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.
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: 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.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice
We’re committed to embedding the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all parts of our work and our watershed. We acknowledge this takes time, intention, and effort. It requires truly listening to others, identifying shared goals, and charting a strategic course through collective action. People who have been historically marginalized in the James River Watershed have suffered injustices for far too long. At JRA, we recognize that at times our actions and inaction have contributed to the problem, and now we are stepping up to be part of the solution.
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.
Open Positions
Director of Education
Location: Richmond, VA
Telework: Hybrid
Experience: Mid-Senior
Number of Openings: 1
Job Status: Full Time, Exempt
Salary Range: $70K-$80K annually
Reports to: VP of Programs
The James River Association (JRA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the James River and connecting people to it. We are seeking a passionate Director of Education to join our team. In this role, you will inspire and lead a team of educators, develop and implement innovative environmental science curricula, and drive strategic education initiatives. You will foster collaboration with staff, partners, community members, and students while building and maintaining professional relationships to support JRA’s strategic plan and goals.
If you have strong communication and interpersonal skills, a proven track record in educational program development and team leadership, and a personal interest in the James River and environmental conservation, we encourage you to apply and join us in making a difference.
Responsibilities:
People Leadership: Inspire and motivate a diverse group of educators. Participate in talent management processes and support the growth and development of education department staff.
Strategic Plan Implementation: Align education program initiatives with JRA’s 5-year strategic plan, ensuring all activities contribute to our long-term goals.
Grant Management: Collaborate weekly with the Director of Grants to assess grant needs, including applications, reports, and media posts. Ensure that grant-related activities align with our educational goals and strategic objectives.
Curriculum Development: Lead the development and creation of new curricula in collaboration with teachers, students, and staff. Ensure that curricula inspire environmental stewardship, meet educational standards (SOLs) Virginia Standards of Learning and serve the diverse needs of our student population.
Professional Networking: Build and maintain strong professional relationships with members of school districts, institutions, partners and the community. Represent and advocate for our educational programs within the broader educational community.
Teaching Methods Monitoring: Oversee the implementation and progress of new and existing teaching methods, ensuring compliance with Virginia’s educational requirements, such as literacy standards. Stay informed about emerging educational trends and technologies to continuously improve teaching methods.
Program Evaluation and Reporting: Conduct thorough evaluations of educational programs and methods monthly and quarterly. Prepare and present detailed, measurable education data reports to senior management, the Board, and other relevant stakeholders.
Talent Management: Collaborate with the People and Culture Manager to source and retain educational staff. Forecast and communicate existing and future staffing needs to ensure the department’s long-term success.
Professional Development: Support and implement continuous professional development for JRA educators to maintain a high level of teaching quality. Identify areas for improvement among educational staff and schedule relevant workshops and training sessions that are aligned with MWEEs (Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience) and keep JRA educators current with important river-related issues.
Field Experience Scheduling: Support and oversee the implementation of Event Pro software to ensure schedule accuracy across all education teams. Oversee logistics and ensure smooth execution of field experiences.
Qualifications:
- Demonstrated skills and passion for environmental education and the ability to engage audiences in outdoor educational activities
- Exceptional professional written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience managing staff and budgets, particularly in a nonprofit environment.
- Proficiency in information management for reporting, especially for federal grants.
- Proven experience in writing grants and engaging in various types of fundraising.
- Experience in developing and managing team structures and fostering a positive team culture.
- Demonstrated experience embedding DEIJ in workplace settings, including identifying resources for ongoing DEIJ initiatives.
- Skilled in meeting facilitation for staff and stakeholders.
- Experience supporting experiential education and providing technical assistance for a diverse range of learners.
- Strong ability to manage and communicate effectively with diverse groups of people
- Flexibility to travel to different locations across the James River Watershed
Requirements:
- Master’s degree in Education, Education Leadership, or a related field
- Minimum of 6-8 years of experience in education administration or a similar role.
- Proven track record of curriculum development and implementation.
- Strong leadership and team management skills with the ability to inspire and motivate a team of education professionals.
- Excellent networking skills and relationship-building abilities.
- Ability to analyze and evaluate the performance of JRA’s education programs
- Ability to produce and present data or reports demonstrating progress of JRA’s education programs
- Familiarity with the Virginia Standards of Learning.
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- James River Watershed: Familiarity with its geography and diverse species.
- Paddling and Boating: Experience with paddling and general boat knowledge.
- Public School Operations: Knowledge of transportation logistics, substitute management, funding mechanisms, and scheduling processes.
- Interpersonal Skills: Ability to connect and engage with diverse personalities.
- Communication: Clear, concise, and effective interactions, especially in challenging situations.
Physical Requirements
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift 40-50 pounds at times.
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 $70,000-$80,000 annually, depending upon related credentials 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.
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!
