ROEE: Resources: ED Descriptions

Executive Director Job Descriptions

These job descriptions were gathered here as a result of the following email post to the ROEE and ANCA email lists. These may be of interest to environmental education organizations creating or filling an executive director position. These ARE NOT necessarily open positions, nor current job descriptions for the organization.

Date: Mon, 03 Dec 2001 08:53:39 -0800
From: Sue Jacox < suejacox @ nvbell.net>
Subject: [roee] Executive Director Job Description

Great Basin Outdoor School is looking for a well written Executive Director job description, which we can modify to our situation. We are very seasonal and do not manage a facility, but otherwise are similar to the programs operated by the participants of this list. If you have a job description as a document, you may here, or reply to Dan Allison and he will post it to the website http://raincloudpub.com/roee/ for future use. Thanks!

Ogden Nature Center (Microsoft Word document)

Riverbend Environmental Education Center (Microsoft Word document)

Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center (Microsoft Word document)

Puget Sound Environmental Learning Center

The Wilderness Center

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Multnomah County ESD - Coordinator, Environmental Education (Microsoft Word document)

Multnomah County ESD - Supervisor/Consultant, EE (not ED, but of interest) (Microsoft Word document)

Multnomah County ESD - Student Service Assistant (not ED, but of interest) (Microsoft Word document)

Multnomah County ESD - OS Special Needs Registered Nurse (not ED, but of interest) (Microsoft Word document)

Adopt-A-Watershed

Puget Sound Environmental Learning Center (http://www.pselc.org/)

Executive Director

Reports to: Board of Directors

Brief Description

The Executive Director is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the Puget Sound Environmental Learning Center (PSELC). Primary responsibilities include implementation of strategic plans, financial management, staff management and development, fundraising, and board partnerships. The Executive Director supervises key managers and has oversight responsibility for program development and evaluation, operations, finance, marketing, and public relations. The Executive Director serves as the principal advocate to external constituencies.

Responsibilities

Lead the PSELC Management Team and provides strong, creative, energetic leadership and direction to the PSELC staff and volunteers.
Execute and implement policies developed by the Management Team and Board of Directors.
In conjunction with Board of Directors, staff, and key stakeholders, develop and articulate a compelling, shared vision for the PSELC that guides the organization's activities.
Develop the core competencies of PSELC personnel, and implements strategies and systems that insure that PSELC operations (educational programs, research, customer service, facilities and food service) meet the highest standards of quality and safety.
Maintain an excellent working relationship with the Board of Directors. With the Board Chair, develops an active and committed Board of Directors who governs the PSELC's strategic activities, develop its organizational capacities, and strengthen its role within the Puget Sound community.
Develop and implement strategies and build systems that effectively market PSELC services and increase return business.
Develop and strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders and constituencies, including other non-profits, customers, Chambers of Commerce, the State Office of Public Instruction, K-12 and higher education institutions, and other environmental education organizations.
Develop and submit an annual operating plan and budget to the Board of Directors and takes responsibility for meeting the commitments of the plan and budget.
Work with the education staff to design, implement, and assess educational programs. Teach one or more classes.
Work with development staff and the Board of Directors to design and conduct ongoing fundraising activities including cultivating major individual, foundation, and corporate donors.
Work with public information staff to develop professional promotional materials that project the organization's commitment to excellence and that support brand identification of the organization's services.

Qualifications

Master's degree in a related field.
Minimum of 8 years of successful experience in leadership, administration, management, fundraising, and community relations for an educational organization.
Love of children and the outdoors.
Leadership skills and ability to motivate and encourage staff.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Energy, enthusiasm, creativity and desire to develop a new state-of-the-art educational center.

Salary / Benefits

Budget responsibility: $2.5 M
Staff: Current staff of 20. Will expand to 40 full and part-time, plus volunteers, within next year.
Students/participants per year: 7,000+
Benefits provided: Health insurance, matching 401k plan, and three bedroom director's residence.

The Wilderness Center http://www.wildernesscenter.org/

Executive Director

Position Title: Executive Director

General Description:
The Executive Director is the chief executive officer responsible for all phases of the management and operation of a nonprofit (501(c)(3)) nature center. He/she is employed by a volunteer 50-member board of trustees. The Executive Director is supervised by the President of the Wilderness Center, Inc. The President is a volunteer elected by the Board of Trustees who are in turn elected by the membership.

Duties

Organization

The Executive Director is responsible for hiring and termination of the full and part-time paid staff. The Executive Director supervises the staff. He/she must be familiar with natural sciences, land management, and environmental educational programming and techniques. The Executive Director must also be competent to supervise and administer the business operations of the nonprofit organization. The Executive Director works extensively in the community in fund raising, public relations, and community contact. The Executive Director serves as an ex officio member of all TWC Board Committees and Task Forces.

General
1. Budget/Audit — The Executive Director develops the annual operating budget each year in conjunction with the Treasurer, Finance Committee and Human Resources Committee. He/she is responsible for operating the Center within the constraints of the budget as approved by the Board of Trustees. He/she works with the treasurer and internal or external auditors to assure that the Center’s finances are in good order. He/she supervises the bookkeeper.
2. Supervision — The Executive Director supervises (directly or indirectly) the paid staff of the Center. This includes annual employee reviews, hiring and dismissal of staff, and administering of personnel policies.
3. Office management — The Executive Director must stay on top of office operations to see that all phases of the office operate as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
4. Computers — The Executive Director must be familiar with the Center’s computer equipment and make decisions regarding purchase, maintenance, and replacement of computer equipment and systems. He/she is also responsible for the selection of software for use at the Center.
5. Committees — The Executive Director serves as an ex officio member of all board committees including Executive Committee (nonvoting member), Human Resources, Committee, Finance Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, Education Committee, Land Management Committee, Membership Committee, and other committees which may be formed from time to time. If he/she cannot serve on a committee, he is responsible for appointing staff or volunteers to serve in his/her place.
6. Land Management — The Executive Director is responsible for supervising the management of TWC Lands. This includes land acquisition, or sale.
7. Regular Reports — The Executive Director prepares regular written reports to the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees to keep these bodies apprised of TWC activities.
8. Legal Matters — The Executive Director works with the Center’s attorneys concerning all legal work, contracts, tax exemptions and other legal matters related to the Center.
9. Land Trust — The Executive Director responsible for negotiation of conservation easements and the monitorig and record keeping related to those easement. Where problems occur, the Executive Director works with legal counsel to determine a course of action.

Program
1. Naturalist — The Executive Director occasionally serves as a staff naturalist, conducting occasional nature walks, lectures, programs, and answering questions. In addition, the Executive Director supervises the Center’s Ecotourism programs and occasional acts as staff leader for Wilderness Center ecotours.
2. Special Events — The Executive Director determines what special events the Center will offer. He/she establishes budgets for activities operated by the staff, and works with volunteers on special events operated by the staff.
3. School — The Executive Director supervises the Education Director in working with the Center’s school education program. He/she gives general guidelines for lessons and exhibit content, and administrative handling of the school program. He/she also works with the Education Director to determine provisions of school contracts for the educational programming.
4. Programming — The Executive Director works with staff and volunteers to determine the Center’s programming for the members and general public.
5. Special interest clubs — The Center has several special interest clubs. The Executive Director works with those clubs to see that the relationship between the clubs and the Center remains mutually beneficial.

Planning
1. Strategic Planning — The Executive Director works with the Board of Trustees and senior staff to strategically plan for the Center’s future.
2. Land Management — The Executive Director works with the Board of Trustees to establish, and update comprehensive a land management plans for all TWC lands.
3. Facilities — The Executive Director works with the Board of Trustees, volunteers, and staff to develop plans and specifications for TWC facilities.
4. Government Matters — The Executive Director works with area governmental planning agencies to defend the Center’s interests and advance the Center’s mission. He/she also represents the Center to various governmental agencies.

Public Relations
1. Public Relations — The Executive Director performs a wide variety of PR tasks including writing of new releases, working with area media representatives, and developing media plans for promoting the Center and its activities. The Executive Director speaks to community organizations on a frequent basis. The Executive Director is the spokesperson for the Center on
any controversial matters.
2. Newsletter — The Executive Director supervises the production the Center monthly Members’ Newsletter and the quarterly Teacher Trails.
3. Annual Report — The Executive Director coordinates the preparation of the Center’s Annual Report.
4. Publications — The Executive Director writes and/or edits other TWC publications such as brochures, newspaper or magazine articles, and radio or television spots.

Fund Raising
1. Bookstore/Birdseed Sale — The Executive Director supervises the operation of the Center’s retail sales to assure an adequate level of profit while contributing to the Center’s overall mission.
2. Fund raising — The Executive Director works with the Board, staff and volunteers on all fund raising activities of the Center. He/She supervises the development staff to assure the Center has adequate operating funds.
3. Grants — The Executive Director works with the board and supervises development staff to prepare grant requests for operating funds, capital funds or endowment funds. The Executive Director works with the board and development staff to decide upon strategies for major fund raising campaigns.
4. Membership Development — All staff members at the Center are responsible for membership development. The Executive Director works with the board, staff, and volunteers to attract more members to the Center. This includes media campaigns, direct mail development, personal contacts and other means of introducing people to the Center.
5. Planned Giving — The Executive Director works with people who may be interested in making planned gifts to the Center. He/she supervises the development staff in these areas.

Education/Experience
The Executive Director will hold a Master’s Degree or higher degree in Natural Science, Natural Resources, Environmental Education, or a closely related field. In addition he/she should have experience in the operation of a Nature Center (preferably a 501(c)(3) nonprofit nature center). The job requires a broad knowledge of natural science, working with volunteers, organizational management, land management, fund raising, business management, legal matters, and supervision of staff.

The Wilderness Center, Inc. considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Position Announcement
Executive Director and CEO
Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC)

Background Information:
The Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) is located in northeastern Pennsylvania, within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. PEEC has been an independent residential environmental education center since 1972, serving a national and international community of students, teachers, adult learners and professionals. It has been the center of study and education of nature and natural systems including unique hemlock gorges, the scenic Delaware River, diverse lowland and upland forests explored by Gifford Pinchot (the father of modern forestry), unique flora and fauna found in boreal bogs, a quarry containing 400 million year old fossils, ponds teaming with insect and amphibian life and habitat for over 264 species of birds. PEECís unique and remote setting coupled with the fact that it is the largest residential center for environmental education in North America and an easy days drive to one quarter of the nations population, making it one of the most visible Environmental Education Centers in America.

The Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) is located on 38 Acres of land within the seventy thousand acre Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. PEEC has forty-seven guest cabins that can sleep from two to fourteen people. Cabins are heated, have electricity and private bathroom facilities. There is a professional food service staff and a dining hall that serves buffet style meals. Currently under development is a new multi-million dollar dining facility scheduled to open in 2001. PEEC has a large visitor education center which houses three fully equipped classrooms, a library, darkroom, store, indoor pool, administrative offices, educational displays, and a large group meeting area. There are several other buildings that serve as classrooms and meeting locations on the campus. In addition, PEEC has twelve miles of hiking, cross-country skiing and interpretative trails that originate from the PEEC Campus. There are several ponds; two low ropes courses, two Action Socialization Experience challenge courses, three orienteering courses, two sensory trails, several picnic areas and two campfire rings.

The Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) has had a quarter century partnership with the National Park Service to provide visitors to the National Park a variety of educational experiences to help increase their knowledge and enhance their understanding of the natural world. In addition, PEEC has enjoyed long-standing partnerships with the National Science
Teachers Association providing professional development to our Nations Teachers in the areas of science and the environment, to the National Park Service Parks as classrooms, fostering linkages for children and professionals with the natural learning environment and a rigorous inquiry based curricula. In addition, this program has spawned an international connection to parks and classrooms in Russia that is fostered by a long-standing exchanges sponsored by PEEC and the Russian National Parks. PEEC also offers a myriad of weekend learning workshops and institutes on a year round basis that bring national leaders in outdoor, natural history, nature studies and environmental education to PEEC for intimate learning opportunities. PEEC sponsors professional development opportunities for teachers in the tri-state area on an on-going basis, and partners with the Brandwein Institute to sponsor national leadership institutes for teachers from across the nation. For more information on PEEC please see: http://www.peec.org

Summary of Responsibilities:
The Executive Director and CEO will serve as the most visible public representative of PEEC, responsible to the Board of Trustees for the management and administration of the organization. The Executive Director and CEO of PEEC will be responsible for networking, fundraising, management, overall supervision of staff and consultants, vision development and strategic planning, fiscal oversight, and collaborative partnership development. In addition, the Executive Director must be able to explain, interpret, and build support for programs of PEEC at the international, national, and regional levels.

Desired Qualifications; The candidate should have:

Character
Candidates must be recognized as a proven leader by all references. The successful candidate should be recognized as being a person of honesty, integrity, and a true team player. A sincere enthusiasm for environmental education is required. Strong professional ethics are of utmost importance.

Management/Supervision/Strategic Planning
Candidates must have experience in the overall management of a non-profit organization. Budget management should be documented. In addition, candidates must have experience in leading staff in team management approaches; and experience in staff hiring, development and performance appraisal a necessity. The successful candidate will also have demonstrated experience in leading strategic planning processes.

Development
Candidates must have a successful record of formulating and implementing fundraising strategies that includes corporate support, large donors, endowments, and granting institutions. This would include proven skills in grant writing.

Education
A background in environment, nature study, or science education-with a demonstrated knowledge of research and evaluation at a national and international level.

Networking
Candidates must have demonstrated the ability to create and maintain synergistic partnerships between individuals, governmental and non-governmental organizations, corporations, and foundations both nationally and internationally. The successful candidate must have the ability and willingness to travel extensively nationally and internationally.

Communication Skills
Candidates must have excellent oral and written communication skills for a variety of internal and external audiences. Candidates must have experience in giving public presentations and seminars at professional meetings or conferences. Candidates must have experience in interacting with the media.

Residential Center Management.
Demonstrated management of residential education center with proven track record at all phases of residential center operation.

Compensation:
Salary and benefits commensurate with experience.

Application Process:
Candidates should send to the address below:
(1) a resume or vitae;
(2) a letter of application describing how their education, experience and talents qualify them for the Executive Director position as outlined in the required and preferred qualifications; and
(3) the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three current professional references (please have three letters of reference forwarded to the address below)
(4) Salary History

Chairman of PEEC Search Committee
PEEC
R.R. 2 BOX 1010
DINGMANS FERRY PA 18328

Review of Applications will begin on November 1, 2000. This position will be filled when a suitable candidate is hired.

PEEC is an equal opportunity employer

Adopt-A-Watershed Executive Direcctor

Adopt-A-Watershed (AAW) helps communities develop high-quality education programs, focused on the local watershed, that encourage watershed stewardship and enhance student learning. We are looking for an Executive Director, based in SF, to work on building entrepreneurial elements while maintaining our position in grant funded work. The ED will work in close collaboration with staff and key supporters to manage all aspects of revenue generation, budgeting, staff supervision, Board Development, and public relations. Competitive salary and benefits. Send resume and cover letter to: Adopt-A-Watershed, Box 1850, Hayfork, CA 96041, Fax: 530-628-4212

Adopt-A-Watershed Executive Director Position Description

General Description

In collaboration with the Program Director and the Board of Directors of Adopt-A-Watershed ( AAW ), the Executive Director is responsible for all business aspects of operating and managing AAW consistent with the Mission and goals of the organization. The Executive Director serves as the principal public point of contact and represents AAW in all its activities. The ED is principally the leader, planner and facilitator responsible for guiding and managing the organization.

AAW works within a collaborative framework. The ED is responsible for fostering and promoting this framework, facilitating successful projects within this structure, and adapting the framework as needed to sustain the organization. The ED works in close collaboration with the Program Director, who is the lead staff for program evolution. The ED is lead staff for business and administrative evolution.

Primary Tasks

The ED is responsible for all operational aspects of Adopt-A-Watershed including planning, managing, budgeting, financial operations, fund raising, public relations, human resources, staff development, strategic development, development of the Board of Directors, and managing Board meetings and Board workload. The ED is also responsible for developing successful work relationships with staff, the Board, and key AAW supporters.

More specifically, the ED is responsible for guiding the organization s efforts in each of the following areas. Note that the ED may perform these activities directly or delegate the activity to staff, Board members, outside consultants or temporary staff, as appropriate.

Administration

Hire and supervise staff, consultants, and temporaries. Maintain personnel policy. Provide for training and staff development.

Business Operations

Develop and cultivate relationships with other organizations and agencies that share AAW s vision. Seek partnerships and collaborate with other organizations to further AAW s program and mission.
Develop promotion and marketing strategies and oversee their implementation.
Act as chief organizational spokesperson to government agencies, media, other organizations, and the public.
Identify entrepreneurial opportunities and recommend business actions to the Board.
Develop and implement new business operating methods and strategies.

Fiscal Operations

Develop AAW s annual budget and present to the Board for approval, oversee spending, and manage AAW s financial position.
Monitor and report fiscal activity and budget variances to the Board and its Finance Committee.

Strategic Planning

Work with the Board of Directors, staff, and key partners to create, plan, and coordinate the long-range strategies for sustainable financing of AAW s growing program.

Revenue Generation

Function as lead staff for revenue generation, including development of fee for service, product lines, gifts, special events, and other forms of revenue generation (e.g. water quality permit compliance services).
Develop and implement grant solicitation strategy, write grants, and manage grant reports and relationships with granting agencies, foundations, and other organizations.
Develop personal contacts and cultivate current and potential donors, corporations, foundations, and governmental agency representatives. Keep donors informed of program progress and significant accomplishments.

Board Development and Management

Organize and participate in recruitment of new Board members.
Assist Board in identifying/defining strategic Board needs.
Support Board members in carrying out their responsibilities to AAW.
Organize and lead Board Meetings

Relationships

Internal: Cultivate respectful, open, and facilitative relationships with staff and Board members.
External: Represent AAW to the public, donors, and collaborate with state and national education and conservation agencies.

Entrepreneurial Spirit: This position requires great independence, motivation, and personal commitment.

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Executive Director Job Descriptions