Water Alliance Captain

Position: POW Water Alliance Captain

Location: Protect Our Winters offers hybrid work hubs for candidates residing in CO, WA, OR, VT, or NH. While we prioritize candidates in CO, WA, OR, VT, and NH, we are open to considering qualified applicants from other states such as CA, UT, NV, AK, and MT.

Reporting to: Sr Director, Athlete Alliance

FLSA Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt (10-20 hours per week)

Background

Protect Our Winters (POW) was founded in 2007 by legendary snowboarder Jeremy Jones with a simple and powerful idea: the outdoor community can be one of the most influential forces for climate action. Today, POW is a leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit that unites athletes, brands, scientists, creatives, and everyday adventurers into the “Outdoor State,” 181 million people who love the outdoors and want clean air, clean water, and a healthy planet. 

We know what’s at stake. Climate change is already reshaping the places we live and play, fueled by fossil fuel pollution and stalled by policy inaction. POW exists to change that. Through bold campaigns and cross-partisan coalitions, we advocate for more clean energy, defend public lands, mobilize voters, and spark cultural shifts that move policy. If you love the outdoors and want to help solve the challenge of our lifetime, join us on the climb!

The Opportunity

In 2025, POW expanded the scope of its Athlete Alliances to include the communities who recreate on our waterways, coasts, and oceans. Building on the same proven model that has powered POW's snow and mountain alliances, this expansion brings whitewater paddlers, surfers, anglers, and sailors into the fold as credible, community-rooted voices for climate action.

The approach is the same one POW has refined over the years: identify leaders within their sport, equip them with training and resources, and activate their platforms to drive the systemic policy change we need to meet the climate crisis head-on.

The POW Water Alliance Captain will lead that work. This part-time position is responsible for coordinating a group of professional water athletes, enabling and deploying them as climate advocates through the full range of resources and infrastructure that POW has to offer. It is an emerging and energizing body of work, built on the belief that empowered athletes can move culture and policy in ways that traditional advocacy cannot. At the same time, POW is actively building relationships with aligned organizations and coalitions already doing critical work in the water space, bringing POW's unique strengths in athlete activation and outdoor community organizing into coordinated efforts that are larger than any one organization.

This part-time role (approximately 10-20 hours/week) sits at the center of that momentum. If you are passionate about water, climate, and the power of sport to drive real change, this is a rare opportunity to help build something from the ground up.

Description of Responsibilities

• ALLIANCE MOBILIZATION, SUPPORT, AND AMPLIFICATION (60%): Serve as the primary relationship manager for POW's Water Athlete Alliance, operating a genuine two-way street between POW and its athlete community leaders. Stay in regular communication with alliance members to understand their needs and priorities, keep them informed about POW campaigns and policy moments, and ensure they are prepared and resourced to take meaningful climate action when the moment calls for it. Represent POW at relevant water sports, conservation, and recreation events, and serve as POW's primary connector to the broader water climate and conservation landscape, building relationships with aligned organizations and coalitions working in the water space.
• TRACKING & ADMINISTRATION (10%): Weekly preparation for, and participation in, 1:1 meetings, team captains meetings, and staff meetings, while maintaining up-to-date records in Salesforce and conducting annual alliance audits.
• OPPORTUNISTIC WORK AND SPECIAL PROJECTS (20%): Dedicate time toward emerging opportunities in the water advocacy space, including identifying and cultivating potential new alliance members, supporting POW Water strategy development, and deepening POW's partnerships across the water recreation and conservation ecosystem.
• OTHER DUTIES (10%): Participate in POW campaigns and activations, engage with alliance members on social media, and collaborate with your manager and the Athlete Engagement & Advocacy Manager on evolving needs and opportunities for POW Water.

Note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job. If you meet more than 75% of the qualifications of this description, we encourage you to apply.

Ideal Candidates Will Possess

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• 2+ years working as a contracted athlete ambassador
• 2-3 years of managing formal or informal teams and groups of individuals
• Leadership experience within a team
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Salesforce, and Google Drive (Salesforce a plus)
• Understanding of various social platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and Strava
• A keen eye for social media and creating and documenting engagements for the POW community
• Understanding of how to organize and activate an event
• Ability to balance and support multiple projects simultaneously
• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment
• Passion for the outdoors and climate action

To Apply: Please complete the application here. Please provide a resume and cover letter.

Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Compensation: This position will work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week at an hourly rate of $32.50 and is also eligible for a monthly equipment stipend of $150.

Equal Opportunity:

At POW, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. POW believes that building diversity is critical to the success of a global organization. We seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.