Employment
If hard, rewarding work is calling you …
Join our team to help protect and preserve Virginia’s most vital resource. Our staff works hard to nurture the James, enjoy the James, and restore the river we love.
Open Employment Positions
Open Request For Proposals/ Statements of Qualification
Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountains and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.
About the James River Association
Founded in 1976, the James River Association is the oldest and largest river conservation group in Virginia, and the only organization solely dedicated to protecting and restoring America’s Founding River, the James River. JRA’s mission is to be the guardian of the James River – to provide a voice for the river and take action to promote conservation and responsible stewardship of its natural resources. To accomplish our mission, JRA’s two strategic goals include:
- Achieving a fully healthy James River
- Helping communities within the watershed realize the benefits from a healthy James River and support protecting it.
Open Positions
Vice President of Finance and Operations
Location: Richmond, Virginia (primary office)
Telework: Hybrid and flexible
Experience: 8-10 years in nonprofit finance and human resources
Number of Openings: 1
Job Status: Full time, Exempt
Salary Range: $110,000-$120,000
Reports to: President and Chief Executive Officer
The James River Association is a nonprofit organization on a mission to protect the James River and connect people to it. With the upcoming retirement of our long-serving Vice President of Finance and Operations, we are beginning the search for our next financial and operational leader. This is a meaningful opportunity to join a values-driven team that cares deeply about our people, our river, and the communities we serve.
We are seeking a seasoned, steady, and relationship-centered executive who can guide the financial health of the organization, nurture a positive operational and cultural environment, and serve as a trusted partner to our leadership team. The ideal candidate brings demonstrated experience in nonprofit finance, strategic budgeting, operational excellence, human resources, and people-centered leadership. This person will help shape JRA’s next chapter and ensure a strong foundation for our mission now and into the future.
Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic leadership for all aspects of JRA’s finances and operations.
- Key liaison responsible for the annual “Single” Audit and Form 990
- Manage and mentor the Administration team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and high performance to provide steady and meaningful support for all of JRA’s activities
- Identify opportunities and oversee development of ways to improve operational systems and organizational efficiency
- Ensure accuracy of financial records and best practices in cash management
- Create and prepare the annual budget in collaboration with other staff and leadership, as well as prepare regular financial reports for each program area
- With the Director of People and Culture annually review, maintain and modernize benefits offerings
- Lead quarterly finance committee meetings, presenting salient financial data
- Work closely with the Development team, including tracking of long-term pledges and providing year to date revenue data for comparison and reporting to the board
- Serve as a key member of JRA’s executive leadership team, contributing to organization-wide decision making and strategic planning.
Qualifications:
- Proven success in nonprofit budgeting, audit and cash management as well as an understanding of restricted funds and endowments.
- Executive presence with strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
- Experience with human resources functions including benefits, staff culture and support, and maintaining operational excellence
- Firm commitment to the ethical standards expected of accounting professionals.
- Demonstrated ability to manage and inspire a team.
Requirements:
- Minimum of 8-10+ years of experience in finance and HR, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field; CPA license preferred
- Proficiency in QuickBooks (desktop) and superior Excel skills
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- Ability to present data in understandable and impactful way to board and staff
- Perseverance in achieving efficiencies, savings, and improving processes and work flow
- Capacity to work collaboratively across departments to maintain a deep understanding of the operations and financial activity of the organization
- Self-starter who is naturally intuitive with excellent listening skills
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. Dynamic, hybrid/flexible work environment.
The exempt salary range for this full-time position is $110,000 – $120,000 annually, depending on education and work experience.
APPLY by submitting your resume and cover letter through this link. This position will remain open until filled, with an anticipated hire date in early February 2026.
Open Request For Proposals/Statements of Qualification
The James River Association is requesting proposals from qualified contractors for construction services to be provided at Belmont Branch Library in the City of Richmond, Virginia.
Proposals should include the contractor’s summary of qualifications and past experience working on similar projects, an implementation plan with schedule and costs, and contact information for three references. Proposals should be emailed to Katy Riley of the James River Association at kriley@thejamesriver.org by close of business on Monday, January 5, 2026.
The James River Association is requesting Statements of Qualification from contractors for living shoreline construction services to be provided in the lower James River watershed.
Statement of Qualifications must include the following to be eligible for consideration (1) Cover Letter (2) Summary of Qualifications (3) Prior Experience (4) Safety Record (5) Insurance Requirements. Proposals should be emailed to Amanda Guthrie of the James River Association at aguthrie@thejamesrier.org by 5pm ET on Friday, January 30, 2026.
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.
Building a James River for All
JRA’s vision is a fully healthy James River, valued by all communities in the watershed. 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!
JRA is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sex, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, sexual orientation, veteran status, military status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Volunteer
Ready to give back to the James? Whether it’s getting your hands dirty with one of our Watershed Restoration projects, acting as a voice for the river through our Advocacy efforts or helping out with office tasks, there is a job for everyone to play a part in making a cleaner James River.
If your community is in the James River watershed, you can give back to its health.
Whether you appreciate access to clean water or just feel passionate about protecting our environment, there are things you can do that don’t involve getting wet!
Use your time on the river to give back to its health.
We are a voice for the James, identifying the risks facing our river and sharing solutions that will produce results for clean water and healthy waterways. With so much ground to cover, we need your help.
If you live or work in the James River watershed, you can give back to its health.
We have great opportunities if you prefer working on land – or even your own backyard.
Use your time on the river to give back to its health.
We also have opportunities for individuals who enjoy time on the James. If you routinely spend time fishing, paddling, or boating the James or one of its tributaries, these are great ways to get involved!
