Reconnected Rivers Program Associate

## Reconnected Rivers Program Associate Apply locations:
Remote - West Virginia time type:
Full time posted on:
Posted Todaytime left to apply:
End Date:
July 10, 2026 (13 days left to apply) job requisition :
JR103272###
** What We Can Achieve Together:
** The Reconnected Rivers Program Associate is a key position for the growth of The Nature Conservancy’s Reconnected Appalachian Rivers Strategy, serving both the West Virginia Business Unit and the Appalachians Program. This position represents an opportunity to help accelerate freshwater restoration across the Appalachians by advancing projects that reconnect rivers, improve aquatic habitat and benefit communities. The Program Associate will work closely with other TNC staff, partner organizations and agencies, engineering firms, contractors and community groups to restore connectivity to enable aquatic organism passage and enhance flood resilience in high-priority streams and rivers.

The Program Associate will advance the objectives of the Appalachians Free Rivers Accelerator, a regional initiative that works with partners to accelerate dam removal and reconnect rivers throughout the Appalachians.

* ** Two-year term position with a possibility to renew.**
* **** Early application is encouraged as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.****
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* Work Location:

This position will be based in West Virginia and working out of the Elkins office at least one day per week, with occasional travel throughout West Virginia and the region.****###
** We’re Looking for You:
** Based in West Virginia, 50% of the Program Associate’s responsibilities will focus on building a new Reconnected Rivers program for the West Virginia Business Unit by working with key partners to Identify, envision, develop, oversee and support dam removal, culvert replacement and floodplain restoration projects in priority landscapes. The other 50% of the Program Associate’s responsibilities will focus on supporting a key initiative of the Appalachians Program—the Free Rivers Accelerator—by advancing dam removal projects in two or three additional Appalachian states.

Responsibilities and Scope:
* West Virginia:
** As part of the West Virginia Business Unit, the Program Associate will report primarily to the Director of Conservation Programs and coordinate with Conservation, Finance, Marketing/Communications, Operations, Development and Policy staff as needed.
* Serve as a member of West Virginia’s Conservation Team, contributing river conservation skills and expertise to support the team’s work to protect, manage and restore critical lands and waters.
* Support, lead and/or manage projects with partners as they progress through project development and planning, grant-writing and proposal development, contracting, project design, permitting, construction, monitoring and evaluation.
* Appalachians Program:
** Within the Appalachians Program, the Program Associate will report secondarily to the Director of the Appalachians Free Rivers Accelerator and coordinate with relevant Appalachians staff and supported Business Units.
* Work with statewide networks, TNC Business Units, engineering firms and partners to identify priority projects, support early engineering and grant development, track project progress and help ensure successful completion of project deliverables.
* Help identify and advance a portfolio of priority dam removal projects in approximately two or three states.
* Responsibilities for both roles:
** Build trusted relationships with partners and serve as a collaborative problem-solver across organizations and interests.
* Manage external relationships, budgets, subcontractors, timelines and tracking progress and outcomes.
* Work within and manage complex budgets to complete projects.
* Be ready to travel as needed to TNC and partner offices and project sites within the area of work and to safely and occasionally work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
* Focus communications and information sharing between West Virginia and Appalachians staff.
* The Program Associate may be required to…