The Ausable River Association (AsRA), a nonprofit conservation organization with a mission of advancing science and stewardship of Adirondack waters, seeks a qualified person to engage individuals and communities in caring for the freshwater resources of the Adirondack Park. The stewardship and outreach manager (SOM) will report to the executive director (ED) and be a member of AsRA’s program management team. We’re looking for an established mid-career professional with outreach, communications, and/or teaching experience, science and/or environmental stewardship training, excellent listening skills, creative initiative, and a passion for freshwater protection. Work will include community and landowner outreach, engaging residents and leaders at town board meetings, working with other staff to advance organizational partner relationships, speaking to civic and social organizations about freshwater stewardship opportunities in their communities, program offerings to schools, and hands-on science programming for kids and adults. A priority is to broaden the audience for our stewardship message and diversify the communities where we do our work. AsRA staff scientists will serve as resources and partners and a communications associate will provide program support.

With an annual budget of $2,100,000 in 2024, AsRA employs 10 full-time staff, several part-time seasonal science and outreach staff, and contractors. Working in and with communities, they provide scientific knowledge and practical tools to help everyone protect, restore, value, and enjoy the freshwater ecosystems of the Adirondacks. AsRA maintains an office in Wilmington, NY and a nursery and facilities in Lake Placid, NY. We have a hybrid work model that varies with position requirements and time of year. This position will be based at our offices in Wilmington, NY.

• Status: Full-time, exempt
• Salary: $60,000 – $65,000 anticipated starting range depending on experience, with excellent health, dental, vision, retirement, and paid time off benefits.
• Timeline: Applications due by June 14, 2024; interviews to follow, start date ASAP.

The ideal candidate is a creative, detail-oriented teacher and/or community action coordinator with practical science communication and listening skills. They have experience developing information-rich programming that inspires action and provides people with tools and pathways for pursuing that action. They are committed to identifying, reaching out to, and engaging diverse communities and people in the Adirondack Park with an emphasis on the Lake Champlain Basin portion of the park. Strong communication skills are essential to this position as is a sense of humor, willingness to listen, ask questions, share ideas, solve problems, and work creatively and critically in service to the waterways we protect and the strong team of staff that make it successful.

Core Responsibilities

• Manage and implement all aspects of AsRA’s empowered stewardship program including overseeing Stream Wise and the Ausable river steward programming.
• Contribute significantly to AsRA’s efforts to inform communities by identifying and facilitating community conversations regarding challenges to freshwater system health and pathways for finding solutions.
• Assist the executive director and program managers in planning for the educational functions of the Ausable Preserve and overseeing their implementation.
• Achieve the targets and goals of the grant that provides lead funding for the position, tracking progress, and reporting quarterly.
• Manage and track budgets working with AsRA finance and operations staff as needed.
• Engage coworkers, colleagues, experts, and the organization’s resources to engage communities in advancing shared goals and projects that benefit Adirondack streams, lakes, and wetlands.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (master’s degree preferred) and 5 years’ experience in an environmental informational, educational, policy, or community organizing position.
• Excellent speaking and writing skills and the ability to demonstrate this in the application and interview process.
• A capacity to grasp complex scientific processes and communicate them simply and clearly to interested non-scientific audiences.
• Demonstrated capacity and desire to listen to, assist, and engage people of different backgrounds and educational levels.
• Humility, maturity, an excellent sense of humor, and situational sensitivity.
• Valid driver’s license and a reliable vehicle for work-related travel (mileage is reimbursed).

How to Apply

Please send a resume, a detailed cover letter describing your interest and addressing each of the qualifications above, a writing sample and/or link to recent video of a public presentation, and contact information for three professional references to hiring@ausableriver.org. We anticipate a competitive applicant pool. Please use your cover letter to fully describe your suitability for this position. Applications will be kept confidential on request.

The Ausable River Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an equitable, inclusive environment. Learn more about our work at www.ausableriver.org.