Employment

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

 Seasonal Stewardship Assistant

Location: Rustburg, VA, Lexington, VA, and Charlottesville, VA
Telework: Hybrid
Experience: Entry Level
Number of Openings: 6
Job Status:  Seasonal Part Time, Non-Exempt
Hourly Rate: $15/Hour
Reports to: Restoration Director
Timeframe: May 25-August 14, 2026 (2 week flexibility on start and end date)

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 job openings for six Seasonal Stewardship Assistants: two to be located near Lexington, VA, two to be located near Lynchburg, VA, and two to be located near Charlottesville, VA. The two near Lexington will work closely with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) and work out of the Lexington Natural Resource Conservation (NRCS) office and cover Rockbridge, Alleghany, and Bath counties. The two near Lynchburg will work out of the Rustburg County NRCS office and cover Campbell, Appomattox, and Amherst counties. The two near Charlottesville will work out of the Louisa NRCS office and cover Albemarle, Fluvanna, and Nelson counties. Most of the work will be in the field with the option for office-related work to be telework from home and/or from a partner office in the respective areas.

The primary focus of this position will be to perform site assessments of riparian forest buffers as part of the James River Stewardship Program (JRSP), which was launched in 2022. This program was developed to assess and perform needed maintenance on riparian forest buffers installed 3-15 years ago through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), Virginia Agricultural Cost-Share Program (VACS), and the James River Buffer Program (JRBP). Assessments include visual observation of invasive plant species and native tree establishment, and light tree shelter maintenance at the select project locations. The position will be employed by JRA, but will also be working closely with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) staff. JRA will provide each pair of Assistants access to one vehicle to share, laptops, and supplies needed for assessments. Housing is not provided.

This seasonal opportunity is a perfect match for students or individuals wanting to learn about natural resource management, work with private and public landowners, connect with a broad partnership of conservation professionals, and get 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. This position will receive on the ground training in Wilderness First Aid, plant identification, and buffer maintenance and assessment by JRA and partner staff.

Responsibilities:

• Work with one other Seasonal Stewardship Assistant to assess ~200 acres of riparian forest buffer projects installed 3-15 years ago on primarily agricultural lands
• Data management related to site assessments
• Work with one other Seasonal Stewardship Assistant to develop draft recommendation reports that include an invasive species management plan and replanting plan for ~200 acres of assessed riparian forest buffers
• Meet regularly with NRCS, CBF, DOF, SWCD, and JRA partners
• Other duties as assigned such as buffer maintenance, blog writing, workshops with landowners, or other activities related to buffer stewardship

Qualifications:

A successful candidate will possess the following:

• Some experience (education or lived) in restoration, agriculture, or forestry
• Interest in learning how to identify native and invasive plant types found in riparian habitats
• Comfort communicating with rural and agricultural landowners and comfortable in farm landscape
• Willing to participate in JRA’s random drug testing policy for vehicle operators and attendants
• Ability to perform physical work, navigate uneven terrain, and work in various weather conditions such as heat, rain, and cold
• A valid driver’s license
• Computer skills, particularly in word processing and record-keeping (Microsoft Word and Excel), and familiarity with internet communication and search tools. GIS experience is a plus, but not required.
• Excellent at problem-solving, meeting deadlines, following schedules, and overall time management
• Ability to coordinate with partners and collaborators via email and phone
• Strong communications, analytical skills, teamwork, integrity, and reliability

Compensation: JRA offers a dynamic and flexible work environment. Pay is set at $15/hour, 30-40 hours a week for 12 weeks. This position is part-time, non-exempt. JRA is an equal opportunity employer.

Additional Benefits: Professional development and growth opportunities. Work-life balance and dynamic, flexible work environment.

APPLY by submitting your resume and cover letter through this link by 5pm on March 20th, 2026.

 Seasonal Living Shoreline Stewardship & Outreach Assistant

Location: Williamsburg Region, Virginia
Telework: Hybrid
Experience: Entry Level
Job Status: Seasonal Part Time, Non-Exempt
Hourly Rate: $15/Hour, 30-40 hours/week
Reports to: Senior Coastal Restoration Manager
Duration: Tuesday May 26 – Friday Aug 14, 2026 (flexibility on start and end date, if needed)

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 a job opening for a Seasonal Living Shoreline and Marketing Program Assistant to be focused in the tidal James River watershed of Virginia. Work will be split between field activities and office-related work, with an option of teleworking from home and/or from JRA’s regional offices.

JRA’s Living Shorelines Program is focused on scaling up implementation of resilient shoreline protection projects in the tidal James River watershed, through use of nature-based designs that provide erosion control, habitat and water quality benefits, and buffer floodwaters. JRA increases installation of living shorelines by 1) working directly with property owners, providing technical assistance and cost share support, and 2) convening the Living Shoreline Collaborative, a network of partners and communities focused on building and sharing knowledge, increasing capacity, and elevating acceptance of living shorelines. This position will support several key initiatives, including: the Living Shoreline Cost Share Program, Marsh Stewards Program, and the Living Shoreline Collaborative.

This seasonal opportunity offers hands-on experience in coastal restoration, environmental stewardship, marketing and communications, along with opportunities to network with professionals across nonprofits, government, and academia. Note that the position may require driving to attend partner meetings and to access JRA’s living shoreline projects, which span from Hampton and Norfolk to Charles City County. This position will receive on the ground training in plant identification, and shoreline maintenance and assessment by JRA and partner staff. JRA will provide access to a laptop, and supplies needed for shoreline assessments. JRA intends to hire two people for this position.

Key Responsibilities:

Site Inspections & Monitoring (Cost Share Program):

• Assist with pre- and post-construction inspections of living shoreline sites
• Collect field data to assess living shoreline project success
• Support data management related to site assessments
• Conduct monitoring at sites through spatial data collection (e.g., GIS)

Community Engagement (Marsh Stewards Program):

• Help coordinate and support volunteer stewardship events (e.g., marsh plantings, invasive species removal, site cleanups)
• Assist with outreach materials, event logistics, and volunteer coordination
• Contribute to educational content creation for social media

Partnership & Program Support (Living Shoreline Collaborative):

• Support planning/coordination of Living Shoreline Collaborative meetings
• Assist with maintaining website, generating monthly LSC newsletter, and general marketing
• Other general duties as assigned such as blog writing, water quality monitoring, or other activities related to promoting and stewarding living shorelines

Qualifications:

• Interest in environmental science, marine biology, ecology, or related field
• Ability to conduct fieldwork in coastal/marsh environments and work in various weather conditions such as heat, rain, and cold
• Willing to participate in JRA’s random drug testing policy for vehicle operators
• A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Computer skills, particularly in word processing and record-keeping (Microsoft Word and Excel).
• Knowledge of or experience in GIS is a strong plus, although not required
• Excellent at problem-solving, meeting deadlines, following schedules, and overall time management in independent work
• Ability to coordinate with partners and collaborators via email and phone.
• Strong communications, analytical skills, teamwork, integrity, and reliability.

Compensation: JRA offers a dynamic and flexible work environment. Pay is set at $15/hour, 30-40 hours a week for 12 weeks. This position is part-time, non-exempt. JRA is an equal opportunity employer.

Additional Benefits: Professional development and growth opportunities. Work-life balance and dynamic, flexible work environment.

APPLY by submitting your resume and cover letter, and 3 references through this link by 5pm on March 20, 2026.

 Student Conservation Association – Individual Placement – Environmental Education Participant

Spend your days leading environmental education programs, guiding nature walks, and inspiring the next generation of conservationists at Presquile National Wildlife Refuge. This hands-on internship offers an immersive experience in outdoor education, youth engagement, and wildlife conservation while working alongside dedicated refuge staff and the James River Ecology School. With housing provided and plenty of time on the water and trails, this role is ideal for energetic, mission-driven individuals eager to build a career in environmental education or conservation.

Location: Charles City, VA

Schedule: April 13, 2026 – November 13, 2026

See the full job description on the SCA Website.

Open Request For Proposals/Statements of Qualification

The James River Association is requesting Statement of Qualifications (SOQs) from qualified consultants to assess and improve internal systems and processes that address the administrative and operational challenges associated with managing diverse funding streams for their collaborative riparian forest buffer initiatives.

Please direct questions to Amber Ellis, Restoration Director, aellis@thejamesriver.org . Submittals should be emailed by close of business on Friday, February 13, 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?

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 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!