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Title

Senior Vice President For Conservation

Posted
Reference   (Please mention Stopdodo/Environment Jobs in your application)
Sectors Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Water Resources
Location District of Columbia - America North
Type Fixed Term and Permanent Roles
Status Full Time
Level Senior Level
Company Name American Rivers
Contact Name
Website Further Details / Applications
American Rivers logo
Directory Entry : Conservation Jobs with....American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers, and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects, and an annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign.
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Description
IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

TITLE: Senior Vice President for Conservation
REPORTS TO: President
LOCATION: Washington, DC

Download a PDF version of this job announcement

ABOUT AMERICAN RIVERS: American Rivers is the nation’s leading organization working to protect and restore the nation’s rivers and streams.  Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations.  Since 1973, American Rivers has fought to preserve these connections, helping protect and restore more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects, and the annual release of America’s Most Endangered Rivers™.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 100,000 supporters, members, and volunteers nationwide.  American Rivers maintains a positive work environment with a culture of learning, support and balance.  For more information please visit www.americanrivers.org,www.facebook.com/americanrivers and www.twitter.com/americanrivers.

JOB SUMMARY: The Senior Vice President for Conservation (SVP) serves in a leadership position within American Rivers.  The SVP is responsible for the management of American Rivers’ Conservation Department, including personnel and the planning, implementation and evaluation of short and long term strategic goals and objectives.  The SVP is an important spokesperson for American Rivers among elected officials and their staff, government agencies, American Rivers members, river advocates, national and local partners, river scientists and managers, funders and other key constituencies.  The SVP is a member of the Executive Staff, charged with developing and executing organizational goals and objectives, and communicates regularly with the Board of Directors.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership and Management

  • Raise the profile of the organization among key constituencies, using broad experience and strong professional relationships.
  • Develop conservation programs in support of American Rivers’ strategic vision and goals.  This includes developing overarching goals, plans, and strategies, working with national and field staff to implement conservation programs, integrating regional work with national goals, and developing programs that best leverage our fundraising abilities.
  • Lead the organization’s cross-cutting conservation initiatives, working with the Executive Staff, Conservation, Government Relations, and Communications staff to identify and prioritize our goals and objectives and develop specific program strategies that are responsive to these goals.
  • Maintain and advance American Rivers’ leadership role as an organization with technical expertise in river conservation and restoration. This includes interfacing with the organization’s Science and Technical Advisory Committee as well as others in the academic arena. 

Supervisory Responsibilities

  • Supervise and mentor Program Directors and other senior conservation staff.
  • Ensure that American Rivers hires and retains conservation department staff with the appropriate skill sets, experience and professionalism for our current and future needs. 
  • Provide leadership within the department and across the organization in upholding high standards of professional excellence and in promoting strong organizational morale.
  • Ensure that department staff are working in an effective, collegial, and integrated fashion with other departments and regions.
  • Promote strong inter- and intradepartmental communications

Budget Management and Fundraising

  • Develop and manage department budget; allocate department resources to match annual priorities.  
  • Work with Development staff to set and achieve department and broader organizational fundraising goals.
  • Serve as lead contact with many of the largest foundations.
  • Participate in solicitation of major donors.  

Communications

  • Work with communications staff to develop media and web-based strategies for specific conservation campaigns.
  • Engage in high profile public speaking and media opportunities to advance the mission and raise the visibility and credibility of the organization.

Other Responsibilties

  • Maintain effective relations with the Board, informing members about key conservation issues and seeking the Board’s advice and guidance as appropriate.
  • Serve as staff liaison to the Policy Committee of the Board and with the Science and Technical Advisory Committee.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Education: Advanced degree in conservation, ecology, or natural resources management; law; government; public policy or related discipline and demonstrated scientific and/or policy credentials in issues relating to conservation of rivers or other freshwater ecosystems. 
  • Experience: 8+ years of progressively responsible experience developing, implementing, managing, and directing both legislative and advocacy campaigns on a national level, including 5+ years of relevant management/supervisory experience. Political experience, sound judgment, and sensitivity, including a general understanding of lobbying, Congressional committees, and the federal legislative processes. Other relevant experience with legislative procedures, grassroots organizing, communications, editing, and/or development.
  • An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.
  • Other:
    • Working knowledge of federal agencies, laws, and policies dealing with use and conservation of natural resources, particularly the Clean Water Act, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and other conservation laws
    • Excellent writing, media and verbal communications skills, with the ability to effectively communicate to a variety of stakeholders, including both technically expert audiences and general members of the interested public.
    • Strong analytical and research skills in natural resources management, law, or science.
    • Established network of scientific, fundraising, legal, policy, and political contacts.
    • Well developed and tested leadership skills.
    • Strong background in public policy, river management and science, the political process, and the demonstrated ability to use that knowledge effectively.
    • Ability to represent American Rivers effectively before foundations and major donors.
    • Excellent personnel management skills, including the ability to inspire excellence, clearly communicate expectations, mentor, build and maintain morale and recruit and retain talented people.
    • Proven budget management skills. 
    • High degree of integrity.
    • Exceptional interpersonal skills.
    • Results-oriented, with demonstrated ability to implement effective performance-based management.
    • Entrepreneurial, able to recognize and pursue targets of opportunity and adapt workplans and resources accordingly.
    • Decisive, balanced, with an organization-wide perspective. Desire to work as a member of a team in a fast-paced, professional environment.
    • Demonstrated skills working with teams and collaborating with other organizations.
    • Ability to motivate professional colleagues and donors.
    • Sense of humor.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Salary is commensurate with experience. Full-time employee benefits include health, dental and life insurance, retirement plan, and generous leave time.

APPLICATION: Applications will be considered immediately. Applicants should submit a resume, cover letter and professional references to: American Rivers, Attn:  SVP of Conservation Position, 1101 14th Street, NW, Suite 1400, Washington, DC 20005; or to: jobs@amrivers.org, with “SVP of Conservation” in the subject line. No phone calls please.

American Rivers is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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