Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) uses science, advocacy, and the law to protect, restore, and enhance the Charles River. If you share our vision of a clean and resilient Charles River, join CRWA as our next Advocacy Director.

CRWA is an internationally recognized environmental advocacy nonprofit based in Boston, MA. We work to protect, restore, and enhance the Charles River and its watershed. We use science, advocacy, and the law to develop strategies that increase resilience, protect public health, and promote environmental equity as we face a changing climate, together. In 2025 we launched a campaign to  “cut the crap” and stop the practice of discharging sewage into the Charles River; advanced numerous dam removal projects; supported cities and towns to change local laws and policies to build climate resilience, and more. Join us!

The Position

The Advocacy Director will work primarily at the local and state levels to develop and implement advocacy campaigns, build coalitions, partner with allies, advance policy and legislative priorities, strengthen environmental laws and regulations, and hold polluters and government agencies accountable. The Advocacy Director leads a team of communications and community organizing staff, and should be committed to their professional development. CRWA grounds its work in field science and data analysis, so the next Advocacy Director should be eager to collaborate with CRWA’s program leaders and experts. Our advocacy represents our deep commitment to a watershed that supports every community, and the Advocacy Director should excel in forging effective campaigns that engage our Boards, our team, and our community partners. Priorities are established in close collaboration with the Executive Director, internal and external legal and policy experts, and community partners. 

The nature of an advocacy role is the ability to both strategize for public policy change that might be generations away, and seize immediate and serendipitous opportunities. CRWA’s Advocacy Director role provides a unique opportunity, at this societal moment, to make a measurable difference in the resilience of the Charles River watershed, the health of its people, and the equity of the response to climate and other forces. We expect the position to involve two primary areas of responsibility: (1) developing and implementing CRWA’s advocacy strategy and (2) supporting CRWA’s organizational health and management as a member of the staff leadership.

Developing and implementing the advocacy strategy

• Work with staff across the organization–including program, legal, communications, and outreach staff–to advance advocacy priorities

• Develop and implement efforts to educate about, advocate for, and advance CRWA’s priorities in both the near and long term

• Engage and work in close coordination with our allies; build and support diverse coalitions representing historically engaged and historically marginalized environmental and community advocates

• Ensure that CRWA’s advocacy work effectively integrates climate equity and environmental justice

• Serve as a spokesperson for CRWA with decision-makers, media/press, and the public

• Serve on task forces and other advisory bodies

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with appointed officials (such as senior agency staff), elected officials, and other key stakeholders

• Determine how to effectively use communications, lobbying, grassroots community organizing, and other efforts to accomplish the advocacy agenda

Supporting CRWA’s organizational health and management

• Supervise a team of 3-4 staff

• Engage in budgeting, fundraising and strategic planning for CRWA’s advocacy work and as an organizational leader

• Support grant applications and other fundraising efforts and events as needed

• Serve as a kind collaborator, organizational thought leader, and mentor as CRWA continues to grow its stature within Massachusetts and national environmental advocacy circles

Qualifications and Qualities

At CRWA, we recognize that someone may excel in this role even if they don’t have every attribute listed below. We also recognize that the skills needed in this position may be gained from a variety of personal, educational, employment, and volunteer experiences. We take all of this into account when reviewing applications and if you think you’re a match for this role, we encourage you to apply! Ideal qualifications and personal qualities include the following:

• Substantial experience and leadership developing and implementing successful environmental advocacy initiatives.

• Ideally, expertise in water quality, stormwater pollution, climate change resilience, and/or watershed restoration issues.

• Previous environmental advocacy or campaign work within Massachusetts, demonstrating an understanding of the unique and intersecting roles of the state legislature, state regulatory agencies, and municipalities.

• Demonstrated success in identifying a challenge or an opportunity and developing a multi-stakeholder effort to achieve a public policy change.

• Leadership skills and emotional quotient to build effective coalitions across the many, diverse communities in the Charles River watershed 

• Facility with using communications and marketing to build and advance an advocacy effort, from public awareness to a branded campaign strategy.

• Professional expertise in or experience with translating complex, science-based issues and/or public policy into understandable, actionable campaigns for change.

• Campaign experience, particularly within a grassroots effort or organizing diverse coalitions.

• Experience collaborating with, managing, or serving as a lobbyist would be a plus.

• A basic understanding of the regulatory frameworks affecting watersheds, water quality, development, and climate resilience in Massachusetts. 

• Outstanding written and oral communications skills as well as experience speaking in public settings from press conferences to legislative committees. 

• Managing and supporting staff to achieve their organizational and professional goals.

• Contributing to the healthy growth of a nonprofit or small business.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google GSuite

• The ability to communicate in one of the many non-English languages represented in our watershed is a plus. (Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Simplified Chinese, Russian)

• A sense of humor is always appreciated!

CRWA strives to attract and retain staff from a wide range of backgrounds, expertise, and perspectives and to foster a culture of belonging in which all feel valued and respected. If you need accommodation(s) to make the interview process more accessible, please let us know by emailing hiring@crwa.org.

CRWA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, protected veteran status, disability, pregnancy (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, medical conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth, and breastfeeding), genetic information, or other bases protected by law.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. CRWA is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time position based in Boston. Starting salary for this position is $100,000-120,000 annually and will be determined based on the experience level of the successful candidate. CRWA-sponsored benefits include generous paid time off, employer contributions to health/dental/vision insurance premiums and retirement plan, paid family and medical leave, Employee Assistance Program, and professional development opportunities. CRWA’s office operates on a hybrid remote/in-person schedule (3 days per week in the Boston office); fully remote candidates will not be considered for this role. To be an effective Advocate for the Charles River, occasional evening and weekend work is necessary.

To Apply

CRWA is working with CoCo Search/Carolyn O’Brien Consulting, LLC on this search. Please submit a detailed resume and thoughtful cover letter at this link. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and candidates are encouraged to apply early–the position will remain open until filled. Candidates will be interviewed and selected based on criteria such as prior experience and skills relevant to this position.