Director, Floodplain Restoration

About the role

The Director, Floodplain Restoration, provides high-level leadership for Integrated Flood Management (IFM) program and policy development across Washington and Oregon. This role serves as a strategic advisor to local communities, delivering expert guidance on flood resilience planning, navigating complex funding landscapes, and fostering cross-agency collaboration to improve governance efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Restoration Program and the Northwest Regional Director to update and implement our regional capacity-building plans for river restoration in the NW Region.
• Advance floodplain restoration in the region through outreach and multimedia communication.
• With relevant staff and partners, identify, pursue, and acquire public and private funding.
• Represent American Rivers by attending relevant conferences and speaking at events regionally and nationally.
• Support organizational strategies and planning efforts including but not limited to the North Star and Strategic Plan Updates.
• Produce materials for articles for technical and general audiences, press releases and other communications and media pieces.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in environmental studies, biology, ecology, geology, hydrology, political science and five years of professional experience in policy advocacy, conservation, floodplain management, water resource management, or a related field; or at least seven years of relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience in coalition building and managing diverse interest groups (local government, state agencies, non-governmental organizations, Tribal entities).
• Strong understanding of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and Oregon’s regulatory environment related to land use, water quality, and/or flood risk management (e.g., Department of Environmental Quality, Department of State Lands, Department of Land Conservation and Development rules).
• Working knowledge federal environmental regulatory frameworks, permitting processes (e.g., National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 404, Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act Section 106), and floodplain management ordinances.
• Experience developing and delivering educational content to decision-makers (legislators, local officials, or utilities) to influence policy or secure project support.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts (e.g., flood resilience metrics, hydrologic data) for non-technical audiences, including public speaking and persuasive presentation development.
• Demonstrated commitment to centering the needs and values of impacted, under-resourced communities and Tribal nations in policy and project decisions.
• Ability to work with a team via phone and video conference. Ability to travel throughout Washington and Oregon.
• High energy level, self-motivated.

Qualifications

• Direct experience with floodplain restoration, nature-based solutions, or salmon recovery programs in Oregon and Washington.
• Specific project experience with Nature-based Solutions or Integrated Flood Management (IFM).
• Familiarity with state funding sources (e.g., Oregon Water Resources Department, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife budgets, Salmon Recovery Funding Board, Oregon/Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife).
• A background in community-based planning or equity-focused environmental justice work.