Executive Session

Executive Director

by | Nov 2, 2024 | Jobs

Job Title: Executive Director

Reports To: Board of Directors

Prepared Date: November 1,2024

Starting Pay Rate: $35-40/Hour commensurate with experience

Benefits: Annual accrual of Sick/PTO; Health/Phone/Internet Stipends

Hours: – 25-40 hours a week (flexible depending on task load); Occasional Travel and/or attendance of meetings outside regular work hours is required.

Work Environment:

  • Remote Position (Computer, Printer, Office Supplies provided)
  • Occasional field work/meetings throughout Madera County (District Vehicle Provided)

Background:

The Coarsegold Resource Conservation District (CRCD), located in North Fork, Madera County, is a local unit of government that operates as a Special District within the State of California. CRCD is governed by a local Board of Directors and receives its funding through contracts and grants. The CRCD carries out its mission by working closely with landowners and resource managers on public and private properties to provide conservation related technical and educational assistance in order to address diverse agriculture and natural resources issues, including forest health and management, sustaining our soils and water and the proper and wise use of our lands. CRCD works in close partnership with a variety of local, county, state, and federal agencies and organizations within the Central Sierra region. The CRCD provides a non-regulatory, incentive and voluntary based approach, led by a Board comprising local landowners, and thus engenders trust with private property owners, often opening doors to properties with resource challenges where other agencies are not welcomed.

The CRCD is entirely grant funded and often secures funding directly and indirectly for the planning and implementation for a variety of resource related projects that may include:

  • forest management and conservation practices
  • fuel reduction and Firewise education
  • invasive plant erosion identification and control
  • water quality and water conservation projects
  • carbon farming including carbon sequestration and water conservation
  • native plant and habitat restoration projects
  • research and data collection projects to identify natural resources and trends

For more information on our programs visit: https://crcd.org

Position Summary

The Executive Director for the Coarsegold Resource Conservation District (CRCD) serves as the chief administrative officer responsible for managing and directing the day-to-day operations, programs and partnerships of the District consistent with the strategic plan, goals and objectives, and policies and procedures established by the Board of Directors. The Executive Director is an at-will position that reports directly to the Board and serves as the face of the District in its dealings with forestry, fire, agricultural, water, regulatory, environmental justice and the public at large. The position requires strong forestry knowledge, organizational development, grant writing skills, self-direction, collaborative leadership, and problem-solving abilities in order to effectively carry out the District’s Mission.

Position Qualifications

Candidates must possess a strong desire to work with a wide range of partners and community stakeholders including environmental, Tribal, agricultural, environmental justice, government, philanthropic individuals and groups. Candidates must embrace, support, and achieve the CRCD’s mission by working with the Board and by developing and sustaining programs through fundraising. The ideal candidate will have experience with RCDs and/or other similar agencies or nonprofits in a management and organizational development role and will have demonstrated success in writing, securing and managing a wide range of grant and funding sources.

Job Duties

  • Initiate and lead programmatic development and expansion by building partnerships and actively seeking opportunities for appropriate grant applications and funding opportunities.
  • Supervise all operational aspects of the District including staff, contractors, and volunteers.
  • Solicit, develop and manage subcontracts for services.
  • Maintain thorough knowledge of current and newly emerging issues affecting forest health and fire prevention and the natural resources in the District Area, in the Central Sierra, and Statewide.
  • Maintain, enhance, and foster a strong working relationship with Madera County, the California Association of RCDs (CARCD), Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), CALFIRE, USFS, tribal partners, the Department of Conservation, and other RCDs and non-profit agencies.
  • Ensure ongoing compliance with applicable statutes and government rules and Coordinate compliance with legal counsel and auditors as required.
  • Keep abreast of all federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, general plans, and policies that affect conservation work within the District.
  • Supervise and implement promotional activities, media contacts, and programs of the District and the successful projects implemented by the District and its partners within the community and with the media;
  • Oversee the maintenance, and enhancement of the RCD website and related social media.
  • Provide a visible presence or “face” for the District through public interactions with the community and partners;
  • Identify obstacles and barriers to conservation programs and projects and work with the Board and partners to find solutions.

Financial Duties

  • Oversee and Ensure that District operations continue in a fiscally responsible manner and maintain transparency
  • Oversee the development of budget projections and identify needs and opportunities to ensure adequate funding to maintain existing staff and expand programs where appropriate
  • Oversee financial management and reporting, including monthly financial reports to the Board of Directors, coordinate with the District bookkeeper in the preparation of the annual budget and preparation for independent audits
  • Monitor of cash flow, enforcement of financial policies for expenditures, and purchase authorizations and monitor the organizational budget throughout the fiscal year.

Board Relations

  • Maintain and enhance the RCD Board of Directors’ working relationships with appropriate officials at the local, county, state, regional, and federal levels;
  • Prepare and post Agendas and Board materials, in compliance with Brown Act, and attend all Board Meetings;
  • Report regularly to the Board regarding achievement of District objectives, current and projected financial status and provide updates on current projects and other issues relevant to the Board;
  • Keep the Board fully informed on the condition of the organization and factors influencing its decisions;
  • In coordination with the Board, develop and implement a strategic plan and budget for the organization with specific goals, time frames and financial requirements.

Experience and Requirements

  • BA/BS, from an accredited school, in environmental planning, natural resource management, business or public administration or a related field.
  • Experience in a wide range of natural resource programs or initiatives on behalf of a non-profit organization, special district, or public agency, with specific experience in fundraising, grant management, financial and organizational management, and human resources (management experience preferred).
  • Experience leading in an outcome-based organization; ability to develop and operationalize strategies that will take the RCD to the next stage of growth.
  • Unwavering commitment to quality programs and data-driven program evaluation.
  • Excellence in organizational management with the ability to manage and develop high-performance teams, set, and achieve strategic objectives, and manage a budget.
  • Ability to work comfortably in a wide range of settings including legislative subcommittees, program development sessions with environmental decision-makers, technical conferences, and meetings with local citizens and landowner groups.
  • Strong ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures.
  • Excellent writing and public speaking skills, strong verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills
  • Passion, integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed and ability to work with minimal direction.
  • Competency with current computer technologies, including Microsoft 365, Google Docs, Zoom/Teams, and the Internet. (GIS a plus, but not required.)
  • Leadership skills demonstrated through past achievements.
  • Possesses a vehicle, valid driver’s license, good driving record, and proof of insurance.
  • Has knowledge and understanding of Natural Resource Concerns in our local area.
  • Willingness to reside in or travel to Madera County on a regular basis.

Physical Requirements

Position is currently remote. Work is to be performed in a home office environment and outside in all types of weather. The work requires the ability to talk, listen, observe, stoop, reach, sit, stand, move, climb, and descend stairs, use repetitive motions, and traverse uneven terrain. The position requires the ability to operate a telephone, computer keyboard, copier, other typical equipment and motor vehicle, vision to read materials and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Work requires lifting or moving up to 50 pounds. When necessary, the position requires the ability to work flexible shifts, including occasional evening and weekend travel to conferences, meetings, and site visits out of the area.

How to Apply

Please submit a complete application package to jon.cottington@crcd.org with the title “Executive Director” in the subject line. Applications must be received no later than 5:00PM Pacific Standard Time on December 1, 2024.

Application Package Requirements:

  1. Cover letter
  2. Resume
  3. Three professional references
  4. Statement of qualifications (SOQ): applicants must respond in writing to the “Required Competencies” section, listed above, describing their knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors as they relate to each competency listed. The SOQ should be no more than 2 pages in length, double-spaced, using a (12 point) Times New Roman font.

Coarsegold Resource Conservation District is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is based on qualifications and competency. We prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, and any other status protected by state or federal law.