Employment

About RiverLink

RiverLink is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the environmental and economic vitality of the French Broad River watershed for all. This project advances RiverLink’s commitment to restoring native ecosystems while building regional partnerships that strengthen flood resilience, biodiversity, and long-term water quality. The creation of this grant-funded engagement is in response to the impacts of Tropical Storm Helene, which severely damaged streambanks throughout Western North Carolina, and recognizes the critical role native river cane can play in recovery by stabilizing streambanks and increasing resilience to future flooding. This contractor will provide the dedicated capacity needed to stimulate commercial river cane propagation, widespread restoration, and partnerships across the region.

Engagement Type: Independent Contractor -Grant-Funded Project
Contract Term: 18 Months, starting in early October 2026
Contract Amount: $72,000, paid in 18 monthly installments in accordance with the agreed project scope and deliverables
Flexible Schedule: The contractor will establish their own work schedule and methods for accomplishing the project deliverables. The project is anticipated to require an average level of effort equivalent to approximately 30 hours per week, but the actual time will vary based on project milestones, seasonal needs, and events.

Engagement Summary

RiverLink seeks an experienced, self-motivated contractor to coordinate an innovative regional river cane propagation initiative focused on expanding the availability of native river cane for restoration projects throughout Western North Carolina. This grant-funded engagement will manage project implementation, support participating growers, cultivate partnerships, and coordinate educational events.

The Project Manager will apply an entrepreneurial mindset while serving as the central point of contact for this project among growers, restoration practitioners, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and public agencies with the goal of promoting river cane restoration and building long-term regional capacity. The Project Manager will coordinate with RiverLink’s Director of Programs, Renee Fortner, who will serve as RiverLink’s primary organizational contact for the project.

Key Deliverables

Project Management

• Coordinate all aspects of the River Cane Restoration Project from initiation through final reporting.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, timelines, and deliverables.
• Track project milestones and ensure grant objectives are achieved.
• Manage communications among growers, restoration practitioners, and project partners. 

Grower Coordination

• Develop proposed grower agreements and coordinate their execution in accordance with RiverLink’s contracting and approval procedures. .
• Provide technical guidance and coordinate communication throughout the project.
• Assist growers with documenting propagation methods and collecting project data.
• Monitor progress toward propagation goals.

Network Development

• Work collaboratively to build and facilitate a regional River Cane Consortium consisting of nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, commercial growers, restoration practitioners, and tribal/government agencies. 
• Develop relationships with retail nurseries, restoration organizations, and future buyers to create long-term markets for propagated river cane.

Outreach & Communications

• Develop creative and informative content for project promotion through social media, newsletters, and blog articles.
• Create and maintain a project webpage that serves as a river cane educational resource and repository for project findings.
• Increase public awareness of river cane’s ecological and cultural importance.

Events & Education

• Plan and coordinate propagation workshops, grower roundtable discussions, and networking events for growers and potential clientele.
• Provide educational presentations.

Reporting & Documentation

• Collect and organize project data from participating growers.
• Document propagation successes, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Develop a comprehensive final project report. 

Desired Qualifications

Required Experience

• 3–5 years of experience in project management and/or creating & operating a business.  
• Experience coordinating events, workshops, or educational programming.
• Experience building partnerships across a diversity of organizations and stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity and/or knowledge of WNC native plants. 
• Marketing experience
• Experience with grant-funded projects and reporting.
• Experience developing web content and managing social media communications.

Desired Skills

• Self-starter who takes initiative, identifies opportunities, develops creative solutions, and confidently moves projects forward with minimal supervision.
• Strong project management and organizational abilities
• Excellent networking and relationship-building skills
• Strong writing and editing skills
• Event planning and facilitation experience
• Data collection and documentation skills
• Marketing and public outreach experience
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace and basic website platforms
• Reliable transportation for travel throughout Western North Carolina is required

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to katy@riverlink.org. Applications will be accepted until September 13, 2026. This engagement will begin in early October.

RiverLink is committed to providing equal opportunity in its contracting and organizational policies. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.