Riverkeeper and Executive Director

~ The mission of the Ogeechee Riverkeeper is to protect, preserve, and improve the water quality in the Ogeechee River basin. ~

The Ogeechee River System drains over 5,000 square miles of land. The Ogeechee River Watershed includes 4 sub-watersheds:

• Upper Ogeechee;
• Lower Ogeechee:
• Ogeechee Coastal: and
• Canoochee watersheds. 

The Ogeechee River itself is approximately 245 miles long. The freshwater streams in this river system are known as blackwater streams due to their dark, tea-colored water. Blackwater streams are really unique and have an interesting ecology. The tannins from the swamps that stain the water the tea-color also make the water more acidic than other streams. This acidity reduces the amount of vegetation that can grow naturally in the rivers, and also affects the mercury uptake by fish.

The Ogeechee Riverkeeper works on all of the streams flowing out to Ossabaw Sound and St. Catherine’s Sound.

Position Overview

The Board of Directors of the Ogeechee Riverkeeper seeks an outgoing professional for the combined position of Riverkeeper and Executive Director of Ogeechee Riverkeeper®, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization licensed by the Waterkeeper Alliance®. Its operating budget comes from donations, grants, and proceeds from various fundraising events.

The position is overseen by a board of directors. The position would be an excellent permanent position with growth potential based on skills of leadership that accomplish the mission, attract donations and grants, and stimulate volunteerism within the organization.

The Ogeechee River is a coastal plain river with unique fish and wildlife. The watershed is home to over 500,000 people and covers portions of 22 counties. Planted pine forest, coastal sands and clays, and wetlands are major features of the landscape.

Environmental concerns include impacts to fish, wildlife, public health, wetlands, tidal marshes, river water quantity and water quality from activities such as titanium and zirconium sand mining, forestry practices, paper mills, solid and hazardous waste disposal sites, residential and industrial development, and invasions by exotic animals and plants. This position provides an opportunity to positively impact the environment of southeastern Georgia and to join coalitions to protect Georgia’s coast and all of Georgia’s natural waters.

Responsibilities

• The position has three main aspects: running a nonprofit Waterkeeper® organization, being the “go to” person for environmental issues that pertain to the river, and fundraising, such as organizing activities and events that involve the membership and the general public, and seeking grants.
• The successful applicant must establish rapport with the public throughout the watershed and with policy makers, environmental agency personnel, potential funding organizations, and activists throughout Georgia and beyond.
• The position involves a broad range of actions for which few will be fully prepared, so it is essential to know how to learn independently.
• The status as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the license with the Waterkeeper Alliance must be maintained.
• The successful applicant must use effective people skills to motivate volunteers, stimulate donations, apply for and manage grants, and educate the public about the river.
• The successful applicant will need to network with other Riverkeepers and environmental groups, and to learn aspects of environmental regulation and science as issues arise.
• The applicant must also see that bills are paid, financial and tax records properly kept, and equipment is maintained.

Qualifications

• Degree in natural science, law, or engineering; advanced degree or relevant experience with an environmental nonprofit organization, environmental agency, or environmental consulting or law firm;
• Outgoing personality;
• Fundraising and community organizing abilities;
• Experience with environmental field measurements, evidence evaluation, and data interpretation; and
• Familiarity with modern electronic media and communication methods.

Compensation: Salary is somewhat negotiable. Please state minimum requirements.

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below to email (or mail) your resumé, names of three references, minimum salary requirements, and a letter stating your reasons for interest in the position to:

Ogeechee Riverkeeper, PO Box 16206, Savannah, GA 31416

Note: After an initial screening, the following may be requested: complete curriculum vitae, college transcripts, proof of any professional certifications, and three letters of recommendation.