Location: Missoula, MT
Position Type: Non-Exempt Temporary Employee (not eligible for benefits)
Period of Employment: April 28th, 2025 – September 30th,2025
Compensation: $24 per hour
Expected work hours per week: Hours will vary with duties of this seasonal position. Expect ~28 hours/week, Monday-Friday in May, Sept., Oct., and ~35 hours/week, Wednesday-Sunday, June-August.

JOB SUMMARY: The River Ambassador Program Coordinator will lead a small team of seasonal River Ambassadors in improving public recreation experiences and protecting conservation investments in Missoula Valley rivers. This role is ideal for an individual passionate about conservation, river recreation, and community engagement. The coordinator will oversee a team of three River Ambassadors, managing daily operations, while also participating in River Ambassador field work such as data collection, public engagement, and volunteer management. The River Ambassador Program Coordinator will be responsible for engaging with a diversity of regional partners in support of program goals including safe, sustainable river recreation, enhanced river conservation, and public education.

River Ambassadors work at popular river access sites, geographically focused on river access within 10 miles of Missoula’s urban downtown, to provide assistance and information to the public about river shuttles, parking, take-outs, floats, and best practices for safety and conservation when spending time on the river. The Program Coordinator will split time between the office (50%) and field (50%), with regular opportunities to be on the water (stand-up paddleboard, kayak, etc.).

The River Ambassador program is a collaboration between the Clark Fork Coalition (CFC), Missoula County, the City of Missoula, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the Missoula Conservation District, and the Lolo National Forest. The River Ambassador Team, including the Program Coordinator, will report to CFC’s Community Programs Manager. As part of a 4-person, high-impact team, the River Ambassador Program Coordinator will play a significant role in delivering on-the-ground public outreach and building an informed and engaged recreation community who advocate for, and support, sustainable river recreation in the Missoula Valley.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Program Coordination Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with CFC’s Community Programs Manager, the Program Coordinator will train, support, and supervise a team of seasonal River Ambassadors, overseeing scheduling, logistics and daily operations of the program.
• Ensure that the River Ambassador team consistently follows program procedures, policies, and best practices for the safe and successful achievement of program goals.
• Recruit, train, and coordinate volunteer River Ambassadors, with guidance from program partners.
• Oversee the collection, input, and quality control of recreation user data in coordination with supervisor and program partners.
• In collaboration with CFC’s Communications Manager, develop and implement a social media strategy for River Ambassador program promotion and community engagement with responsible river stewardship.
• Serve as the primary liaison between River Ambassadors, CFC Community Programs Manager, and program partners.
• Ensure accurate and timely program documentation by producing daily field reports, partner updates, and post-season program evaluation.
• Represent the River Ambassador program at CFC staff meetings, partner meetings, and public engagement events.
• Foster a positive and collaborative team culture, ensuring strong communication among River Ambassadors, other CFC staff, program partners, volunteers, and river users.

General River Ambassador Responsibilities:

• Provide river users with guidance on recreation infrastructure, services (e.g., parking, put-ins, take-outs, shuttles), and best practices to reduce congestion and conflicts.
• Educate river users on strategies for responsible river recreation, including Leave No Trace principles, and reduction of ecological impacts.
• Serve as a public-facing representative for the River Ambassadors program, sharing program updates, management activities, and partner priorities with river users.
• Report needs for emergency response, trash cleanup, or law enforcement to the appropriate agencies.
• Maintain organized program equipment and supplies.
• Accurately complete and submit timesheets and expense reports on a bi-weekly basis.
• Uphold and actively promote CFC’s mission to protect and restore the Clark Fork River watershed.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 professional references in a single PDF file by email to info@clarkfork.org
• Deadline is: 5:00 p.m. (MDT), Monday, March 31, 2025
• Include all personal and professional experience relevant to this position
• Start date: Monday, April 28, 2025 (starting schedule flexible)

THE CLARK FORK COALITION is a member-supported 501(c)(3) river conservation organization with a mission to protect and restore the Clark Fork River watershed in western Montana. CFC acknowledges that it conducts its work on the traditional homelands and waters of the Salish and Pend d’Oreille Peoples, past and present, and gratefully honors the path that they have shown us in caring for the river throughout the generations. CFC’s 14-person staff is based primarily in Missoula, with staff also in Deer Lodge, Helena, and the Mission Valley. CFC is committed to building a diverse board, staff, and river community, and is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment.