Development Director

About the Organization: Raritan Headwaters Association (RHA) is a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to protecting clean water for present and future generations. As the watchdog for New Jersey’s 470-square-mile Upper Raritan River watershed, we safeguard a region spanning 38 municipalities across Hunterdon, Somerset, and Morris counties. More than 300,000 people rely directly on the natural resources of our watershed, and another 1.5 million residents downstream depend on the water we protect for their drinking water supply. RHA advances its mission through science, education, advocacy, land preservation, and stewardship. RHA is committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization and encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

Role and Responsibilities: RHA’s fundraising program supports a multi-million-dollar annual operating budget and has a growing base of individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners. The Development Director serves as RHA’s senior fundraising strategist, with significant autonomy to shape and lead revenue strategy. The Director collaborates closely with the Executive Director, the Board of Directors, and staff to drive innovative development strategies, build partnerships, and oversee a talented team that supports our organization’s mission and financial sustainability.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Development Strategy: Set the vision and goals for development. Spearhead the creation and execution of strategies to diversify funding sources and stimulate growth, with a focus on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors, major gifts, corporate and foundation funding, and planned giving as growing revenue sources. Personally manage a portfolio of major and leadership-level donors while strengthening RHA’s emerging planned giving program.
• Team Leadership: Lead a team responsible for executing RHA’s fundraising strategy, including annual giving campaigns, grant acquisition, events, volunteer coordination, and communications. Provide clear direction, mentorship, and accountability to drive strong performance and professional growth across the development function.
• Data-Driven Efficiency: Cultivate a data-driven decision-making culture that optimizes internal processes and leverages tools like Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge to support efficient fundraising. Build and steward a robust pipeline of funders and partners aligned with RHA’s strategic priorities, mission, and values. Establish a structured approach to reporting and research to inform strategic donor-cultivation efforts.
• Collaboration and Communication: Collaborate closely with the Executive Director, Board of Trustees, and Management Team to align development efforts with organizational objectives. Prepare reports for the Board, donor impact data, and presentations for meetings and planning sessions. Serve as the primary liaison for the Development Committee, providing staff and Board members with guidance on donor engagement and major gift solicitation. Be conversant in RHA’s programs and effectively communicate the Association’s mission and impact to inspire and attract new donors and funding sources. Serve as a visible ambassador for RHA, engaging donors, partners, and community leaders through site visits, events, and one-on-one cultivation meetings.
• Financial Oversight and Forecasting: Provide regular revenue forecasts and partner with Finance on the annual budget process. Proactively identify revenue risks and pursue new funding opportunities to align with operational goals. Exercise appropriate budget oversight and contribute to long-term financial planning and sustainability.

Experience and Qualifications include:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising or business development, preferably in leadership roles.
• Proven track record in individual giving, major gifts, grants, and fundraising strategy.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including comfort with public speaking.
• Detail-oriented with strong time-management skills and the ability to work independently.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Ability to develop and manage fundraising budgets.
• Experience in leading and motivating teams.
• Knowledge of Blackbaud platforms is a plus.
• Demonstrated commitment to RHA’s mission and goals.
• Sensitivity and ability to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds.

Job Type: This full-time exempt position reports to the Executive Director and offers a hybrid schedule of three office days and two remote days. Occasional night and weekend hours are required.

Salary: Minimum $90,000. This represents the minimum salary. Raritan Headwaters Association is committed to hiring the most qualified candidate and is seeking candidates with exceptional experience and accomplishments. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate’s experience, skills, and qualifications.

Benefits:

• 403(b) plan with matching contributions
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Professional development.

Work Location: RHA headquarters, Bedminster, NJ.

How to Apply: Please send a resume and letter of interest, including salary requirements or expectations, to Executive Director Mara Tippett at mtippett@raritanheadwaters.org.

Environmental Educator (Part-Time, Seasonal) – 2026 School Year Programs

About the Position: Raritan Headwaters Association (RHA), a nonprofit environmental conservation organization based in Bedminster, New Jersey (near Gladstone), is seeking confident, enthusiastic, and motivated candidates to join our Education team beginning in March 2026. RHA Environmental Educators teach traveling ecology programs for students in elementary and middle school throughout Somerset, Hunterdon, and Morris County.

Educators become part of a passionate community dedicated to protecting clean water and inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards. This role offers meaningful experience, mentorship, and the chance to make a positive impact.

This position has a part-time, flexible schedule. Programs are mainly held in the spring and fall during regular school hours, with some programs occurring during the summer (option to participate in monthly family programs, summer camp, etc.).

Responsibilities: Teach environmental education programs to school groups both in the classroom and in outdoor settings at stream field sites. Programs are scheduled for you.

• Implement provided environmental lesson plans.
• Create new lesson plans and programs.
• Attend orientation and training sessions.
• Assist with cleanup and organize equipment after each use.
• Pick up, drop off, and/or transfer equipment as required.
• Be reasonably available as a substitute in case another educator calls in sick.

Qualifications: The following qualifications are preferred; however, any combination of these will be taken into consideration.

• Experience working with children in an educational setting and outdoors.
• Bachelor’s degree in education, environmental science, life sciences, or other related majors.
• Strong knowledge of natural resources.
• Good organizational skills and time management.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong interest and enthusiasm for the natural environment and desire to share it with others.
• Strong spirit of cooperation and teamwork.
• Must have own reliable transportation.

Hours: A flexible, varying schedule of 3–20 hours/week.

Term: March 1, 2026 (flexible start date) until the end of the school year spring term; option to continue into summer and fall.

Compensation: $21/hour

How to Apply (EMAIL ONLY): Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, and two references to Lauren Theis, Director of Education, at LTheis@raritanheadwaters.org. Please put “Environmental Educator Position” in the subject line of your message.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.

For more information, please email LTheis@raritanheadwaters.org or call 908-234-1852 x314.

Camp Counselor (Part-Time, Seasonal) – Summer 2026

About the Position: Raritan Headwaters Association (RHA), a non-profit conservation organization located at Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve in Bedminster, NJ (near Gladstone), is seeking enthusiastic and creative Camp Counselors for the summer of 2026. Counselors will be responsible for implementing week-long sessions of RHA’s summer Nature Day Camp programs for children ages 3–16 under the direction of the Education Director. Lesson prep and orientation will take place in May–June. The camp is scheduled for the weeks of June 29 through August 14. Preference will be given to candidates who can participate in multiple week-long sessions of camp. RHA’s Education team works together to create all lesson plans, and RHA provides all materials.

Counselors become part of a passionate community dedicated to protecting clean water and inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards. This role offers meaningful experience, mentorship, and the chance to make a positive impact.

We encourage candidates to visit our website at www.raritanheadwaters.org to learn about our work, and www.raritanheadwaters.org/naturedaycamp to see more details about our camps (including this summer’s schedule).

Responsibilities: Teach outdoor environmental education programs to school groups and at our Nature Day Camp.

• Implement provided environmental lesson plans in the classroom and in outdoor settings. Programs include field trips, stream exploration programs, and summer camps.
• Option to collaborate on new lesson plans and programs.
• Attend orientation and training sessions.
• Assist with cleanup and organize educational supplies after each use.
• Pick up, drop off, and/or transfer educational supplies as required.
• Be reasonably available as a substitute in case another educator calls in sick.

Qualifications: The following qualifications are preferred; however, any combination of these will be taken into consideration.

• Experience working with children in an educational setting and outdoors.
• Completed or working toward a bachelor’s degree in education, environmental science, life sciences, or other related majors.
• Strong knowledge of natural resources.
• Good organizational skills and time management.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong interest and enthusiasm for the natural environment and desire to share it with others.
• Strong spirit of cooperation and teamwork.
• Must have own reliable transportation.

Hours: A part-time, flexible schedule of 30 hours/week Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Week-long sessions available to choose from between June 29 and August 14.

Location: Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve, 2121 Larger Cross Road, Bedminster, NJ (near Gladstone).

Compensation: $21/hour

How to Apply (EMAIL ONLY): Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, and two references to Lauren Theis, Director of Education, at LTheis@raritanheadwaters.org. Please put “Camp Counselor Position” in the subject line of your message.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.

For more information, please email LTheis@raritanheadwaters.org or call 908-234-1852 x314.

Counselor-in-Training (Part-Time, Seasonal) – Summer 2026

About the Position: Raritan Headwaters Association (RHA), a non-profit conservation organization located at Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve in Bedminster, NJ (near Gladstone), is seeking enthusiastic and creative teenagers to be Counselors-in-Training (CITs) for the summer of 2026. CITs support camp educators in delivering engaging, safe, and educational nature-based programming for campers. This role builds responsibility, teamwork, communication, and environmental stewardship skills.

Orientation will take place in May–June. The camp is scheduled for the weeks of June 29 through August 14. Preference will be given to candidates who can participate in multiple week-long sessions of camp. RHA’s Education team works together to create all lesson plans, and RHA provides all materials.

CITs become part of a passionate community dedicated to protecting clean water and inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards. This role offers meaningful experience, mentorship, and the chance to make a positive impact.

We encourage candidates to visit our website at www.raritanheadwaters.org to learn about our work, and www.raritanheadwaters.org/naturedaycamp to see more details about our camps (including this summer’s schedule).

Primary Responsibilities:

• Assist counselors with daily camp activities, including nature hikes, crafts, games, and environmental education lessons.
• Help supervise campers to ensure a safe, inclusive, and positive camp environment.
• Model respectful behavior and positive leadership for younger campers.
• Support group management, transitions between activities, and camp routines.
• Participate in camp set-up and clean-up.
• Encourage camper participation and foster teamwork.
• Help implement environmental stewardship projects and outdoor learning experiences.
• Communicate concerns or incidents promptly to supervising staff.
• Serve as an ambassador for Raritan Headwaters’ mission of conservation and education.

Learning Opportunities: CITs will gain experience in:

• Youth mentorship and leadership
• Outdoor education and environmental science concepts
• Teamwork and communication
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving
• Camp safety procedures and risk management.

Qualifications: CITs should be:

• Age 16 and up
• Interested in working with children and in the outdoors
• Enthusiastic, responsible, and dependable
• Able to follow instructions and work as part of a team
• Willing to learn and accept feedback
• Comfortable spending extended time outdoors in varying weather.

Hours: A part-time, flexible schedule of 30 hours/week Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Week-long sessions available to choose from between June 29 and August 14.

Location: Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve, 2121 Larger Cross Road, Bedminster, NJ (near Gladstone).

Compensation: $17/hour

How to Apply (EMAIL ONLY): Please e-mail a cover letter, resume, and two references to Lauren Theis, Director of Education, at LTheis@raritanheadwaters.org. Please put “CIT Position” in the subject line of your message.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.

For more information, please email LTheis@raritanheadwaters.org or call 908-234-1852 x314.

Summer Research Technician

About the Position: Raritan Headwaters Association (RHA) is a non-profit conservation organization located in Bedminster, New Jersey. RHA was founded in 1959 and has been collecting high quality data as part of its award-winning stream monitoring program for over 35 years. RHA produces an annual surface water quality report card that is shared with local and regional decision-makers throughout the North and South Branch Raritan River Watershed Region (Watershed Management Area 8) to inform watershed planning, prioritize restoration activities, help direct climate resilience plans, and address sources of pollution. Data is utilized by NJDEP and EPA for regulatory purposes, stream antidegradation categories, and to inform public policy. Learn more at www.raritanheadwaters.org.

RHA is seeking candidates for a temporary Research Technician position in the late spring and summer of 2026. The technician will assist with the Stream Monitoring program and gain experience in regulatory standards for streams; biological, habitat, and chemical monitoring techniques and equipment; watershed conservation issues; and volunteer management.

Responsibilities:

• Participate in stream monitoring training sessions for new volunteers and staff in April/May.
• Coordinate volunteer site sign-ups and assignments.
• Inventory equipment and prepare monitoring kits.
• Coordinate pick-up/drop-off of monitoring kits.
• Maintain field and laboratory equipment.
• Assist with stream monitoring.
• Assist with quality control of returned data sheets and sample storage.
• Input monitoring data.
• Organize lab and equipment storage at the end of the stream monitoring season.
• Prepare water samples for the lab and fill out chains of custody.
• Participate in other field research and data analysis as time and funding allow, including but not limited to soil sampling, PFAS sampling, analysis of historic taxonomy data, coli monitoring.

Qualifications: The following candidate qualifications are preferred.

• Recently completed or working towards a degree in biology, ecology, environmental policy, or a related field.
• Comfortable working outdoors and communicating with volunteers; understands conservation issues and practices.
• Demonstrated ability to stay organized while engaging in multiple projects.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Excel.
• Lives within commuting distance of RHA headquarters.

Hours: 15–20 hours/week on a varying schedule.

Term: End of May through end of July 2026 with flexible start/end dates; possible extension depending on project funding.

Compensation: $18/hour plus mileage reimbursement.

How to Apply (EMAIL ONLY): Send an email with “Summer Research Technician – Application – LAST NAME” in the subject line to Benjamin Harris, Watershed Scientist, at bharris@raritanheadwaters.org. Include a cover letter outlining relevant experience, skills, and interests; resume; and contact information for two professional and/or academic references.

Applications will be accepted through March 15^th or until the position is filled.

Stewardship Interns

About the Position: Raritan Headwaters Association (RHA), a regional non-profit conservation organization, has worked since 1959 to protect water quality in the Upper Raritan River watershed (NJ WMA08) and since 2022 to restore riparian buffers in the North and South Branch region as part of the Cornell-Dubilier Electronics Superfund Settlement. We are partnering with public and private landowners throughout the region to plant 10,000 native trees and shrubs and implement several dam removal projects.

RHA is seeking candidates for two Stewardship Intern positions beginning in spring 2026. Interns will assist RHA’s Restoration Coordinator and Stewardship Manager with both restoration and stewardship activities, including field work and some computer-based work.

Responsibilities:

• Perform mechanical control of invasive species within existing and planned riparian buffer restoration sites using hand and power tools.
• Perform trail maintenance and invasive species management at RHA’s preserves.
• Support the planning, preparation, and execution of riparian buffer tree planting projects.
• Perform ecological monitoring of existing restoration projects to assess health and success.
• Perform computer-based work consisting of data management and ecological monitoring reports.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Completed or working towards a bachelor’s degree in ecology, natural resource management, or related field.
• Knowledge of invasive species identification and management.
• Knowledge of native flora and fauna of New Jersey.
• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to perform physically strenuous field work in rugged terrain is required.

Location: Interns will report to RHA headquarters at Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve, 2121 Larger Cross Road, Far Hills NJ 07931. Work will be conducted throughout the Upper Raritan River watershed region; transportation to field sites will be available but not always guaranteed.

Hours and Term: Full-time schedule Monday through Friday for a five-month term ideally starting in April.

Compensation: $20/hour plus mileage reimbursement.

How to Apply: Send an email with “Stewardship Intern Application – LAST NAME” in the subject line to Robert Lucas, Restoration Coordinator, at rlucas@raritanheadwaters.org. Include a resume, cover letter addressing how your education or experience will help you succeed in the role, and three references with contact information (i.e., name, email address, and phone number).

Applications will be accepted through March 15th or until the positions are filled.