Northwest Communications Director

ABOUT AMERICAN RIVERS
American Rivers is championing a national effort to protect and restore all rivers, from remote mountain streams to urban waterways. Healthy rivers provide people and nature with clean, abundant water and natural habitat. For 50 years, American Rivers’ staff, supporters, and partners have shared a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers.

American Rivers centers the ongoing work of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in all that we do. The beauty of rivers is that they connect all people and communities, and we seek to build and embody this diversity in our organization and throughout the conservation field. The life experiences, knowledge, innovation, and talent that everyone brings 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

With Regions across the country, American Rivers’ Northwest Region serves Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. Regional programs include: riverscape restoration – dam removal and floodplain restoration; hydropower reform; and wild & scenic river and public lands protections.

The Northwest Communications Director works with our conservation team and partners to tell the story of northwest rivers and the communities that depend on them. We are looking for someone who will work with internal and external teams to develop communications strategies and plans and build relationships with partners and media outlets to effectively message and amplify conservation work in the region.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate internal and external project teams to develop, implement, and adapt communications strategies and plans.
• Manage and delegate communications work for diverse coalitions made up of Tribal nations, irrigators, farmers, federal, state, and local agencies, special purpose districts, and non-profits. Develop content from conservation team and coalitions for multiple communications outlets including blogs, dispatches, newsletters, social media, op-eds, LTEs, editorial calendars, reactive communications, videos, fact sheets, and brand guidelines.
• Maintain strong internal communications with diverse coalitions of partners.
• Build relationships with partners and media outlets and coordinate communications response among multiple spokespeople.
• Identify new and innovative ways to tell river conservation stories to broader audiences.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking, effective communication, and the ability to facilitate partners and agency representatives in decision-making, consensus-building, and collaboration.
• Demonstrated strength in critical thinking, problem-solving, judgment, and dependability.
• Proven ability to project create communications calendars, manage deadlines and coordinate communications pushes for clients.
• Previous experience leading reactive communications, internal communications, multiple spokespeople, and external proactive pitches.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.
• Experience leading multi-agency teams of communicators with strong interpersonal, facilitation, and leadership skills, as well as the ability to work well with a diverse range of people. Experience working with government agencies, multicultural communities, Tribal nations and organizations, BIPOC, and Latinx communities.
• Strong project and contract management organizational skills, with demonstrated experience meeting challenging project deadlines by effectively managing teams and developing/managing project scope, schedule, and budgets.
• Proficiency in Adobe Suite, Canva, and Microsoft Office to produce communications content.
• 5 years’ experience in a communications or related field preferred.

LOCATION
Washington, DC hybrid preferred, though remote may be considered.

COMPENSATION AND  BENEFITS
The salary range for this position is $71,196-$80,070 annually depending upon qualifications and experience. Full-time employee benefits include health, dental, and life insurance; a retirement plan, training budget, sick leave, 11 paid holidays, four weeks of paid vacation, paid sabbaticals every seven years, and a 3% retirement match. American Rivers offers TIAA-CREF Social Choice, including green impact, as an investment option.

COMMUNITY AND OPPORTUNITY
Our community’s core values motivate us to Lead with Collaboration and Trust, Infuse Equity and Justice, Deliver Results, and Ensure Staff and Volunteers Thrive. American Rivers offers staff professional development and training opportunities, engages in equitable hiring and retention practices, has taken the Green 2.0 pay equity pledge and participates in the transparency report, provides “no meetings” weeks, and hosts People of Color, Accessibility, LGBTQAI+, Women's Leadership, Parents and Caregivers, and DEIJ affinity groups and committees led by staff and board members.

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 202-243-7050 or humanresources@americanrivers.org. 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