Location
Office in Norfolk, VA, presence throughout the Elizabeth River Watershed
Position SummaryThe Elizabeth River Project is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to restoring the health and resilience of the Elizabeth River and its surrounding watershed. Through science-based restoration, community partnerships, and innovative education, we work to bring back thriving habitats, support climate resilience, and inspire people to connect with their river.
The Lead Scientist and River Star Business Program Manager fosters partnerships with universities, agencies, and businesses; and ensures that restoration efforts are guided by the best available science. The role serves as both a technical advisor, program manager and a communicator, bridging the gap between complex science and practical action for the river and community.
This role is integral to our succession planning efforts and includes a mentorship phase with the current Deputy Director and River Star Business Manager to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of leadership. This position will work closely with the Director of Restoration and the Leadership team.
Essential Job Functions Scientific Leadership & Research Strategy- Provide scientific guidance to ensure restoration projects are effective, innovative, and grounded in sound science.
- Develop and maintain a long‑term science strategy to inform ERP’s restoration priorities.
- Stay current on emerging resilience, sea‑level rise, and climate research, advising leadership on issues with regional and national relevance.
- Help coordinate scientific monitoring and multidisciplinary research at the Ryan Resilience Lab and across the watershed in partnership with universities, agencies, and other collaborators.
- Lead development of the State of the River Scorecard every five years with regional scientists.
- Lend expertise to citizen science programs that are led by the Research Manager.
- Coordinate collaboration with partners working to reduce PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) contamination in river sediments, including Phase III sediment remediation at Money Point with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC).
- Represent ERP in state monitoring programs with (Virginia Institute of Marine Science) VIMS and other partners to ensure coordinated, meaningful data collection.
- Serve as lead staff to ERP’s Technical Policy Committee of the Board.
- Support academic partnerships to expand applied research, joint grants, and fellowship programs.
- Oversee the River Star Business program, including recruitment, site visits, technical support, and project implementation assistance.
- Serve as lead staff to ERP’s River Restoration Advisory Committee (RRAC), including managing annual peer review for River Star Businesses.
- Manage documentation for new, advancing, and recertifying businesses for RRAC review.
- Plan and execute the annual River Star Businesses Recognition Luncheon, including sponsor ships and coordination of the annual 8‑page Inside Business River Star report.
- Ensure all program and grant deliverables are met on time and within budget.
- Coordinate data analysis and reporting with partners to guide restoration and policy decisions.
- Review and synthesize scientific literature and reports to inform ERP programs, policies, and communications.
- Strengthen ERP’s technical capacity by ensuring restoration initiatives are scientifically feasible.
- Translate complex scientific information into accessible reports, presentations, and outreach materials.
- Serve as a spokesperson on scientific and technical issues for media, conferences, and public forums.
- Provide science‑based content for grants, donor communications, and fundraising materials.
- Plan communication strategies to share key research findings, including resilience and green‑infrastructure insights, with diverse audiences.
- In coordination with Leadership, integrate science into long‑term planning efforts, including the Watershed Action Plan.
- Contribute to program…
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