Anacostia Riverkeeper

Earth Conservation Corps is a nonprofit youth development, environmental education and service organization located on the heavily polluted Anacostia River and in our nation's most disadvantaged communities, Southeast/Southwest Washington, DC.  Since 1989, we have successfully transformed the lives of DC's "hardest to reach" youth aged 17 through 25 by incorporating a model of progressive leadership, focused education and environmental training into our programs and efforts to restore the Anacostia River.

Position Overview:

Earth Conservation Corps seeks a full time Anacostia Riverkeeper to lead advocacy and enforcement initiatives associated with the Anacostia Riverkeeper Program.

The Anacostia RIVERKEEPER is responsible for the management and implementation of the Anacostia RIVERKEEPER program to prevent pollution and habitat degradation of the Anacostia River and its watershed.  The full-time position reports directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Earth Conservation Corps.  

Responsibilities: 

• Protecting the Anacostia River watershed from pollution and habitat degradation either by directly investigating, documenting, and reporting these activities and providing appropriate follow-up action or by managing other partner groups to do so;
• Improving the health of the Anacostia River by strengthening the role of Anacostia RIVERKEEPER volunteers and community residents in the implementation of effective water quality policy and initiatives in order to achieve effective management that is sustainable over the long term;
• Expanding and diversifying the constituency for a clean and healthy river by raising public awareness and articulating the threats facing the Anacostia River to citizens, legislators, policy makers, the media and funders;
• Providing technical support as needed for existing advocacy, monitoring, lands conservancy, and restoration efforts being implemented by other environmental organizations in the region;
• Prepare a strategy for continued funding of the program, including membership income and grant opportunities and appropriate promotional materials for the program;
• Conduct ongoing overviews and assessments of existing local, state and federal authorities and responsibilities for monitoring and protecting the Anacostia River and review of scientific research, monitoring reports and other documentation of water quality. 
• Identify and collaborate with the many stakeholder groups within the Anacostia River watershed to build support for the RIVERKEEPER program and to increase public awareness of the key issues;
• Establish a working relationship with legal counsel Attorneys including, Hope Babcock of the Georgetown Institute for Public Policy;

Special Conditions:

• The RIVERKEEPER will begin training necessary for this position, including: US Coast Guard training, boat safety and operation, river ecosystems, urban stormwater management and water quality sampling.  In addition, he/she will be apprenticed to establish RIVERKEEPER programs around the country for week-long training periods.
• Upon completion of training, the Anacostia RIVERKEEPER is anticipated to spend 25 hours a week on the water or working  in the watershed field, with the remaining time dedicated to outreach and administration of the program;
• The RIVERKEEPER will keep a daily journal of activities on the Anacostia, detailing observations of potential environmental problems, cleanup activities, and water quality sampling and testing results.  The RIVERKEEPER will provide a monthly synopsis of activities.
• Provide training to disadvantaged youth from the community (Earth Conservation Corps members) that could lead to environmental careers;
• Promote community involvement and dissemination of environmental information that will contribute to the achievement of environmental justice for the Anacostia community, empowering politically and economically disenfranchised communities to take control of their environment and actively work for its restoration;
• Perform all other duties as assigned to further the mission of Earth Conservation Corps and Anacostia Riverkeeper

Illustrative Examples of Work:

• Collaborate with the Board of Directors: Provide input to the board, the President/Chief Executive Officer and/or committees appointed by the board for development of long-range goals and annual objectives that ensure the Foundation remains focused primarily on the protection, preservation and restoration of the Anacostia River.
• Director of Advocacy: Serves as a full-time public advocate for the Anacostia River and all its tributaries, by observing, documenting and reporting environmentally-harmful activity and instituting enforcement action or litigation when appropriate.
• Community and Public Relations: Acts as the spokesperson for the Anacostia River at media events, public speaking engagements and Earth Conservation Corps fundraisers. Develop mutually beneficial networking relationships with environmental and community organizations throughout the basin.
• RIVERKEEPER Program Management: Establish, prioritize, manage and coordinate initiatives including, permit review and comment preparation, hearing testimony, and special projects. Maintain an on-the-river presence utilizing volunteers and/or staff to investigate pollution sources, support monitoring efforts, and provide a platform for education and for raising public awareness. Manage the training and performance of all volunteers with goal of insuring the viability of the Citizen Watch RIVERKEEPER Program.
• Human Resources Management: With guidance from the President or Chief Executive Office, effectively manage the human resources that report directly to the RIVERKEEPER as identified on the Earth Conservation Corps organizational chart, including hiring, training, supervising, motivating and disciplining staff according to authorized personnel policies and procedures that fully confirm to current laws and regulations.
• Assist Fundraising Efforts: Provide technical assistance and input as needed to assist the President or Chief Executive Office and/or Development Director and Development Officer with fundraising, including membership development, river event planning, as well as preparation of major grant proposals.
• Provide Motivation and Leadership: Empower the Anacostia Collaborative, board and staff by engaging and connecting them to the Anaocostia River.  

Qualifications:

The Anacostia RIVERKEEPER must possess the capacity to identify, implement and manage long and short-term winning environmental campaigns on multiple specific and targeted water quality initiatives that will protect the Anacostia River for future generations.

The RIVERKEEPER should have environmental campaign management experience, preferably with a non-profit environmental advocacy organization.  Additionally, a general knowledge of water quality science, law and policy is preferable.  An understanding of grassroots organizations and activities, volunteer management, knowledge of political and legislative processes and experience working with multiple stakeholders is preferred.  An advanced degree or equivalent experience in biology, hydro-geology, environmental studies, environmental law or a related field is required.

The RIVERKEEPER position requires effective communication and public relations skills.  This individual is expected to be a compelling and articulate spokesperson for the Anacostia River.  Additionally, the RIVERKEEPER is expected to lead and/or work with community groups, foundations, governmental agencies, individual homeowners and businesses to promote the protection and conservation of the Anacostia River.  A proven ability to work with multiple stakeholders, negotiate effective environmental agreements and to meet budget constraints is required.

• An experienced and effective advocate, preferably with experience developing and managing environmental campaigns.
• An understanding of grassroots organizing, volunteer management, political and legislative processes is preferred.
• Must have the ability to conduct rigorous investigations of pollution problems.
• Must have knowledge of and experience with Federal and State environmental laws and regulations.
• Strong skills in communicating difficult technical issues to lay audiences, including elected officials and the general public. Must be able to convincingly argue for often-controversial positions.
• Good judgement and the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Science background and field experience a plus.