Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA), an internationally recognized environmental advocacy nonprofit based in Boston, MA, is seeking an Operations Associate to join our internal operations team supporting CRWA’s mission of preserving, restoring, and enhancing the Charles River and its watershed. The Operations Associate will report to CRWA’s Senior Finance and Operations Manager and will work closely with CRWA’s Executive Director. This role will provide support across a range of operational areas, including payroll, benefits management, IT, and office spaces, and will also provide administrative support to the Executive Director, Board, and Management Team.

Job Responsibilities:

Operations Support

• Assist with managing CRWA’s payroll and benefits systems , including benefits administration support and database management of CRWA’s payroll and HR system 

• Provide logistical support for hiring, including scheduling interviews, candidate communication, and onboarding/offboarding support

• Manage CRWA’s office spaces, including contract and vendor management, and ensuring that supplies are stocked any office needs are addressed

• Assist with managing CRWA’s IT resources, including ensuring that equipment is functioning properly and replaced as needed, and communicating with CRWA’s external IT team as needed

• Assist with developing and implementing systems and processes across operational areas to increase efficiency

• Other projects as assigned

Administrative Support

• Scheduling, including determining availability of meeting/event participants and creating/updating calendar invitations, and helping to manage the Executive Director’s calendar

• Meeting/event prep, including assisting in preparing agendas and materials for meetings with internal teams and managing logistics for CRWA’s annual staff retreat and other events

• Administrative support for the Executive Director,  including fielding/organizing/communicating requests, ensuring time-sensitive materials are handled expeditiously,, and other duties as needed 

• Document and file management, including ensuring files are organized, accurate, and up to date

• Shipping and mailing

• Complete all personal administrative work associated with this position (e.g., completing timesheets, submitting expense reports, etc) in a timely and accurate manner

Qualifications:

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’d be a great fit for this role, we encourage you to apply!

• Experience in operations and/or administrative roles (nonprofit experience preferred)

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience

• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through

• Effective time management and ability to prioritize in a fast-paced environment

• Ability to work independently and take initiative, as well as take instructions and execute them with some oversight

• Excellent proofreading and communication skills (written and verbal)

• Proficiency with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Calendar) required; experience with Paychex and benefits management software preferred; experience with DonorPerfect or similar CRM/database systems a plus

• Commitment to CRWA’s mission

• Able to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed

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.

What We Offer

This is a non-exempt, full-time position based in Boston. Starting salary for this position is $60,000 annually. CRWA-sponsored benefits include generous paid time off, employer contributions to health/dental/vision insurance premiums and retirement plan, fully paid family and medical leave, transit stipend, sabbatical policy, Employee Assistance Program, discounts on outdoor gear and apparel, 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.      

How to Apply

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to hiring@crwa.org and include “Operations Associate” in the subject line. 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. Date posted: January 27, 2026

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.