Associate Director, River Restoration, Great Lakes
TITLE: Associate Director, River Restoration, Great Lakes
CLASSIFICATION: Associate Director II
WAGE CATEGORY: Band B
DEPARTMENT: Conservation
REPORTS TO: Great Lakes Regional Director
LOCATION: Great Lakes Region; remote working location preferably within Michigan
Click here to apply
ABOUT AMERICAN RIVERS
American Rivers is a national conservation organization working to make every river clean and healthy for people and wildlife. We combine evidence-based solutions with enduring partnerships to safeguard the 4.4 million miles of rivers and streams that are essential to our nation’s clean drinking water, extraordinary wildlife, and the strength of our communities. For more than 50 years, our staff, supporters, and partners have been driven by a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers.
The beauty of rivers is that they connect all people and communities – including within our organization. The life experiences, knowledge, innovation, and talent that different people bring to our work provides perspectives, experiences, and competencies which are critical to our effectiveness in protecting wild rivers, restoring damaged rivers, and conserving clean water for people and nature.
JOB SUMMARY
The Associate Director of River Restoration will lead American Rivers’ efforts to grow the practice of dam removal as a tool for river restoration, aquatic connectivity, and public safety. The position will be responsible for building successful aquatic connectivity programs and partnerships, developing and implementing dam removal projects, and supporting efforts to strengthen state and federal programs to advance aquatic connectivity across the states that comprise the American Rivers’ Great Lakes Region—Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
This position offers a meaningful opportunity to gain expertise and grow as a leader in the field of dam removal and river restoration. The successful candidate will have the initiative to identify and develop dam removal projects, while also leading efforts to strategically build regional capacity in partnership with nonprofit, municipal, state, federal, and Tribal entities. They must demonstrate strong initiative, strategic thinking, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. The position will be responsible for the region’s role in reaching American Rivers’ national goal of removing 30,000 dams and reopening 300,000 river miles by 2050.
The position will report to the Great Lakes Region and be an active member of American Rivers’ Dam Removal Community of Practice, our national collaboration of staff working to scale dam removal. The Associate Director will receive direct mentoring and oversight from senior staff within the Dam Removal Program, ensuring alignment with national strategies and best practices.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop and implement a strategy to expand the practice of dam removal by:
- Supporting, developing, and leading dam removal and aquatic connectivity partnerships in the region
- Cultivating and providing training opportunities for new project managers
- Identifying and pursuing new funding sources
- Enhancing incentives for dam owners to consider dam removal
- Work to increase the number of dam removal projects throughout the six Great Lakes states by:
- Identifying and developing new projects
- Managing high-priority dam removal projects
- Assisting key partners to complete dam removal projects
- Collaborate with the National Dam Removal Program to grow the number of practitioners through trainings, convenings, and shared resources
- Manage grants and contracts, including selection and oversight of consultants, processing invoices, and tracking expenditures
- Represent American Rivers at technical meetings, conferences, press events, and other forums, including through high-quality, timely written communications
- Participate in and support project and programmatic fundraising in collaboration with other staff across the organization
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Five or more years of applicable professional experience in the conservation field, related to river restoration, aquatic connectivity, dam removal, fisheries habitat, geomorphology, hydrology, and/or engineering
- Understanding of effective river restoration approaches, including demonstrated interest in advancing the practice of dam removal
- Prior experience in securing funding from government grants, foundations, and/or major donors to complete projects and sustain programs
- Demonstrated experience and strength in the following areas: project management, verbal
and written communications, critical thinking, and the ability to work independently while managing multiple projects and priorities - Demonstrated initiative and creativity, with a continual drive to improve program
operations - Excellent personal organization and time management skills
- Willingness and ability to travel as needed, sometimes overnight, is required
Candidates who are unsure if they meet all minimum qualifications or who have transferable skills and experience beyond the conservation sector are encouraged to apply.
LOCATION
This position is located within American Rivers’ six-state “Great Lakes Region.” The successful candidate must be able to work from a home office located within any of these states, preferably within Michigan.
COMPENSATION
American Rivers offers marketable compensation that reflects the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. The salary range for this position is $73,200-89,400 annually, depending on experience and qualifications. We provide a comprehensive Total Rewards package to our full-time, regular employees, including:
- Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, long-term and short-term disability, and life insurance.
- Financial Security: After one year of service, American Rivers begins contributing a 3% employer contribution. There is no vesting schedule for employer contributions, as employees are 100% vested upon participation.
- Time Off: Four weeks of paid leave, eleven paid holidays, three floating holidays, and sick leave.
At American Rivers, we are committed to supporting our employees’ well-being, professional growth, and financial security, ensuring they can thrive both at work and in life.
COMMUNITY AND OPPORTUNITY
- At American Rivers, our core values drive everything we do – we Lead with Collaboration and Trust, Infuse Equity and Justice, Deliver Results, and Ensure Staff and Volunteers Thrive. We are committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to make a difference.
- Our culture prioritizes work-life thriving through Focus Fridays (no internal meetings), professional development opportunities, a home office stipend, and our comprehensive leave policies, including sabbatical leave (every seven years) and paid parental leave (six weeks w/ one year of service).
- We also ensure leadership stays connected to staff needs through an internal advisory group, fostering open communication and continuous improvement.
- At American Rivers, our people are our strength, and we are dedicated to building a thriving, inclusive workplace where everyone can grow and contribute to our mission.
Click here to apply
American Rivers is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request reasonable accommodation, please contact the Human Resources department at 202-243-7040 or recruitment@americanrivers.org. Please note that one week’s advance notice is preferred.
Posting for this position will close on January 2, 2026.
Applicant must be legally allowed to work as an employee in the United States.
American Rivers is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates of all personal and professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
