Altamaha Riverkeeper News

WATERSHED SPECIALIST JOB DESCRIPTION 

• The eyes, ears and voice of the Altamaha River including the Ohoopee and coast
• The face of the organization’s advocacy, education and investigation efforts
• An unbiased problem solver for reducing pollution while increasing the public’s appreciation and respect for the rivers in the watershed
• a leader in promoting the economic, environmental, scenic and recreational benefits of the Altamaha River including the Ohoopee and coast

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 

Altamaha Riverkeeper Patrol Program 

• Regularly patrol the watershed via land, air and water documenting, reporting, and addressing pollution issues 
• Respond to pollution complaints by patrolling, contacting appropriate authorities, and advising citizens
• Determine existing and potential threats, advocate for compliance with environmental laws and regulations
• Advocate for the cleanup of pollution sources by working with local citizens, media, businesses, partner organizations, and governments (including local, state, and federal agencies)
• Maintain patrol boat(s) and associated equipment

Legal & Advocacy 

• Regularly review (or oversee the review of) permitted discharges to verify compliance, and take appropriate action to ensure enforcement of serious violations 
• Document un-permitted pollution sources and discharges identified by the Riverkeeper Patrol Program and citizen reports, and work with the Executive Director to determine appropriate action
• Assist attorneys in the production of comment letters, briefs, documents such as Notices of Intent to Sue, legal motions, and other pertinent legal case duties in a timely and efficient manner
• Maintain timesheets for legal cases and lobbying to ensure compliance with recordkeeping best practices 
• Advocate for stronger policies and practices to protect the river, including writing comment letters, participating in collaborations and coalitions when beneficial
• Manage data necessary to inform comment letters, legal action, etc.

Education, Outreach & Awareness 

• Provide timely and comprehensive input and support to the Executive Director about Riverkeeper efforts for production of organization’s marketing and communications 
• Assist in the development of educational material and content in a variety of formats for presentations, social media, displays, and general outreach, in coordination with the Executive Director 
• Provide educational presentations throughout the watershed, in coordination with the Executive Director and other staff
• Respond to communication needs, such as media requests and interviews, as directed by the Executive Director
• Promote recreational access on the Altamaha River
• Seek positions of influence in the community to promote the organization, the mission, and river conservation

Fundraising 

• Develop and adhere to program budgets
• Build and cultivate relationships with donors and community leaders 
• Support staff members with event planning, production, and follow-up
• Participate in drafting and production of major appeal letters and in-person asks

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Must reside in or be willing to relocate to the Altamaha Watershed
• An understanding of aquatic ecosystems, watershed issues, regulatory issues, and the local factors that influence water quality on the Altamaha, Oconee, Ohoopee and Ocmulgee Rivers, and their lakes, and tributaries
• Experience and familiarity with water quality testing techniques, protocols, and equipment.
• Boating experience (or ability to learn quickly)
• Valid Georgia Driver’s License and experience towing and backing a trailer (or ability to acquire within two months)
• Bachelor’s degree in an environmental, science, or policy field and 3 year’s work experience in a relevant field. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to carry field and event equipment up to 50 lbs
• Demonstrated experience with grant and program management including grant-writing, organizational skills, budgeting, and coordination
• Demonstrated ability to speak confidently in a public forum
• Proficient in Mac OSX and Microsoft Office Products 

KEY CHARACTERISTICS 

Being a part of the Altamaha Riverkeeper team means being a good listener and collaborator, one who can work in diverse settings and with diverse populations. A successful team member: 

• is coachable, including receiving actionable feedback
• is very organized and has the ability to multi-task on projects  
• is a self-starter who produces high quality work
• has great attention to detail 
• has a strong work ethic to ensure tasks are completed efficiently and accurately 
• is a critical thinker with the ability to meet short-term and long-term goals
• shares our sense of urgency in improving water quality and protecting public health
• believes that everyone has a right to clean water 

BENEFITS 

being a part of the Altamaha Riverkeeper team provides great opportunities to grow as an individual and in your career as you protect the watershed. Our benefits and perks include: 

• generous vacation and leave policy, flex-time as compensation for occasionally working nights & weekends
• monthly healthcare stipend
• opportunities to participate in local, regional, and national conferences
• relaxed office environment

• staff retreats and outings on the river 
• ability to sleep well at night knowing you’re doing good work
• pro deals on 100s of outdoor brands like Patagonia, Mountain Khakis, etc.
• professional development to support your career goals 

To Apply, send resume and cover letter to fletcher@altamahariverkeeper.org

Salary Range: based on experience
Application Period: We will be accepting applications through June 15th. Please follow the instructions here to answer mandatory questions, upload resume, cover letter, and references. 

ABOUT US:  Altamaha Riverkeeper is a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization based in the Altamaha River watershed with offices in Macon and Brunswick Georgia. The Altamaha Riverkeeper is dedicated to the protection, defense and restoration of Georgia’s biggest river – the Altamaha – including its tributaries the Ocmulgee, the Oconee and the Ohoopee.

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Altamaha Riverkeeper (ARk) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind: Altamaha Riverkeeper is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at ARk are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to age, race, color, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations where we operate. We will not tolerate discrimination/harassment based on any of these characteristics.