Employment

RiverLink is seeking an experienced development professional to join a 35-year old organization with a proven track record of promoting and supporting the environmental and economic vitality of the French Broad River and its watershed.  We seek someone, preferably with a nonprofit background, who is passionate about water quality, environmental education, and land conservation. This is an exciting professional growth opportunity that will involve working with a committed team of staff and outside fundraising counsel to raise annual funds for our programs, advance the conversion of a former junkyard into Karen Cragnolin Park, and to revitalize the Woodfin Riverfront with the completion of an ambitious Woodfin Greenway and Blueway project. Working in collaboration with the Executive Director, the Development Director will spearhead fundraising efforts and will work as part of a fundraising team that includes the Executive Director, Operations Manager, Communications Manager, and outside fundraising consultants. 

Title: Development Director

Reports to: Executive Director, Board of Directors

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement an annual fundraising plan to reach or exceed annual fundraising goals.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
• Manage SalsaLabs CRM database to track donor information and guide strategic decision making in support of fundraising goals.
• Serve as the staff leader for the Board Development and Communications Committee. Facilitate Board involvement in prospect identification, cultivation and acknowledgement.
• Create and implement a strategy for growing our monthly giving program.
• Make public appearances with key community stakeholders to represent RiverLink and share programs and results.
• Prepare monthly reports to the Executive Director and development committee to track progress towards fundraising and engagement goals.
• Collaborate with board and staff in the organization and implementation of fundraising, donor, and member events.
• Work with the Communications Manager to develop communications materials for use in fundraising and sponsor solicitation.
• Identify potential grant sources and draft fund proposals, prepare funder reports, and manage a grants calendar.
• Work collaboratively with outside campaign counsel and volunteers to support efforts to raise funds for significant capital projects.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and more than five years of experience in development and fundraising.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and work with a  board development committee to further fundraising initiatives.
• Demonstrated excellence in managerial, communication and organizational skills. Comfortable routinely presenting to community groups. 
• Strong interpersonal and written skills. Computer savvy and able to learn new programs quickly.
• Capacity and experience to create high quality reports and use current database and fundraising technology to drive performance and achieve annual goals.
• Adherence to Association of Fundraising Professionals code of ethics “to ensure that needed resources are vigorously and ethically sought and that the intent of the donor is honestly fulfilled.”

Salary & Benefits:

• Commensurate with experience as part of a competitive benefits and compensation package.

Mission, Vision & Values:

RiverLink promotes the environmental and economic vitality of the French Broad River and its Watershed.  Our vision is that by 2030 RiverLink will be a national model for our success at revitalizing and restoring the French Broad River Watershed from Rosman to Hot Springs where each community values the river as a place to Live, Learn, Work, and Play. We believe in respectful and valued relationships, teamwork, empowerment and accountability, honesty and integrity, and excellence in execution, with a focus on continued improvement and creating tangible and lasting results. 

We are an equal opportunity employer that supports workplace diversity. We carefully consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status. We value diversity and are committed to an inclusive workforce.

To Apply:

• Please send a cover letter with salary requirements and resume to info@riverlink.org and include Development Director as the subject.

Deadline: Position is open until filled. Please apply by May 7, 2021 for priority consideration.

Our French Broad RiverCamp (FBRC) seeks to educate and empower the next generation of watershed stewards. FBRC provides summer opportunities for river and watershed exploration for rising 3rd-8th grade students. We’re looking for counselors to help guide campers through hands-on environmental education, river recreation, and service-learning projects.

Title: RiverCamp Counselor

Reports to: Education Coordinator & Education & Outreach Manager

Duration: June 14^th-25^th & July 5^th-16^th about 40 hours/week. Mandatory orientation on June 10^th and 11th.

Pay: $17.30/hour

Location:  Based in Asheville, NC. Activities are throughout the French Broad River Watershed

Responsibilities:

• Supervise and help facilitate activities for up to 12 campers from 8:30am-4pm.
  • Activities include river recreation (rafting, swimming, canoeing), environmental education lessons, and service-learning (e.g. habitat restoration and river clean-ups)
• Compassionately and appropriately manage camper behavior.
• Share duties associated with transporting campers in a 15-passenger van.
• Provide post-care for campers from 4pm to 5:30pm.
• Communicate professionally with parents and guardians.
• Represent RiverLink well and help campers to do the same while in public.
• Engage campers in icebreakers, games or other activities during downtime.

Requirements:

• Candidates must be 18 years of age and eligible to work legally in the United States.
• Clean driving record, with experience and comfort driving large vehicles preferred.
• Ability to pass a background check.
• Must be able to attend each day of camp and the orientation.
• Ability to work outdoors six hours a day and to engage in or assist with physical activities including river recreation and river cleanups (may include heavy lifting)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge about stream ecology and environmental science is preferred.  
• Experience and passion for working with youth, preferably with ages 8-14.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations and make decisions that reflect the importance of camper and staff safety.
• Able to work closely with other counselors and the camp director.
• Ability to communicate effectively with parents and campers.
• A positive attitude, and patience working with campers and parents.

To Apply

Please email Justin Young, Program Manager, at justin@riverlink.org with:

• A brief cover letter stating your interest and qualifications
• Resume
• Any relevant certifications (CPR, First Aid, etc.)
• Availability

Deadline: Applications are due by May 7^th 2021, with positions open until filled.

RiverLink’s Education Coordinator works with school groups and the general public to lead lessons in stream ecology. The main goal of these lessons is to expand students’ knowledge of aquatic ecosystems and empower the next generation of watershed stewards. Activities will include visual stream surveys, operating an interactive stream table, leading biomonitoring/fish electroshocking, water chemical testing and more. All lessons integrate NC Essential Standards, STEM education methods, and inquiry based learning.

The Education Coordinator will also foster appreciation for the river as a source of creative inspiration, and a space to play and explore. They will host an art and poetry contest where students will submit work inspired by their time on the river. They will also lead 4 weeks of summer camp, where they’ll guide 3rd-8th graders as they discover the beauty of the watershed.

RiverLink’s Stewardship Coordinator works to protect and steward lands that are critical to water quality including wetland, flood plain, riparian and steep slope areas. This position will use ArcGIS to assist with land conservation activities such as easement monitoring, and baseline document reports. This position will also provide one-on-one education to conservation easement landowners and watershed residents. The stewardship coordinator will build stewardship of the river and watershed by leading service projects with community groups including river & stream cleanups, invasive plant removal, streambank plantings and more.

The Watershed Coordinator works to improve water quality in the French Broad River Watershed. This is accomplished through grant funded watershed restoration projects (stream restorations, watershed planning studies, and stormwater best management practices); educating the community about water quality and quantity issues; In this position you will assist with project management, grant writing, community outreach and volunteer engagement.