Riverkeeper

The mission of Anacostia Riverkeeper is to protect and restore the Anacostia River for all who live, work, and play in its watershed, and to advocate for a clean river for all its communities. With our fellow Waterkeepers in the Chesapeake Bay Region, we protect families by stopping pollution.

Position Overview: 

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 Board of Directors of the Anacostia Riverkeeper, Inc.

Responsibilities: 

Additionally, the Anacostia Riverkeeper is responsible for:

• 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, Georgetown Institute for Public Policy; Earth Justice and NRDC.

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 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.
• Assist Fundraising Efforts: Provide technical assistance and input as needed to with fundraising, including membership development, river event planning, as well as preparation of major grant proposals.
• Provide Motivation and Leadership: Empower the Anacostia Collaborative and board by engaging and connecting them to the Anacostia River.

Qualifications: 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

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 technical issues to lay audiences, including elected officials and the general public.
• Must be able to convincingly argue for often-controversial positions.
• Good judgment and the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Knowledge and a passion for the issues of the Anacostia River.
• Science background and field experience.

To Apply: 

Please send Resume and Cover Letter with salary expectations.