values.
• Provide leadership for interdisciplinary research, education and outreach initiatives related to river ecology, watershed dynamics, freshwater policy and environmental stewardship and education.
• Shape and execute a bold vision for NGRREC’s future.
• Lead long-range planning, program development, and strategic partnerships across academia, government, and nonprofit sectors.
• Advance NGRREC’s national reputation in freshwater science, watershed literacy, and conservation policy.

Research

• Oversee scientific research initiatives focused on river ecology, watershed dynamics, land conservation, and emerging environmental challenges.
• Foster interdisciplinary collaboration and secure external funding through grants, contracts, and philanthropic support.
• Translate research into actionable insights for policy makers, landowners, educators and community stakeholders.

Education

• Guide the development of K–12, adult, and professional education programs that promote watershed literacy and environmental stewardship.
• Support public engagement through community science and public outreach events like the STREAM Series.
• Ensure alignment with Illinois Learning Standards and national environmental education guidelines.

Outreach

• Guide NGRREC’s successful outreach programs that provide technical assistance within federal and state conservation programs for private landowners.
• Continue supervision and secure funding for outreach programs that fund NGRREC’s Land Conservation Program and Habitat Strike Team.
• Continue to integrate and further develop the Restoration Ecology Program at LCCC with NGRREC’s Land Conservation Program and Habitat Strike Team.

External Relations & Advocacy

• Serve as the public face of NGRREC, representing the center in regional, national, and international forums.
• Cultivate and foster relationships with academic institutions, elected officials, government and regulatory agencies, and conservation organizations to advocate for sustainable river management.
• Promote NGRREC’s work through compelling storytelling, media engagement, and strategic communications.

Operational Excellence

• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team of scientists, educators, and support staff.
• Manage budgets, facilities (including the LEED-certified Jerry F. Costello Confluence Field Station), and compliance with institutional and regulatory standards.
• Implement adaptive management practices and continuous improvement strategies.
• Develop NGRREC revenue streams connecting academic and credentialing pathways at Lewis and Clark.

Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

• Advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred) in environmental science, ecology, hydrology, or a related field.
• Proven leadership experience in research institutions, environmental nonprofits, or higher education.
• Strong track record in grant writing, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to inspire diverse audiences and build consensus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep understanding of river systems and watershed science.
• Commitment to equity, access, and community-based science.
• Visionary thinker with pragmatic execution skills—able to balance innovation with operational rigor.

Position Overview

Lewis and Clark Community College invites visionary, collaborative, and mission-driven leaders to apply for the role of Executive Director of the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC). This role offers a unique opportunity to lead one of the nation’s premier freshwater research, education and outreach centers, advancing science, stewardship, and community engagement along the Mississippi River and throughout its basin.

Candidate Profile

Lewis and Clark Community College invites visionary, collaborative, and mission-driven leaders to apply for the role of Executive Director of the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC). This role offers a unique opportunity to lead one of the nation’s premier freshwater research and education centers, advancing science, stewardship, and community engagement along the Mississippi River and its tributaries.

Reporting directly to the President of Lewis and Clark Community College, the Executive Director will shape NGRREC’s strategic direction, foster interdisciplinary research, and champion watershed literacy across diverse audiences. The ideal candidate will bring a bold vision, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to the values that define Lewis and Clark Community College: student success, equity, innovation, sustainability, and community partnership. A critical part of the role is to strengthen the fiscal stability and diversity of NGRREC funding with both private and public support.

The Executive Director of NGRREC will provide strategic and operational leadership across NGRREC’s core research, education and outreach pillars, which include the following emphasis areas with additional information available on NGRREC’s web site at www.ngrrec.org :

• The Great Lakes to Gulf (GLTG) Virtual Observatory-a partnership between NGRREC and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) at the University of Illinois, GLTG is an interactive website that provides user-friendly visualization of water quality and land use in the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin, drawing data from over 1,300 sensor sites and processing 44 million data points.
• The Wetlands Collaborative-a collective effort between NGRREC scientists, educators and external partners that is focused on evaluating wetland health and sustainability across Illinois and the Mississippi River Basin.  This effort focuses on evaluating and mapping wetland location, health and sustainability, research on multiple taxa including threatened and endangered species, and contributing science to support the development of state level wetland policy.
• The Freshwater Policy Institute-a developing initiative that focuses on fostering and promoting specific, proactive, and achievable public policies to address the critical issues related to freshwater and freshwater infrastructure in Illinois, the Mississippi River Basin and across the United States.
• The Freshwater Contaminants Collaborative-a multidisciplinary, multi-agency effort to identify freshwater contaminants of concern, and to conduct and facilitate research on freshwater contaminants across the Mississippi River Basin and to disseminate those data to scientists, managers and policymakers.

These highlighted programs exemplify NGRREC’s commitment to translating science into practice and policy, engaging communities in environmental stewardship, and shaping policy through evidence-based research.

About Lewis and Clark Community College

Lewis and Clark is a student-focused institution that empowers people by raising aspirations and fostering achievement through dynamic, compassionate, and responsible learning experiences. The college is deeply committed to improving the quality of life and prosperity of the communities it serves. Its mission is reflected in every initiative—from preparing students for transfer and workforce success to advancing lifelong learning and regional vitality through education, research, and civic engagement. 

About NGRREC

Founded in 2002, NGRREC is a collaborative initiative of Lewis and Clark Community College, the University of Illinois, and the Illinois Natural History Survey. Headquartered at the LEED-certified Jerry F. Costello Confluence Field Station, NGRREC conducts cutting-edge research on large river systems, delivers transformative education programs, and engages communities in conservation and policy dialogue.

Additional Information

 In this grant funded position, Team Members can expect to be paid a salary between $103,413 to $175,802 alongside an excellent benefits package. The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.
 
 Lewis & Clark Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Affirmative Action Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, LCCC will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.  It is also the policy of the College to prohibit and form of harassment based on an individual’s protected status, such as gender, color, race, ancestry, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, citizenship status, sexual orientation or other protected group status as defined by law. If interested, please contact the Human Resource Department, Erickson Hall – Room 107.