Associate Director, Hydropower Reform Coalition

American Rivers, Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 62,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

American Rivers seeks an Associate Director for the Hydropower Reform Coalition to serve as the connective hub for a 160+ member coalition, aligning people, information, and strategy to advance shared goals. The role emphasizes coordination, facilitation, and leadership within a national network of partners and Indigenous Tribes.

The candidate will manage Coalition operations, design tools and trainings, and contribute to advocacy efforts, communications, and knowledge management, with travel as

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of professional experience in conservation, public policy, nonprofit coordination, or a related field (education may substitute for experience).
• Interest in environmental policy and willingness to build expertise in hydropower licensing and regulatory processes.
• Familiarity with environmental laws (e.g., Federal Power Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, NEPA) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Coalition Coordination, Facilitation, and Engagement: Serve as a central hub for Coalition coordination—connecting members, tracking priorities, promoting information sharing, and ensuring consistent follow-through across initiatives.
• Policy Engagement and Capacity Building: Build working knowledge of the federal hydropower licensing process and related policy frameworks; support members and Indigenous Tribes in engaging with licensing and policy processes.
• Communications and Knowledge Management: Manage internal communications, synthesize updates for diverse audiences, and support external communications and funder communications.
• Operations, Planning, and Program Support: Lead logistical planning of Coalition convenings, meetings, and events; assist with budgeting and grant coordination; maintain organizational systems.

Skills

Coordination

Organizational skills

Communication

Relationship building

Facilitation

Tools

Google Workspace

Microsoft Office

Slack

MailChimp

WordPress

Job description

Associate Director, Hydropower Reform Coalition

Condit Dam (removed in 2011), Washington | Thomas OKeefe

JOB TITLE:Associate Director, Hydropower Reform Coalition
POSITION CLASSIFICATION:Associate Director I
SALARY BAND:Band B
REPORTS TO:Director, Hydropower Reform
LOCATION:Remote within California, Pacific Northwest, Great Lakes/Upper Mid-west, and Northeast

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 ourorganization. The life experiences, knowledge, innovation, and talent that different people bringto our work provides perspectives, experiences, and competencies which are critical to oureffectiveness in protecting wild rivers, restoring damaged rivers, and conserving clean water forpeople and nature.

ABOUT THE HYDRPOWER REFORM COALITION
The Hydropower Reform Coalition (HRC) is a national consortium of more than 160 conservation and recreation organizations working to protect and restore rivers impacted by hydropower dams. Founded in 1992, the Coalition focuses exclusively on Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)-licensed hydropower projects and has a strong track record of advancing policy reform and restoring rivers’ cultural, environmental, and recreational values. American Rivers serves as the Coalition’s fiscal sponsor and a steering committee co-chair.

JOB SUMMARY
The Associate Director, Hydropower Reform Coalition is a pivotal role at the center of a dynamic national network. This position serves as the Coalition’s connective hub—ensuring that people, information, and strategy are aligned to advance shared goals.

This is a highly collaborative, fast-paced role for someone who is both a strong coordinator and an emerging leader. The Associate Director, Hydropower Reform Coalition will take ownership of key aspects of Coalition operations and engagement, helping to drive progress across a complex, multi-stakeholder landscape. They will identify gaps, anticipate needs, and take initiative to move work forward—while also supporting and amplifying the leadership of Coalition members, Tribal partners, and staff.

The ideal candidate thrives in complexity, is energized by bringing people together, and is eager to build expertise in hydropower policy. They are equally comfortable managing logistics and administrative systems as they are facilitating conversations, synthesizing information, and helping shape collective strategy.

Working closely with Coalition leadership, this role plays a critical part in enabling effective collaboration, strengthening member engagement, and increasing the Coalition’s overall impact.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Coalition Coordination, Facilitation, and Engagement

• Serve as a central hub for Coalition coordination—connecting members, tracking priorities, promoting information sharing, and ensuring consistent follow-through across initiatives.
• Plan, facilitate, and support Coalition meetings, caucuses, and working groups to ensure productive, inclusive, and action-oriented engagement.
• Strengthen relationships across Coalition members and partners, fostering collaboration and alignment.
• Proactively identify gaps, challenges, or opportunities within Coalition efforts and take initiative to address them.

Policy Engagement and Capacity Building

• Build working knowledge of the federal hydropower licensing process and related policy frameworks.
• Support Coalition members, Indigenous Tribes, and partners in engaging with hydropower licensing and policy processes.
• Coordinate and contribute to joint advocacy efforts, including comments, letters, and strategy development.
• Help design and deliver tools, trainings, and resources that make complex policy processes more accessible.

Communications and Knowledge Management

• Manage and streamline internal communications to ensure timely, clear, and actionable information-sharing.
• Synthesize complex information into accessible updates, summaries, and materials for diverse audiences.
• Support external communications, including storytelling, basic media engagement, and funder communications.

Operations, Planning, and Program Support

• Lead logistical planning and execution of Coalition convenings, meetings, and events.
• Support grant tracking, reporting, and fundraising coordination in partnership with Coalition leadership.
• Assist with budgeting processes and help ensure transparent and equitable distribution of funds.
• Maintain strong organizational systems to manage projects, timelines, and Coalition resources.

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in meetings with Coalition members, partners, and agencies, as appropriate.
• Travel occasionally to support Coalition activities and relationship-building.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Professional Experience & Knowledge

• 3–5 years of professional experience in conservation, public policy, nonprofit coordination, or a related field (education may substitute for experience).
• Interest in environmental policy and willingness to build expertise in hydropower licensing and regulatory processes.
• Familiarity with environmental laws (e.g., Federal Power Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, NEPA) is a plus.

Project Management & Organizational Skills

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate complex projects or partnerships involving multiple stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and keep work on track.
• Proven initiative and problem-solving ability—comfortable identifying needs and acting without waiting for direction.

Communication & Relationship Building

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships across diverse partners, including Indigenous communities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize and translate complex information.
• Experience facilitating meetings, supporting collaborative processes, or convening groups.

Technical & Administrative Tools

• Familiarity with or willingness to learn tools such as Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Slack, MailChimp, and WordPress.

Collaboration, Fundraising & Coalition Development

• Experience with fundraising, grant coordination, or coalition-building is desirable.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and collaborative approaches.

Mission Alignment & Commitment

• Passion for protecting and restoring rivers and watersheds.
• Willingness to travel occasionally and hold a valid U.S. driver’s license.

Candidates who are unsure if they meet all minimum qualifications or who have transferrable skills andexperience beyond the conservation sector are encouraged to apply.

LOCATION
Remote within California, Pacific Northwest, Great Lakes/Upper Mid-west, and Northeast.

COMPENSATION
American Rivers offers marketable compensation that reflects the qualifications and experienceof the selected candidate. The salary range for this position is $61,800-$75,600, annually, dependingon 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 lifeinsurance.
• Financial Security: After one year of service, American Rivers begins contributing a 3%employer contribution. There is no vesting schedule for employer contributions asemployees are 100% vested upon participation.
• Time Off: Four weeks of paid leave, eleven paid holidays, three floating holidays, andsick leave.

At American Rivers, we are committed to supporting our employee’s well-being, professional growth, and financial security, ensuring they can thrive both at work and in life.

COMMUNITY AND OPPORTUNITY

• At American Rivers, ourcore values drive everything we do – we Lead with Collaboration andTrust, Infuse Equity and Justice, Deliver Results, and Ensure Staff and Volunteers Thrive. Weare committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, andempowered 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 leavepolicies, 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.

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 [e-mail] . Please note that one week’s advance notice is preferred.

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.