James River Association Employment Opportunities

About James River Association

The James River Association (JRA) is a private, non-profit river conservation group in Virginia and the only organization solely dedicated to protecting and restoring America’s Founding River, the James River. JRA works through four core programs to advance the health of the river:  River Advocacy, James RIVERKEEPER®, Education and Outreach and Watershed Restoration.  JRA is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia but works throughout the 10,000 square miles (25% of Virginia) that drains to the James River.  JRA was established in 1976 and currently has a staff of 12 and an annual budget of approximately $1.2 million.

James River Association - Policy Specialist

Position Summary

JRA seeks a Policy Specialist to serve as an advocate for the James River in policy initiatives within legislative and regulatory arenas at the state and local level. JRA’s current policy priorities are state funding for agricultural best management practices, state and local stormwater management programs and local low impact development policies. JRA is also involved in state and regional policy efforts related to the Chesapeake Bay that will advance JRA’s policy priorities.

The Policy Specialist position is responsible for development, analysis, and implementation of strategies to establish policies and practices that will restore and protect the James River. The position includes significant interactions with elected officials, relevant government agencies and other decision-makers. The Policy Specialist will serve as primary liaison with partner organizations, and is responsible for developing and implementing a variety of advocacy tools including the use of technical comments and reports, media outreach, grassroots and grass tops strategies, etc.  The Policy Specialist will report to the Executive Director and coordinate with other JRA programs to utilize the breadth of the organization in advocacy efforts.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities will include:

• In coordination with the Executive Director and other JRA programs, develop organizational priorities, plans and strategies to advance the health of the James River.
• Track, review, analyze and formulate policy positions for policy matters that have a significant impact on the James River.
• Represent JRA on policy issues at the state and local level through meetings, written and oral testimony.
• Collaborate with partners and coalitions on specific policy initiatives.  
• Manage and strengthen organizational capacity for advocacy efforts.

Professional Qualifications

1. Must have strong skills in communicating difficult technical issues to lay audiences, including elected officials and the general public. Must be able to professionally and effectively communicate and advocate positions even in adversarial situations.
2. Should be an experienced and effective advocate with demonstrated success working on conservation issues. 
3. Should be able to work effectively with a broad range of constituents and organizations, as well as manage volunteers.
4. Must be able to manage multiple projects concurrently, including schedules, budgets and reports.
5. Should have minimum of a Bachelors Degree in public policy, law, environmental science, natural resources or a related field and five years of related work experience. A working knowledge of federal, state and local environmental laws, particularly associated with water quality, is preferred. 

Location:  Richmond, Virginia

Start Date:  The position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found.

Compensation: Salary will be commensurate with experience.  JRA offers a dynamic and flexible work environment and a competitive benefits package.

To apply for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter with salary history by email to bstreet@jamesriverassociation.org or by mail to:

            Bill Street
            Executive Director
            James River Association
            9 South 12th Street, 4th Floor
            Richmond, VA 23219

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but priority will be given to resumes received by December 23, 2009.

James River Association - Watershed Restoration Intern

Position Summary

JRA seeks a Part-time Intern (20 hours a week) to serve as an assistant to the Watershed Scientist and the Watershed Restoration Program. This is a term position that will begin as soon as a suitable candidate has been identified and it will end in December 2010, with the possibility of extension. The focus of the Watershed Restoration program is establishing and maintaining diverse partnerships to implement innovative on-the-ground projects that address stormwater management, sedimentation, habitat restoration, land conservation and other issues facing the James River.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities will include:

• Assist with volunteer events such as tree plantings, rain garden maintenance and trash cleanups.
  
• Volunteer recruitment and registration for events and maintaining the Watershed Restoration volunteer database.
  
• Conduct technical and in-the-field background research for on-going and new projects.
  
• Assist with document and presentation preparation including map making, compiling images and data, editing and proofreading.
  
• Assist with the monitoring and maintenance of existing projects.
  
• Attend committee and project meetings with the Watershed Scientist

Professional Qualifications

1. Must have majored in Biology, Environmental Science, or a related field of study OR have equivalent work experience.
   
2. Must be a college senior, graduate student or have already graduated from college.
   
3. Must have experience conducting on-line research and using Microsoft Excel, Power Point, and Word.
4. Experience with GIS, web design and social networking platforms is preferred.
   
5. Must be willing to work outdoors and perform fieldwork.
   
6. Experience working with and/or managing volunteers of all ages is preferred.
   
7. Experience with buffer planting, gardening and other environmental restoration projects is preferred.

Additional Qualifications

1. Must have a flexible work schedule, including the ability to work occasional Saturdays and evenings.
   
2. Must be able to provide own transportation to and from the office and work sites.
   
3. Occasional travel, generally within 2 hours of Richmond, is required for this position.
   
4. Ability to work through the summer and fall is preferred.

Location: Richmond, Virginia

Start Date: The position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found.

Compensation: Wage rate will be commensurate with experience.

To apply for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter by email to mkokolis@jrava.org or by mail to:

Michelle Kokolis
Watershed Restoration Project Manager
James River Association
9 South 12th Street, 4th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but priority will be given to resumes received by Friday, March 5.