Associate Director, California Central VAlley River Restoration

TITLE: Associate Director, California Central Valley River Restoration
CLASSIFICATION: Associate Director I or II
DEPARTMENT: Conservation
WAGE CATEGORY: Exempt
REPORTS TO: Central Valley Program Director
LOCATION: Home office in Bay Area or Central Valley (in or near Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto, or Merced; other locations within driving distance of project sites considered)

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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℠.

American Rivers centers the ongoing work of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in all that we do. The beauty of rivers is that they connect all people and communities, and we seek to build and embody this diversity in our organization and throughout the conservation field. The life experiences, knowledge, innovation, and talent that everyone brings to our work provides perspectives, experiences, and competencies that are critical to our effectiveness in protecting wild rivers, restoring damaged rivers, and conserving clean water for people and nature.

ABOUT THE CENTRAL VALLEY PROGRAM

The Central Valley Program is one of three programs (along with Dam Removal and Headwaters) within American Rivers’ robust California Program. The Central Valley team works to expand floodways and restore floodplains to protect and restore habitat for native species, increase community resilience to flooding and drought from climate change, and improve water quality and access to rivers for local communities. We primarily work in the river basins of the Central Valley, including the Sacramento River Basin, San Joaquin River Basin, and the San Francisco Bay-Delta.

This position will report to the Central Valley Program Director and will work closely with numerous partner organizations, including other non-profit organizations, government agencies, universities, and local communities.

JOB SUMMARY

The Associate Director, California Central Valley River Restoration, will help American Rivers develop and implement projects to protect and restore critical rivers and floodplains in the Central Valley to increase resiliency to climate change, support natural biodiversity, increase nature access and flood safety among vulnerable communities, and promote a river stewardship ethic among California decision makers. We are seeking up to three team members who are capable of developing and managing on-the-ground restoration projects from conception to implementation—including securing funding; managing budgets and schedules for state and federal grants; and coordinating with multiple agencies, partners, and consultants in the Central Valley.

American Rivers’ Central Valley Program is also building its capacity to shape and influence policies such as the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan, the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan, and the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. In addition to project management, the Associate Director, California Central Valley River Restoration will contribute policy and technical expertise to our efforts to restore Central Valley floodplain functions and reform flood management policy at the state and national level.

Each team member will support the general activities of the Central Valley Program while focusing their project management efforts in one of the three geographies listed below. Candidates located within or proximate to a given geography will be given preference:

Sacramento River Basin: Projects in this geography include planning and implementing a large-scale floodplain restoration effort along the mainstem of the Sacramento River at Turning Point Preserve (River Garden Farms) in Yolo County; planning side channel restoration for salmonid habitat in Tehama and Shasta counties; and developing river restoration opportunities within the Sacramento River Basin. The team member focusing on this geography will also participate in collaborative regional efforts including the Floodplain Forward Coalition, Sacramento River Technical Advisory Committee, and others.

San Joaquin River Basin: Projects in this geography include planning and implementing floodplain restoration efforts at Great Valley Grasslands State Park in Merced County and developing river restoration opportunities within the San Joaquin River Basin—including, but not limited to, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, and Fresno counties. The team member focusing on this geography will also participate in collaborative regional efforts that may include the Regional Flood Management Plan groups and others.

San Francisco Bay-Delta: Projects in this geography include tidal marsh restoration in the Delta at Peters Pocket in Solano County; riparian restoration at River Islands near Lathrop; and a large-scale flood protection and restoration effort at Van Buskirk and along Mormon Slough in Stockton, among others. The team member focusing on this geography will also participate in collaborative regional efforts including planning and implementing urban creek restoration efforts in Sacramento and other locations.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with the Central Valley Program to develop and implement multi-benefit strategies for restoring Central Valley River floodplains at scale, prioritizing areas that improve nature access and reduce flood impacts for vulnerable communities;
• Manage planning and implementation of multi-benefit river restoration projects in the Central Valley, including community outreach, partner engagement, monitoring, budgeting, contracting, invoice tracking, soliciting bids, and project construction tracking;
• Help develop solutions to technical, legal, and political challenges of expanding flood bypasses and restoration projects in the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins;
• Participate and represent American Rivers in regional collaborative efforts;
• Work with American Rivers’ Central Valley Program and national staff to support exchange of knowledge and experience on multi-benefit floodplain restoration across regions within American Rivers;
• Identify sources and work with the Central Valley Program to develop fundraising proposals and grant applications for identified projects;
• Draft comments and advocacy letters to shape river and water management projects, programs, and policies;
• Represent American Rivers in public planning forums as appropriate; and
• Potentially apply expertise (fish or aquatic ecology, geomorphology, engineering, water quality, etc.) for river restoration planning and monitoring in the field and in quantitative analysis.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in project management, including overseeing consultant teams;
• Experience leading watershed management or river/creek restoration or similar projects and/or programs;
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice;
• Demonstrated understanding of California water policy with a focus on flood management, hydrology/hydraulics, and/or river restoration preferred;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, a good sense of humor, and an ability to work effectively with a diverse range of people;
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated experience meeting project deadlines;
• Ability to manage budgets and project tasks in Excel spreadsheets;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and the ability to effectively communicate with partners and agency representatives;
• Initiative, coupled with creative and strategic thinking;
• Experience in community engagement, particularly with disadvantaged and underrepresented communities;
• Willingness to travel as needed to Sacramento and/or other parts of the Central Valley for project site visits, partner meetings, etc. and valid California driver’s license;
• Experience with fundraising and/or grant writing;
• Appropriate combination of education and at least 5 years of relevant experience or graduate degree in a relevant field and at least 2 years of relevant experience; and
• Personal commitment to American Rivers’ mission.

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SALARY AND BENEFITS

Full-time and full-time equivalent employee benefits include health, dental and life insurance, a retirement plan, and generous leave time. Anticipated salary range is $66,560 to $84,012 commensurate with skills and experience.