Associate DirectorDirector Northern Sierra Headwaters Conservation

TITLE: Associate Director/Director Northern Sierra HeadwatersConservation
CLASSIFICATION: Associate Director/Director I
WAGE CATERGORY: Exempt

DEPARTMENT:Conservation
REPORTS TO: Matt Freitas Program Director California Headwaters Conservation
LOCATION: Nevada City CA or home office within 4hour drive from
Nevada City CA (strong preference to be in the northern Sierra

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:

This position will help American Rivers develop and implement innovative and inspiring projectsand programs that protect and restore source watersheds in the northern Sierra Nevada toincrease climate and water supply resilience support natural biodiversity and benefit local anddownstream communities. The position will join a team that works at multiple levels to achievetangible results and scale impact. Our approach is to implement ontheground projects thatcatalyze partnerships and policies to achieve river conservation at the regional and statewidescales.

The position will lead the Northern Sierra subprogram area of the California Headwaters Conservation Program including strategic planning budgeting and fundraising for subprogram success. The position will develop and oversee a range of headwaters projects including restoring mountain meadows and streams improving forest health and roads to protect rivers and other conservation efforts in the California Region. The position will also colead and engage in watershed and regionalscale collaboratives including the Eagle Lake Partnership a new collaborative focused on watershed and forest restoration in Lassen National Forest and the Sierra Meadows Partnership which American Rivers cofounded. We are seeking a team member who can develop and lead ontheground restoration projects from conception to implementation including securing funding and permits managing budgets and schedules forstate and federal grants coordinating with multiple agencies partners and consultants andconducting appropriate project monitoring. We are also seeking someone who can help launchand lead a watershedscale collaborative including authentically incorporating stakeholder andtribal participation. The position will also contribute to fundraising strategic planningcommunications and other internal needs of the region

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead the Northern Sierra subprogram and be responsible for the subprogramssuccess including budgeting fundraising and ensuring the subprograms worksupports the program and American Rivers overall goals and objectives.
Collaborate with state and federal agencies Native American tribes and tribalorganizations nonprofit partners and private interests to accelerate restoration andimprove watershed management policies and practices in California. Specifically colead the Eagle Lake Partnership a watershedscale collaborative of diversestakeholders working to advance restoration in the Pine Creek/Eagle Lakewatershed.
Independently manage river and floodplain restoration projects. This will includemanaging subcontractors and project budgets coordinating partners reporting toagencies and funders developing restoration designs with subcontractorscompleting permits overseeing construction leading outreach activities andidentifying opportunities to scale successes.
Identify new and develop restoration projects that build capacity accelerateprogress engage new partners and expand the impact of the river conservationfield.
Monitor project outcomes. Develop appropriate monitoring plans and collect andanalyze data on restoration project performance in conjunction with monitoringspecialists.
Communicate successes and lessons learned to diverse audiences including stateand federal decisionmakers corporate and foundation funders communitymembers and others.
Contribute to project and program development. Support the development andwriting of proposals for existing projects and programs as well as new innovative andcatalytic projects and programs.
Participate in California and headwaters program strategic planning Strive toimprove the existing programs and identify new opportunities.
Conduct outreach activities and help develop media that builds awareness aboutAmerican Rivers and the value of healthy rivers to communities funders anddecision makers.
Represent American Rivers at conferences press events and other public events.
May include managing junior staff associated with the Northern Sierra subprogramin the longer term

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience leading and managing a watershedfocused program or subprogramincluding budget management staff management developing strategy fundraisingand external communications. Specifically experience with fundraising forrestoration and watershed stewardship.
Experience in project management including coordinating multiple partners grantbudget management contracting and overseeing consultant teams.
Experience leading watershed management river/creek restoration and/or similarprojects/programs.
Experience leading largescale stakeholder collaboratives and specifically engaginglocal tribes and working with diverse state and federal agency partners/stakeholders.
Knowledge/understanding of watershed processes and California water resourceissues.
Innovative thinker with excellent organization skills and demonstrated experiencemeeting deadlines setting priorities and working in a selfdirected manner in a fastpaced environment.
Ability to develop partnerships proposals budgets and strategies that willaccelerate river restoration and conservation in California.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills including public speaking and theability to effectively communicate with teammates partners and agencyrepresentatives.
Demonstrated strength in critical thinking judgment and dependability.
Willingness to travel frequently to project locations within the Sierra Nevada andparticipate in fieldwork in remote settings.
An advanced degree in a related field with a minimum of 5 years of relevantexperience or an appropriate combination of education and experience with at least7 years of relevant experience.
Personal commitment to American Rivers mission.
Knowledge of river/meadow ecology (or related) Geographic Information Systems(GIS) California plants and wildlife species a plus.
Experience with fuel reduction/prescribed burning and forest road improvementprojects a plus.
Knowledge and experience with environmental compliance for California stream andforest restoration projects a plus.
Experience securing state and federal grants

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

Nevada City CA or home office within 4hour drive from Nevada City CA (strong preference
to be in the northern Sierra)

COMPENSATION

American Rivers offers marketable compensation that reflects the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. The salary range for this position is $78656$93445 annually depending on experience and qualifications.

We provide a comprehensive Total Rewards package to our fulltime regular employees including:

Health and Wellness:Medical dental vision longterm and shortterm 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 employees wellbeing 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 worklife 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 ator Please note that one weeks 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.

Required Experience:

Director