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
None at this time.
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
Community Conservation Coordinator
Location: Richmond, VA
Hybrid Position: Approximately 80% on-site and 20% telework
Experience: Entry Level
Number of Openings: 1
Job Status: Part time, non exempt
Position Term: September 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027
Hourly Wage: $20.00 per hour, maximum of 30 hours per week
Reports to: Community Conservation Manager
The James River Association, JRA, is a nonprofit organization on a mission to protect the James River and connect people to it. JRA is excited to announce an opening for a Community Conservation Coordinator. In this role, you will support community based conservation and stewardship programs across the James River watershed, with a primary focus on JRA’s River Hero Homes program and the Greening Richmond Public Libraries initiative.
JRA’s Community Conservation team empowers residents to implement river friendly practices at home and works with communities to better manage stormwater runoff through the use of gray and green infrastructure. This community driven approach to conservation and stewardship supports residents, strengthens neighborhoods, and advances cleanup plans for the James River to meet Chesapeake Bay and local water quality goals.
We’re looking for someone with strong communication and organizational skills, an interest in community engagement and environmental stewardship, and a desire to help connect people to actions that protect the James River.
Responsibilities
River Hero Homes
- Plan, schedule, and lead educational River Hero Homes workshops and webinars in collaboration with JRA’s Director of Community Conservation, Community Conservation Manager, communications team, and regional staff members
• Create educational content for JRA’s website, newsletters, and social media accounts in collaboration with JRA’s Community Conservation and communications teams
• Facilitate annual and monthly River Hero Homes membership mailings
• Track key performance indicators and support evaluation of River Hero Homes program impact
Greening Richmond Public Libraries
- Participate in regularly scheduled Greening Richmond Public Libraries team meetings
• Support community engagement activities, including in person and virtual meetings
• Plan, schedule, and lead educational programs at Richmond Public Library branches
• Support planning and implementation of community planting events
• Support Green Infrastructure Stewards volunteer events
• Track key performance indicators and support evaluation of the Greening Richmond Public Libraries initiative
Professional Growth
- Embed with other JRA programs to develop a broader understanding of the organization and its work across the watershed
- Successfully complete an American Red Cross First Aid, CPR, and AED course
- Successfully complete Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Level 1 Certification
Qualifications
- Associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience
• Interest in conservation, community engagement, environmental education, or related fields
• Experience supporting or leading educational programs, community events, or volunteer activities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google products
• Knowledge of environmental issues facing the James River and its communities
Requirements
- Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
• Ability to work a part time schedule, up to 30 hours per week, during the position term
• Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends for community meetings, programs, or volunteer events
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with staff, partners, volunteers, and community members
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a timely and organized manner
• Ability to lift and carry tools, trees, plants, and other project materials, up to 50lbs
• Ability to drive JRA fleet vehicles and tow trailers, or willingness to be trained
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Experience with volunteer recruitment, coordination, or stewardship events
• Experience leading workshops, webinars, or public education programs
• Experience with community engagement or neighborhood based conservation work
• Familiarity with stormwater management, green infrastructure, trees, native plants, or river friendly practices
• Comfort working with a wide range of people, partners, and community groups
• Interest in the James River, watershed conservation, and community based environmental work
Competitive Salary & Benefits Package
This is a part time, non exempt position based in Richmond, Virginia. The hourly wage for this position is $20.00 per hour, with a maximum of 30 hours per week.
Part time employees are not eligible for JRA’s full time employee benefits package, but may be eligible for third party benefits through Corestream and Paychex. This position also offers professional development and growth opportunities, hands on experience in community conservation, and the opportunity to support meaningful stewardship work across the James River watershed.
APPLY HERE by submitting your resume and cover letter with this link.
Open Request For Proposals/Statements of Qualification
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!
