James River Association - Education Program Coordinator

Location: Amherst County, VA

Telework: Hybrid

Experience:  Mid Level

Number of Openings: 1

Job Status: Full Time

Salary Range: $42,000 - $52,000

Reports to: Director of Education

The James River Association(JRA) is a non-profit organization on a mission to protect the James River and connect people to it. JRA is excited to announce an opening for an Education Program Coordinator to facilitate programs based out of JRA’s Upper James River Education Center located at Riveredge Park in Amherst County, VA, as well as within the surrounding region. In this role, you’ll focus on delivering engaging, high-quality environmental education programs while coordinating and leading the logistical and operational components of these experiences. Acting as a program lead for trips and programs, this position collaborates closely with the Director of Education team members, and external partners to ensure smooth, impactful programming. The Education Program Coordinator will serve as a key contact for program communications, safety preparation, and equipment management, contributing to the James River Association’s mission of protecting and enhancing the James River. 

We’re looking for someone with passion for education with leadership skills and a commitment to fostering meaningful environmental stewardship. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, strong organizational and project management abilities, and a demonstrated ability to manage time effectively across multiple priorities. They should also have a passion for environmental education along with a personal interest in the James River.

Responsibilities: 

• Program Delivery - Deliver dynamic environmental education experiences for school-age students, ensuring inclusivity for participants of all ages and backgrounds. Lead multi-day trips, including overnight experiences, ensuring program safety and excellence.
• Program Coordination and Leadership - Serve as the main point of contact during trips to ensure smooth execution and address challenges. Brief seasonal educators on schedules and content, ensuring clarity and readiness. Collaborate with the Education Specialist and Director of Education to align programs with organizational goals and lead team debriefs for feedback and improvement.
• Operations, Maintenance, and Safety Preparation - Oversee the daily maintenance and organization of JRA’s Upper James Education Center, including managing educational resources. Ensure the readiness of boats, canoes, vehicles, and equipment, coordinating seasonal openings and inspections with the Assistant Director of Operations. Lead safety preparations and ensure compliance with safety standards for all activities.
• Community Engagement - Represent the organization at community events to build awareness and foster engagement. Build positive relationships with partners, parents, and participants to enhance the impact of the program.
• Administrative Duties: Build strong relationships with school districts and other community partners to support and grow JRA’s educational programs. Respond to field trip and program inquiries, meet with district leaders to plan logistics, handle scheduling and invoicing, and coordinate changes and cancellations. Log trip data, keeping accurate records, supporting the Director of Education with program communications, and offering feedback to help improve curriculum and participant engagement.

Qualifications: 

• Passion for environmental education and a commitment to the mission and values of the James River Association.
• Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions and perform physical tasks related to program setup and breakdown, including ability to lift equipment ranging from 40-50 pounds
• Demonstrated leadership in coordinating educational programs and managing teams.
• Comfort with kayaking and canoeing, including basic paddling skills, safety practices and gear management and maintenance.
• Must have strong communication and interpersonal skills 
• Strong group management, communication and interpersonal skill and experience working effectively with diverse audiences of youth and educators.
• Detail-oriented and organized with the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Science Education, or a related field, or equivalent experience, with at least three years of experience in environmental or outdoor education, or a similar role.
• Experience coordinating and managing educational programs, including scheduling, logistics, and communication with partners.
• Must be available for flexible scheduling, including occasional weekends, evenings, and overnight trips. 
• Ability to travel to various locations within the assigned region as needed to support programmatic requirements and seasonal demands, sometimes on short notice. 
• Travel within the James River watershed may be occasionally required for meetings and training.
• Ability to operate JRA vehicles and obtain a valid state issued driver’s license

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage logistics across multiple programs, balance competing priorities, and meet deadlines efficiently.
• Strong working knowledge of best practices in providing environmental education experience for school-aged students.
• Familiarity with field science tools and equipment, such as water quality testing kits, sampling gear, and data collection instruments.
• Boating safety certification and/or willingness to obtain required certifications, such as CPR, First Aid, Wilderness First Responder/Wilderness First Aid, etc.

Competitive Salary & Benefits Package includes fully paid employee-only health and dental coverage, Life and LTD insurance, generous paid time off (starting at four weeks/year), twelve paid holidays, and 401(k) matched contributions! Professional development and growth opportunities. Work-life balance and dynamic, hybrid/flexible work environment. The exempt salary range for this full-time position is [salary range annually, depending upon several factors including education and work experience.

APPLY by sending your resume and cover letter to [email protected]. This position will remain open until filled. 

Why Work for the James River Association? 

We are OPTIMISTS.

We believe through individual and collective action, the James River can be

preserved and improved, enriching all communities in the watershed.

We are CATALYSTS.

We are proactive change-makers, not bystanders. We take initiative, bring creativity

and passion, and enlist the broader community to drive positive change for the

James River.

CREDIBILITY is our currency.

Our success depends on the trust we build. We operate with integrity and can be

relied on as a true, steady, dependable resource grounded in science.

COMMUNITY drives everything we do.

We believe in the power of community to achieve common goals, honoring a full

range of voices in the process. Our efforts consider the varied needs and interests of

our watershed communities.

We are proud to be an EEO employer. We maintain a drug-free workplace. At JRA, we believe in community, conservation, and driving change. We encourage applications from all backgrounds—if you're excited about working with us, we want to hear from you!