River Steward in Massachusetts

Position Overview:
Position classification: Full-time; salaried; exempt 
Start Date: Early November
Office location: Hybrid with office presence in Greenfield, MA 
Benefit eligible:  Yes 
Supervisor:  Executive Director 
Starting salary range: $60,000 – 65,000 

Position Description:

River Stewards are the principal advocates for the Connecticut River Conservancy and serve as the public face of CRC in their respective state. They advocate for clean and healthy rivers, collaborate with community and governmental partners, and communicate with the public. The River Stewards play a vital role in protecting and restoring the Connecticut River and its tributaries as part of the CRC team, working to ensure the long-term health and vitality of our watershed.?? 

Major Responsibilities:

While each Steward will address issues and priorities unique to their state, all Stewards are expected to:? 

• Create and implement legislative advocacy strategy 
• Conduct outreach and education about river issues and promote recreational access  
• Support and build partnerships among watershed and environmental organizations?? 
• Monitor active hydro facilities and engage in current FERC relicensing efforts as appropriate? 
• Maintain awareness of relevant regulatory permitting processes (NPDES, 401, wetlands, etc.) and submit public comments when necessary? 
• Collaborate with CRC communications team to create content for e-blasts, blog posts, op eds, and media interviews? 
• Serve as a resource for public inquiry, connecting individuals and organizations with the appropriate internal or external resources? 
• Apply for and manage grant funding to support advocacy work? 
• Support donor relations?? 
• Maintain knowledge of and inform other programmatic work ongoing in state? 

Massachusetts Focus Areas:? 

• Partner with watershed organizations to promote collaboration, capacity building and information sharing.?? 
• Monitor the activities and operations of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) dams along the Connecticut River and tributary rivers.??Remain actively engaged in the licensing of Turner’s Falls Dam and Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage facilities 
• Track the progress of the Long-Term Control Plans for CSO reduction and abatement in the four CSO communities.?? 
• Work with the Ecology Planner to understand and support invasives removals and education.?? 
• Work with recreation staff to seek out new or developing opportunities to increase safe and equitable access to the Connecticut River and tributaries?? 
• Work with partners to identify and implement Low Impact Development (LID) strategies to manage stormwater runoff, reduce erosion, and restore native vegetation.? 
• Build relationships with organizations engaged in Environmental Justice (EJ) work. Collaborate on projects that address equity and inclusion in environmental conservation, ensuring that the voices of historically underserved communities are centered in environmental projects and decision-making? 

Direct Reports: Expected to supervise up to three part time or seasonal staff based on awarded grants

Qualifications: 

We understand that many folks who are impacted by biased professionalism standards, such as women, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQIA+, and BIPOC applicants, tend to only apply if they meet every requirement listed. If you are excited about this role and meet 75% of the qualifications, we encourage you to apply and highlight your relevant experience and transferable skills in your cover letter. 

• Ability to write and communicate scientific principles and complicated topics to a variety of audiences
• Effective public speaking and ability to persuasively advocate for CRC positions
• Comfort managing overlapping projects with competing priorities? 
• Experience with volunteer and/or employee management? 
• Success in identifying funding opportunities, crafting grant proposals, and managing grant resources? 
• Master’s degree or comparable experience in environmental science, policy, or related field? 
• Comfort using email, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, and online databases? 
• Ability to respectfully collaborate and interact with colleagues, members, partners, and others of varied backgrounds and experience levels? 
• Demonstrated experience integrating values of equity and inclusion into work initiatives; willingness to participate in ongoing learning in this area is required  
• Can work successfully in a shared office setting with ability to travel throughout your state and the entire watershed as needed; must have car access?