Satilla Riverkeeper® & Executive Director

About Satilla Riverkeeper:
Satilla Riverkeeper stands guard over the enchanting black waters of the Satilla River watershed and her coastal marshes and barrier islands.  The staff, Board, and membership work hard to restore and protect the flow, quality, and productivity of the Satilla while educating her citizens to join in this effort.  Many tools are used in this important work including formal and informal educational programs, advocacy targeting elected officials, land restoration and preservation programs, efforts to control and remove invasive species, and legal or administrative actions to stop polluters or correct bad government decisions.  Now five years old, Satilla Riverkeeper has succeeded in stopping dozens of illegal sources of pollution, helped preserve hundreds of acres of floodplain and riparian lands, helped develop a state program to restore native fish populations by removing invasive predatory fishes from the Satilla, blocked several improperly granted permits, made great strides towards controlling riverfront development, and worked with state and local governments to removed ATVs and other vehicles from the river. In close cooperation with other organizations, Satilla Riverkeeper is also a leader in developing statewide water policy and policy protecting Georgia’s vast salt marsh estuaries.

Position Summary:
Satilla Riverkeeper® is seeking a Riverkeeper® who will also serve as Executive Director who will inspire and lead the staff and serve the Board of Directors as Satilla Riverkeeper® continues to expand its successful work. This person is responsible for the oversight, direction, and management of all Satilla Riverkeeper® activities including Board development and coordination; staff development and management; enforcement activities; land program coordination; legislative and local ordinance issues; financial accounting and reporting; long-range planning; program planning and evaluation; branding, positioning, messaging, and communication strategies; fund development; and external relations with the media, government officials, community, volunteers, and funders.  This position reports to and works closely with a committed thirteen-person Board of Directors, manages an excellent staff of three people (2 FTE’s). Offices are currently in Waynesville, Georgia but will likely be moved. Assets include a boat, a vehicle, office equipment and furnishings, field equipment for water quality measurements, and well-established relationships in the Satilla River community.  Current membership is over 450 families and businesses inclusive of over 1,000 persons.

Qualifications/Skills:
• Commitment to, understanding of, and passion for water resources protection; knowledge of and connection to the Satilla River, its watershed, its salt marsh estuary, and its people;
• Related non-profit experience with a track record of increased responsibility including working with boards of directors; ability to show high level of performance, leadership, and creativity;
• Direct knowledge of environmental policy; ability to grasp complex scientific, political, and regulatory issues; experience with environmental enforcement litigation is preferred; working knowledge of federal and Georgia environmental, particularly clean water, laws and associated regulations is a plus;
• Ability to think strategically and to plan, implement, and evaluate new and existing programs focused on key priorities within organization mission, goals, and resources;
• Excellent communication skills with diverse constituencies; superb writing skills;
• Excellent organizational skills; ability to empower staff and delegate work;
• Experience with implementation and use of successful fiscal management and budgeting systems and controls;
• Proven track record in fundraising and major donor development; grant writing experience is a plus;
• Knowledge of and experience with advocacy, organizing, media relations, and public relations;
• Collaborative, team-oriented work style balanced with ability to make timely executive decisions;
• Experience creating effective working relationships with other organizations and agencies;
• Computer fluency;
• Sense of humor and engaging personality.

How to Apply:
Please send resume, cover letter, compensation requirements, and a list of three or more references to john@satillariverkeeper.org. Please address your application to “Riverkeeper Search Committee”. Visit http://www.satillariverkeeper.org/ for more information.