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

Donor Engagement Coordinator

Location: Richmond, VA
Telework: Hybrid
Experience: Early to Mid Career
Number of Openings: 1
Job Status: Exempt
Salary Range: $45,000 to $55,000 annually
Reports to: Assistant Director of Development

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 Donor Engagement Coordinator. In this role, you will support donor engagement efforts through event planning, sponsorship coordination, guest communications, and development operations that help strengthen relationships and generate philanthropic support for JRA’s mission.

This position will play an important role in coordinating fundraising and cultivation events, managing event related logistics and communications, supporting sponsorship fulfillment, and helping create meaningful experiences for donors, partners, and community members. The role is ideal for someone who enjoys details, relationship building, and bringing people together in support of a mission driven organization. We are looking for someone with strong communication and organizational skills, a passion for event planning and donor engagement, and a personal interest in the James River.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate logistics for fundraising, donor cultivation, and community engagement events across the James River watershed
•  Support event planning and execution, including timelines, vendor coordination, site visits, materials preparation, guest management, and day of event support
• Help manage event communications, including invitations, guest updates, sponsor communications, and post event follow up
• Assist with sponsorship coordination, including tracking benefits, preparing materials, managing deliverables, and supporting sponsor stewardship
• Maintain accurate event records, budgets, invoices, payment tracking, and related account information
•  Support donor engagement efforts by helping manage guest lists, seating, RSVPs, donor details, and event follow through
• Coordinate with volunteers, staff, vendors, committees, and partners to support seamless event execution
• Partner with Development and Marketing teammates to align event messaging, timelines, printed materials, and donor communications
• Assist with creating development and event materials such as sponsorship packets, brochures, signage, programs, and other engagement tools
• Track event outcomes, participation, and engagement details to support reporting and future planning
• Provide administrative and project support for additional development activities, donor stewardship efforts, and team priorities as assigned

Qualifications:

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and details at once
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a high level of professionalism
• Ability to build positive relationships with donors, sponsors, vendors, volunteers, board members, and internal staff
• Strong attention to detail while maintaining a clear sense of priorities and goals
• Takes initiative and follows through on tasks, communications, and deliverables in a timely manner
• Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in a fast paced environment
• Passion for conservation, community, and mission driven work
• Promotes and adheres to JRA’s mission, vision, and values, along with organizational policies and applicable laws, in a fair and equitable manner

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or equivalent professional experience
• 2 or more years of experience in event planning, fundraising support, donor engagement, hospitality, marketing, or a related field
• Experience coordinating projects with multiple stakeholders and moving parts
• Ability to manage logistics, timelines, and communications with care and consistency
• Strong computer skills, including Google Workspace and Microsoft Office
• Ability to travel and work occasional evenings or weekends as needed for events and donor activities
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Successfully complete pre employment background screening

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience with CRM systems, particularly Salesforce
• Experience supporting fundraising events, sponsorships, or donor stewardship initiatives
•  Experience with guest tracking, event registration systems, or payment coordination
• Strong writing skills for donor communications, invitations, and event related materials
• Graphic design or event materials support experience preferred
• Creative thinking, flexibility, and an action oriented approach to work

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 per year, twelve paid holidays, and 401(k) matched contributions. Professional development and growth opportunities. Work life balance and dynamic, hybrid and flexible work environment. The exempt salary range for this full time position is $45,000 to $55,000 annually, depending upon several factors including education and work experience.

Apply by submitting your resume and cover letter HERE. This position will remain open until filled.

 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.

Open Request For Proposals/Statements of Qualification

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!