Executive Director

Background:

Founded in 1996, the Alabama Rivers Alliance (The Alliance) is a statewide river
and watershed conservation organization based in downtown Birmingham,
Alabama. The mission of the Alliance is to protect and restore clean, healthy
waters. The Alliance pursues a philosophy of being cooperative to the extent
possible and aggressive to the extent necessary. The Alliance is active in shaping
water quality and quantity policy; reviewing environmental permitting decisions;
supporting a network of local watershed stewardship groups; conducting field and
literature research; and educating the public regarding watershed conditions,
problems and solutions. The Alliance has improved Alabama water quality policy
through advocacy, litigation, and cooperation; has helped to build a network of over
sixty local watershed groups; and has completed multiple ecological baseline
studies for targeted watersheds. The Alliance maintains a presence in the Alabama
legislature and has helped pass conservation legislation and defeat ill-conceived
environmental bills. The Alliance has five professional staff and an annual budget
of over $300,000. The Alliance is in a financially strong position with over seven
months operating revenues in current assets.

Duties:

The Executive Director (ED) is the primary staff person responsible for the
implementation of the Alabama Rivers Alliance's Ten Year Strategic Plan
Watershed Visions. The Executive Director's primary duties are administration,
fundraising and budgeting, staff supervision, analysis and advocacy for effective
water policy, and public education. The Board seeks someone who demonstrates
vision, courage, patience, and the ability to provide diligent external and internal
leadership. This person reports to the Board of Directors.

Principle Functions:

Fundraising and Budgeting
• The Executive Director (ED) is the chief staff person responsible for raising funds
  through grants, members and major donors. The ED works with the staff and
  board to raise revenues for the Alliance. The Director shall continually seek new
  sources of reliable revenue from diverse sources. In addition, the ED develops and
  administers an annual budget in cooperation with the Board of Directors.


Administration and Supervision

• The Executive Director is responsible for the administration of the office in
  conjunction with the staff and must have the ability to meet multiple deadlines,
  oversee diverse day-to-day operations, and file timely reports. The ED is
  responsible for the hiring, evaluation, and supervision of the staff. The Executive
  Director keeps the Board informed and engaged in the Alliance's conservation
  programs and organizational development, and ensures that the Board of Directors
  meets on a quarterly basis.


Program Supervision

• Public Policy Analysis and Advocacy: The ED's primary program responsibility
  is to work with staff to analyze state water policies, advocate for strong
  water-related public policy, and hold regulatory agencies accountable for
  implementing environmental statutes. In particular, the ED works with and supports
  program staff in advancing state level implementation of federal statutes such as
  the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Such analysis will include
  evaluation of policies and procedures, implementation, enforcement, and funding.
  Within the limitations of the IRS for 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, the ED
  oversees the organization's lobbying on state legislative issues affecting water,
  working with staff and a contract lobbyist when employed. Primary policy areas of
  concentration are:
  1. State water quality policy developed pursuant to state law and the federal
     Clean Water Act.
  2. Water quantity policies including the interstate water negotiations between
     Alabama, Georgia and Florida, and intrastate water management policy.
  3. The Alabama Rivers Alliance serves on the Steering Committee of the
     National Hydropower Reform Coalition (HRC) chaired by American Rivers
     and participates actively in the process of "relicensing" of private
     hydropower dams that affect Alabama waters. As such, the ED supports
     the staff in engaging in local hydropower dam relicensing processes, and
     supports the HRC in advocating sound hydropower policy and regulation at
     the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
• Watershed Education and Research: The ED is responsible for supporting
  program staff in overseeing production of reports and publications, conducting field
  research projects, and implementation of communications plans to educate the
  public on watershed issues.
• Watershed Leadership and Local Watershed Planning: The ED works with the
  Watershed Leadership Director to assist in building, uniting and supporting local
  watershed guardians; promoting smart growth and the efficient use of water
  resources at the local level; and convening and participating in partnerships to
  produce and implement effective watershed stewardship plans.


Evaluation and Salary Review

• The Board President will conduct an initial evaluation after first 90 days, and
  conduct annual performance reviews thereafter before each annual meeting of the
  Board.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate would hold an advanced academic degree relating to
environmental science or policy, have considerable professional work experience in
the environmental field, and have considerable experience in conservation
advocacy either as a staff person or volunteer with a conservation organization. In
addition the ideal candidate would:

• Exhibit a deep and abiding commitment to the conservation of our
  environment and the good stewardship of water resources in particular;
• Possess excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and
  demonstrate the ability to work with the news media;
• Have expertise in nonprofit administration -- with five years experience
  preferred;
• Have fundraising experience and aptitude;
• Be an innovator with the ability to think creatively to advance the Alliance's
  mission and strategic plan;
• Possess strong knowledge of environmental law and public policy; and,
• Have at least a basic understanding of aquatic ecology and sciences, with
  broad knowledge preferred.
• A three-year or greater commitment to the job is essential.

Compensation:

Salary: The salary package is highly competitive and will be determined by the
Board of Directors.

Benefits: Health insurance benefits are fully covered.

Vacation: Ten days of vacation in the first year, fifteen days in the second year,
and twenty days in the third year of employment.

Application Instructions:

Please send a rsum, cover letter, and salary requirements to:

Alabama Rivers Alliance
Executive Director Search Committee
2027 2nd Ave N Ste A
Birmingham AL 35203-3703

If you are not certain that you meet the
job qualifications but have an interest in the position we strongly encourage you to
apply. Your application will be held as confidential. Telephone calls are strongly
discouraged. E-mail inquires may be addressed to the address below.
Please do not apply over e-mail but through the mail. Do not include academic
transcripts, writing samples, or other materials with your initial application. Such
materials will not be considered. For more information, visit the Alabama Rivers
Alliance Web site.