Employment

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: 1) Achieving a fully healthy James River; and 2) Helping communities within the watershed realize the benefits from a healthy James River and support protecting it.

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.

Williamsburg Seasonal Environmental Educator

The James River Association is seeking a seasonal environmental educator to be based out of our Williamsburg office who will lead education programs for elementary, middle, and high school students. This position will be responsible for working within a team of five Environmental Educators and assisting with educational programming within the Williamsburg and Hampton area. Education programs typically extend from August through May school year.

Position Summary:

The Lower James River Seasonal Environmental Educator will be an instrumental member of the education team in the Williamsburg area.  This position will be required to work within the team to facilitate field-based educational programming in the Williamsburg and Hampton area. The schedule of this position will include fluctuating hours with some night and weekend work.

Required Qualifications:

• A deep commitment to environmental and conservation issues, especially as it relates to the James River.
• Experience in the field of environmental, outdoor, and/or experiential education, with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in education, environmental science, or a related field. 
• Strong working knowledge of best practices in providing environmental education experience for secondary school-aged youth.
• Thorough knowledge of watershed systems and water quality issues.  Knowledge specific to the James River is highly preferred.
• Experience in leading canoeing trips with children and/or adults.
• Experience with lesson plans that are in accordance with Virginia Standards of Learning.

Compensation

This position will be compensated at an hourly rate of $20 per hour. 

To apply for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter by email to kferrell@thejamesriver.org  or by mail to:

James River Association
Attn: Katie Ferrell
16 South 17th Street, Suite 100
Richmond, VA 23219

Resumes will be reviewed as they are received.  The position will remain open until filled. Interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates starting August 24, 2023. Otherwise, no calls or visits, please.  JRA is an equal opportunity employer.  

Grants Associate

The James River Association (JRA) is seeking a Grants Associate to support JRA’s efforts to protect and restore the James River and the watershed.

Position Summary:

Annually JRA implements a comprehensive grants program to secure the funding necessary to support various aspects of our work, particularly in restoration and education. This includes funding from a variety of sources – family foundations, corporations, private foundations and governmental agencies. Once secured grants also require specific administration including tracking expenditures, monitoring grant activity against approved budgets, invoice management, reporting and contract management. This position will work collaboratively with other program staff to assist with grants management components and to fulfill funder requirements.

 This position will report to the Grants Director and will work directly with the Program Directors, and various program staff members. This is a hybrid position, with work being performed at home or from the Richmond office.

Primary Responsibilities

• Maintaining proficient knowledge of the organization’s history and programs.
• Developing relationships and collaborating with key program partners.
• Entering and managing grant data in JRA’s CRM database system (Salesforce). Including managing deadlines, application schedules, reporting and reimbursement schedules. Also ensuring payments are entered correctly and acknowledgements are sent.
• Working with a team to write grant proposals and gathering support documentation for grant application submissions.
• Providing guidance and developing necessary procedures to manage federal funding and to make sure JRA is operating to remain compliant with federal standards.
• Maintaining JRA’s Procurement Policies and Procedures document and consulting with program staff to manage components and update as needed.
• Organizing and maintaining all approved agreement templates for partners (including but not limited to partner agreements, subaward agreements, contracts, MOUs, RFPs. RFQs) and working with program staff to ensure appropriate documents are utilized.
• Managing process, documents and related invoices associated with agreements with other organizations where JRA serves in a subaward role.
• Compiling reporting including review of grant coding, expense reimbursements, progress and final reports
• Coordinating reporting requirements with various project partners/contractors including sending reminders for grant reporting and invoices, and receives and organizes this information to share with appropriate JRA staff.
• Researching new program funders for different support of programs across the James River watershed.
• Other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• 2+ years grants management experience including federal grant administration and reporting
• Intermediate to Advanced Microsoft Office knowledge and skills, especially Excel
• Proficient in Google-based products – Drive, Docs, Sheets, Forms, etc.
• Experience with Salesforce, or comparable customer relationship management platform, including entry and reporting
• Experience with Paychex and Quick Books to produce reports a plus
• Knowledge of Uniform Guidance and the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations)
• Working knowledge of federal payment management systems including ASAP
• Experience with using a variety of grant submission websites (grants.gov, Grant Source, Grant Solutions, Cyber Grants, etc.)

Skills & Abilities

• Team player
• Excellent communication and writing skills
• Highly organized and detailed
• Ability to work in a deadline driven environment
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize
• Ability to coordinate with partners and collaborators – including communicating with and working with diverse audiences.
• Independent worker, does not need close supervision

Compensation

JRA offers a dynamic and flexible work environment.  This is a full-time, exempt position. A generous and comprehensive benefits package is provided, including 4 weeks of PTO, 12 paid holidays, 4% 401(k) match, fully paid employee only health and dental coverage, Life and LTD insurance. Salary will be commensurate with experience; expected salary range $40-43K.  Please no calls. 

To apply for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter by email to Caron Sterling, Grants Director, at admin@thejamesriver.org.  Resumes will be reviewed as they are received.  The position will remain open until filled, but interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates starting August 2023.

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!