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.

WATER QUALITY PROGRAM ASSOCIATE

Role Summary: The Water Quality Program Associate supports RHA’s surface water monitoring program and Community Well Testing Program. Reporting to the Watershed Scientist and Well Test Program Manager, this position provides field, laboratory, data, volunteer, and community program support. Responsibilities shift seasonally, with greater emphasis on well testing during spring and fall community testing seasons and on stream monitoring during field sampling and reporting periods. This is a public-facing role requiring strong organization, attention to detail, and professional communication with residents, volunteers, municipal partners, and laboratories.

Key Responsibilities

Well Testing Program (approx. 45%)

• Maintain in-person office hours at the South Branch/Flemington office on designated days (Mon/Wed, 9 AM–1 PM) for sample drop-off and participant support
• Assist with community well test events, including evenings and weekends during spring and fall seasons
• Provide professional customer service to residents and municipal partners regarding procedures, results, and water quality questions
• Prepare test kits; manage supplies, inventory, payment tracking, participant records, and chain-of-custody documentation
• Coordinate sample transfer and communication with the certified laboratory; email results and provide follow-up
• Perform data entry, quality checks, and recordkeeping; prepare summaries and reports for partners and funders
• Maintain and update groundwater educational materials and public outreach content

Surface Water Monitoring (approx. 45%)

• Conduct field sampling for biological, chemical, visual, habitat, and bacterial monitoring using approved protocols
• Support quality control for data collection, sample handling, equipment calibration, and data management
• Assist with Citizen Scientist and seasonal intern training, scheduling, and field support
• Enter, review, and summarize monitoring data; assist with reports, municipal updates, and agency data submissions
• Support laboratory certification documentation and equipment maintenance

Cross-Program Support (approx. 10%)

• Translate water quality data into public-facing materials: fact sheets, maps, website content, presentations, and reports
• Support grant reporting, funder updates, and municipal communications
• Participate in RHA events, trainings, and public programs; collaborate across science, education, and development teams

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, biology, ecology, natural resources, public health, or related field, or equivalent experience
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and excellent customer service and communication skills
• Ability to work professionally with residents, volunteers, municipal partners, laboratories, and staff
• Comfort with data, spreadsheets, forms, and recordkeeping; ability to follow and maintain quality control protocols
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather and lift/carry field equipment
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation; availability for occasional evening and weekend work

Preferred:

• Experience with surface water monitoring, private well testing, groundwater quality, or watershed science
• Experience working with volunteers, community members, or public-facing programs
• Familiarity with GIS, data QA/QC, environmental reporting, or NJ water quality issues

Work Environment & Schedule

Work includes a mix of office work, fieldwork, laboratory/program support, customer service, and community events at RHA offices, field sites, municipal facilities, and public locations throughout the watershed. Regular in-person office coverage at the South Branch/Flemington office is required on designated days. Schedules are planned in advance with seasonal variation.

Compensation & Equal Opportunity

The starting salary range for this full-time position is $45,000–$50,000, commensurate with experience, plus benefits provided in accordance with RHA personnel policies.

Work Location: RHA South Branch Office, 5 Darts Mill Rd, Flemington, NJ.

How to Apply: Please send a resume and letter of interest, to future@raritanheadwaters.org

Deadline to apply is July 10, 2026