Employment

About the James River Association

Founded in 1976, the James River Association is the oldest and largest river conservation group in Virginia, and the only organization solely dedicated to protecting and restoring America’s Founding River, the James River. JRA’s mission is to be the guardian of the James River – to provide a voice for the river and take action to promote conservation and responsible stewardship of its natural resources. To accomplish our mission, JRA’s two strategic goals include: 1) Achieving a fully healthy James River; and 2) Helping communities within the watershed realize the benefits from a healthy James River and support protecting it.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice

We’re committed to embedding the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all parts of our work and our watershed. We acknowledge this takes time, intention, and effort. It requires truly listening to others, identifying shared goals, and charting a strategic course through collective action. People who have been historically marginalized in the James River Watershed have suffered injustices for far too long. At JRA, we recognize that at times our actions and inaction have contributed to the problem, and now we are stepping up to be part of the solution.

JRA is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sex, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, sexual orientation, veteran status, military status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Open Positions

Major Gifts Officer

We are seeking a full-time Major Gifts Officer to join our team to build on the success of the James Changer Campaign and help achieve our major gift fundraising goals. Working with the CEO, VP of Development, Board of Directors, and JRA staff, the Major Gifts Officer will be responsible for identifying and cultivating relationships with prospective major gift donors.

The organization’s operating budget is approximately $3.7M, with 34 full-time and up to 16 seasonal or part-time employees working across Virginia in four offices, including the headquarters located in downtown Richmond, VA, with regional offices in Williamsburg, Lynchburg, and Scottsville. This is a hybrid position based in Richmond.

JRA has recently completed a 4-year, $25-million James Changer Campaign which has been the most ambitions, comprehensive, and successful campaign to date.  The goal of the campaign was to strengthen JRA’s programs, accelerate habitat restoration projects, grow JRA’s endowment, and add four capital projects to JRA’s fleet and facilities.  These capital components of the campaign included the transformation of current buildings into the Upper James River Center and Lower James River Center, the addition of an additional 50-ft education boat and the construction of the new James A. Buzzard River Education Center in Richmond.  The James Changer Campaign was successful in not only strengthening JRA’s programs, but also attracting many new donors and greater levels of support.

The Major Gifts Officer will manage and expand an existing portfolio of major donor prospects and work with board members and staff leaders to coordinate and execute the long-term fundraising major gifts initiatives for the Association.

The ideal candidate will have at least 3-5 years of fundraising experience working with individual donors through the process of cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.                                                                                                                   

Summary of Job Responsibilities and Requirements

• Plan and lead JRA’s major gift program (gifts greater than $5,000).
• Identify and research major gift prospects.
• Develop strategies and networks to make connections with major gift prospects.
• Grow relationships with existing and new major gift prospects.
• Develop donor solicitation strategies and stewardship program for major gifts.
• Engage board members and staff leadership in major gift relationship building and the development and execution of major gift proposals and presentations.
• Ensure that major donor records are complete and maintained utilizing internal systems (donor management software – Salesforce) for effective donor stewardship

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 3-5 years front line experience successfully securing major gifts, cultivating individual donors and increasing support levels from existing donors.
• Pre-employment background screening.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated success in securing significant gifts, managing a portfolio of donors and meeting annual fundraising goals.
• Experience in building effective relationships with a variety of donors and individuals based on their unique personalities and preferences
• Technically proficient in a variety of software applications (e.g., Word, Excel, data management/CRM systems, donor research systems).
• Excellent writing and interpersonal skills to build relationships and communicate with donors effectively.
• Attention to detail in managing relationships and follow through on commitments.
• Ability to speak in public to groups and organizations.
• A strong commitment to and understanding of donor relationships, recognition and stewardship.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and remain positive and optimistic when faced with challenges or setbacks.
• Strong initiative, flexibility, and self-directed.
• Enthusiasm for and commitment to JRA’s mission, vision, and values.
• Ability to represent the organization in a professional manner to both internal and external audiences.
• Willingness to travel throughout the James River watershed, occasionally overnight, for donor visits and activities.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for donor visits, meetings, and other related JRA activities.

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 $65,000 – $75,000 depending upon related credentials and work experience.

APPLY by sending your resume and cover letter to amoody@thejamesriver.org This position will remain open until filled. 

EOE M/F/D/V JRA reserves the right to alter, change, modify, and/or terminate this job posting at any time without notice or obligation to any party.

GIS and Water Quality Program Manager

We are seeking a full-time GIS and Water Quality Program Manager to act as the primary administrator for GIS needs throughout the organization and will coordinate JRA’s James River Watch water quality monitoring program.

Summary of Job Responsibilities and Requirements

GIS Administration:

• General cartography creation, management, and analysis to illustrate concepts and data associated with JRA’s programmatic work for reports, meetings, and documents
• Develop GIS-based tools, applications, databases, or similar solutions in support of JRA’s programs
• Manage a centralized geospatial database for JRA, including developing and maintaining all documentation for data acquisition and data management
• Identify and fill data gaps through publicly available sources, developing partnerships or creating the geospatial data when feasible
• Assist JRA staff that utilize GIS as needed

James River Watch:

• Manage a team of staff and volunteers to implement JRA’s seasonal James River Watch water quality monitoring program
• Oversee weekly bacteria monitoring at sites on the James River and tributaries
• Complete weekly lab-based components of the bacteria testing process, including interpreting and uploading results
• Analyze trends in data and compose annual reports summarizing water quality monitoring data
• Communicate water quality results to the general public
• Recruit, train, mentor, and coordinate volunteers engaged with the James River Watch program
• Develop, manage, and implement QA/QC protocols associated with the James River Watch program
• Work with partner organizations to collaborate on water quality monitoring programs
• Other duties as assigned

Key Qualifications

• Degree in Geography, Environmental Science, Biology or similar program
• Ability to pass pre-employment background screening.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proficient in GIS with experience working with ESRI, ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online
• Strong geospatial analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyze and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy
• Proficient with R, Python code language, and other statistical computing and data visualization tools
• Excellent writing skills and the ability to communicate powerfully
• Proficiency in data analysis. Ability to leverage quantitative and qualitative data to enable informed decision-making
• Processes a high level of energy, a positive, “can-do” attitude, and is a team player. Flexible, resilient, and able to work and thrive in a fast-paced, changing environment
• Comfortable interacting with the public
• High degree of initiative with the ability to work independently, multitask and handle conflicting priorities while maintaining consistent, quality performance standards
• Promotes and adheres to the company’s mission, vision, values, and policies
• Willingness to work outside, sometimes in inclement weather
• Comfortable with a hybrid work environment
• Must have a valid Driver’s License and reliable transportation

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequent bending, stair climbing, pushing and pulling of equipment
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at times.
• Willing to participate in JRA’s random drug testing program for vehicle and vessel operators and attendants

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 (FTE 1) position is $47,000-$50,000, depending upon related credentials and work experience.

APPLY by sending your resume and cover letter to sralston@thejamesriver.org. This position will remain open until filled; interviews will begin after April 10, 2024.

EOE M/F/D/V JRA reserves the right to alter, change, modify, and/or terminate this job posting at any time without notice or obligation to any party.

Upper James River Seasonal Environmental Educator

The James River Association is seeking a seasonal environmental educator to be based out of our Lynchburg office who will lead education programs for elementary, middle, and high school students. This position will be responsible for working within a team of Environmental Educators and assisting with educational programming within the Lynchburg area. Education programs typically extend from February-November (10 month contract).

Position Summary:

The Upper James River Seasonal Environmental Educator will be an instrumental member of the education team in the Lynchburg area.  This position will be required to work within the team to facilitate field-based educational programming in the Lynchburg area. This position will require excellent communication skills with respect to emailing and scheduling.  The schedule of this position will include fluctuating hours with some night and weekend work. 

Required Qualifications:

1. A deep commitment to environmental and conservation issues, especially as it relates to the James River.
2. Experience in the field of environmental, outdoor, and/or experiential education, with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in education, environmental science, or a related field. 
3. Strong working knowledge of best practices in providing environmental education experience for secondary school-aged youth.
4. Knowledge of watershed systems and water quality issues.  Knowledge specific to the James River is highly preferred.
5. Experience in leading canoeing trips with children and/or adults.
6. Experience with lesson plans that are in accordance with Virginia Standards of Learning.
7. Must be able to lift 45 pounds in order to move equipment (canoes, kayaks, etc.).

Compensation:
This position will be compensated at an hourly rate of $20 per hour, based upon experience. 

To apply for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter by e-mail to cjohnson@thejamesriver.org.

Resumes will be reviewed as they are received.  The position will remain open until filled. Interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates as they are received.  JRA is an equal opportunity employer.  

Volunteer

Ready to give back to the James? Whether it’s getting your hands dirty with one of our Watershed Restoration projects, acting as a voice for the river through our Advocacy efforts or helping out with office tasks, there is a job for everyone to play a part in making a cleaner James River.

If you live or work in the James River watershed, you can give back to its health.

We have great opportunities if you prefer working on land – or even your own backyard.

Use your time on the river to give back to its health.

We also have opportunities for individuals who enjoy time on the James. If you routinely spend time fishing, paddling, or boating the James or one of its tributaries, these are great ways to get involved!