Restoration Field Manager

Location: Scottsville or Richmond, VA 

Telework: 75% field-based, 25% office-based (Richmond, Scottsville, or home office) 

Experience: Intermediate or Mid-Level 

Number of Openings: 1

Job Status: Full Time, Exempt

Salary Range: $50,000 to $55,000 

Reports to: Restoration Director

The James River Association(JRA) is a non-profit organization on a mission to protect the James River and connect people to it. JRA is excited to announce an opening for a full-time Restoration Field Manager. This position is 75% field based with extensive travel across the Middle James River watershed, and periodic travel to other areas of the James River watershed for other events and staff meetings, and 25% office-based, which can be telework from home and/or from the Scottsville or Richmond JRA office. This position will report to the Restoration Director as a team member of the JRA Restoration Team that engages partners and the community in taking direct action to restore and protect our freshwater riparian areas across the James River watershed. 

In this role, you will: 1) Serve as a project lead for riparian forest buffer projects installed under the James River Buffer Program (JRBP) in the Middle James River watershed, 2) coordinate key riparian restoration efforts in the eastern Middle James River watershed, and 3) be an active member of the Upper & Middle James Riparian Consortium by supporting efforts to raise awareness, build workforce capacity, and increase implementation of riparian forested buffers. 

This position is a perfect match for highly motivated individuals wanting to be part of regional scale riparian restoration through working with private and public landowners, collaborating with a broad partnership of conservation professionals, and getting their hands dirty while improving the landscape for water quality, wildlife habitat, and human communities. Note that it will include a lot of driving, possibly working in extreme weather conditions and traversing difficult terrain. A JRA work vehicle is dedicated to this position. 

Responsibilities: 

James River Buffer Program

• Serve as the project lead for all riparian forest buffer projects installed under JRBP in the eastern Middle James River watershed (Amelia, Buckingham, Cumberland, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, Nottoway, City of Petersburg, Powhatan, Prince Edward, and City of Richmond), and be available as needed in the Western Middle James River watershed, specifically in Albemarle County, where adoption rates are higher.
• As a project lead, this position will serve as the primary point of contact for the landowner from the initial site visit, developing the planting plan, coordinating with contractors and volunteers for planting and the first three years of maintenance, performing follow up visits in year 5, 10, and 15 of a project, and maintaining accurate mapping and data for projects in GIS and other required tracking programs.
• Maintain and build new relationships with local conservation partners such as Virginia Department of Forestry, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and others.
• Share responsibility with JRBP partners on the  content for monthly JRBP blog
• Serve as the lead on planning and coordination of Field Days, Outreach Events, and Maintenance Workshops in the eastern Middle James River watershed.

Eastern Middle James River Watershed Riparian Projects

• State Farm Conservation Project, Virginia Department of Corrections: Serve as the co-coordinator for the State Farm Task Force, providing support for the Restoration Director.
• Develop meeting agendas and summaries, follow up with partners on action items, and send emails for the monthly State Farm Task Force meetings
• Update and maintain GIS records and metrics for the State Farm project on a quarterly basis
• Support the Task Force as needed
• Chapel Island Restoration: Serve as the project manager for invasive species management on Chapel Island that is part of James River Park System (JRPS) in the City of Richmond and adjacent to JRA’s James A Buzzard River Education Center.
• Annually update the comprehensive invasive species management plan for Chapel Island
• Develop meeting agendas and summaries for Chapel Island related meetings, and follow up with other JRA staff on action items
• Provide guidance to the Community Conservation Coordinator who will lead monthly volunteer days at Chapel Island
• Oversee funding and guidance for contractors to manage invasive species
• Attend at least four monthly Task Force meetings a year and be the point of contact to coordinate efforts with JRPS and in accordance with the JRPS Natural Resources Management Plan
• Wetland Restoration in Cumberland
• Provide coordination support to Restoration Director for partnership and contract with Virginia Vernal Pools, LLC on wetland projects and workshops

Upper & Middle James Riparian Consortium

• Attend Riparian Consortium events and provide support as needed
• Serve on at least one Action Team and participate in collaborative efforts which could include leading trainings, helping to host workshops, informing development of outreach material, or other activities

Qualifications: 

• Knowledge of watershed management and riparian forest buffers
• Ability to identify native and invasive tree species found in riparian areas
• Strong organizational skills, detail-oriented, and the ability to track multiple priorities at once
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Workspace, with comfort using online communication and research tools. GIS is an important part of this role, and while prior experience is preferred, it is not required.
• A successful candidate is someone who is willing to spend time both in the office to manage and design projects and handle reporting, as well as in the field to visit sites and oversee installation and maintenance of riparian forest buffer projects.
• Strong communication skills with comfort and flexibility in working with a variety of people, including urban and rural populations, local governments, citizens, volunteers, and other conservation groups.

Requirements:

• A Bachelor’s degree in a related science, landscape design, natural resource-related field, or over 3 years of equivalent experience.
• A valid driver’s license and willingness to travel across the Middle James Watershed, and periodically travel to other areas of the James River watershed for events and staff meetings.
• Ability to pass pre-employment background checks and participate in JRA’s random drug testing policy for vehicle operators and attendants
• Ability to perform general physical restoration activities, including working outdoors in varying weather conditions, standing for extended periods, walking on uneven terrain, and occasionally lifting and carrying materials or equipment up to 40 pounds.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Familiarity with principles of watershed management and riparian forest buffers

• Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional-Buffer Certification

• Experience using Geographic information systems, GPS units, and digital mapping tools.
• Experience working with landowners on conservation planning for their property

• Herbicide applicator certification

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 $50,000-$55,000 annually, depending upon several factors including education and work experience.

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

Why Work for the James River Association? 

We are OPTIMISTS.

We believe through individual and collective action, the James River can be preserved and improved, enriching all communities in the watershed.

We are CATALYSTS.

We are proactive change-makers, not bystanders. We take initiative, bring creativity and passion, and enlist the broader community to drive positive change for the James River.

CREDIBILITY is our currency.

Our success depends on the trust we build. We operate with integrity and can be relied on as a true, steady, dependable resource grounded in science.

COMMUNITY drives everything we do.

We believe in the power of community to achieve common goals, honoring a full range of voices in the process. Our efforts consider the varied needs and interests of our watershed communities.

We are proud to be an EEO employer. We maintain a drug-free workplace. At JRA, we believe in community, conservation, and driving change. We encourage applications from all backgrounds—if you’re excited about working with us, we want to hear from you!