Lead Scientist

Executive Director Location: Office in Norfolk, VA, presence throughout the Elizabeth River Watershed
Status: Full-time, Salary, Exempt
The 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.
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.
Partnerships & Committee Support
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.
River Star Business Program Management
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 sponsorships 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.
Monitoring, Data, & Technical Oversight
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.
Communication & Outreach
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 and policy development to position ERP as a leader in applied research and community science.
Strengthen ERP's reputation as a hub for innovative, science-driven restoration and resilience solutions.
Knowledge of best practices in environmental monitoring and applied research in river and coastal ecosystems.
Understanding of ecological restoration, river ecology, resilience science, sea level rise, and sustainable development practices.
Knowledge of safety protocols and scientific project site management.
Familiarity with policy and regulatory frameworks affecting watershed restoration.
Strong leadership and communication skills to effectively direct field teams, coordinate with project managers, and manage volunteers.
Proficiency in interpreting sampling plans, coordinating equipment and staffing needs, and analyzing complex ecological data.
Skilled in translating technical scientific findings into accessible language for diverse audiences, including the public, partners, media, and funders.
confrontational approach to environmental goals.
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and diverse perspectives in science and community engagement.
Strong facilitation and collaboration skills to manage large partnerships across academic, nonprofit, public, and private sectors.
Ability to manage multiple scientific projects and program responsibilities simultaneously while maintaining high-quality standards and accuracy.
Ability to independently troubleshoot issues, adapt plans, and ensure smooth project execution in real time.
Ability to serve as a visible scientific leader, building trust with community stakeholders, policymakers, and research partners.
Ability to contribute to long-term planning and vision-setting to advance watershed restoration at regional and national scales.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in environmental science, ecological restoration, climate resilience, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience coordinating scientific research with academic or regional partners.
Experience leading teams, managing partnerships, and applying scientific knowledge to practical restoration outcomes.
Graduate degree (Master's or PhD) in environmental science, ecology, natural resources, or related discipline strongly preferred.
An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check.
Must be able to occasionally lift and carry up to 30 pounds of equipment and materials.
Must be able to stand, walk, and conduct field visits in outdoor environments including wetlands, shorelines, and urban sites.
Must be comfortable working outdoors in variable weather conditions, including heat, cold, and rain.
Must be able to work in and around water, including wading in shallow areas and working near shoreline areas.
Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds and visual cues or signals.
This is a full-time, exempt, salaried position for 40 hours a week with a comprehensive benefits package.