Executive Director

Closing Date:        August 31, 2021

Industry:                Non-profit / Outdoor service projects

Type:                      Salaried, full time, exempt with flexible hours, benefit stipend

Background:

Wilderness Volunteers (WV) seeks an executive director to lead the organization into the future.  For over twenty years Wilderness Volunteers has been a national leader in preserving our nation’s wildlands by partnering with public land-management agencies to accomplish needed work, and to provide affordable, hands-on wilderness work opportunities for volunteers.  Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director serves as the Chief Executive of Wilderness Volunteers.

The position supervises one full-time Program Manager, and oversees the recruitment and training of volunteer project leaders, and the implementation of 35-50 field-based volunteer projects annually, with up to ten volunteers per project.  Wilderness Volunteers projects occur on public wildlands across the continental United States, and in Alaska and Hawaii.

More information on Wilderness Volunteers programs and projects can be found at www.wildernessvolunteers.org

The ED position is responsible for the full range of non-profit management activities, including the following:

Board of Directors

• Shared leadership with the Board to fulfill the mission of the organization.
• Effective communication with members to ensure a properly functioning Board, making informed decisions.
• Partner with the Board to build its capacity and diversity.
• Effectively engage the Board in policy development, strategic planning, and fundraising and development activities.

Organizational Leadership and Administration

• Represent WV and its mission to diverse external audiences. Maintain key relationships and partnerships with external stakeholders, governmental agencies, and donors.
• Provide leadership for development, implementation and periodic review of a strategic plan for WV.
• Ensure that WV’s programs and operations are implemented in accordance with its governing documents and policies and in compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws andregulations.
• Conduct official correspondence of the organization and execute official documents.

• Provide leadership for development, implementation and periodic review of a strategic plan for WV.
• Ensure that WV’s programs and operations are implemented in accordance with its governing documents and policies and in compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws andregulations.
• Conduct official correspondence of the organization and execute official documents.

Supervision and Office Management

• Supervise WV Program Manager, and develop the core competencies of staff volunteers, interns, and volunteer leaders.
• Maintain and manage official website and databases.

• Manage the office on a day-to-day basis in a professional manner, and in accordance with industry standards for non-profit organizations.

Program Management and Oversight

• Develop and implement the necessary policies and procedures to carry out WV's annual projectplan.
• Maintain project statistics for use in planning, promotions, and fundraising.
• Lead scheduled projects as agreed to with the Board President, including Leader Training projects.

Fundraising, Development and Marketing

• Plan for future revenue needs and resources to sustain WV programs and operations by establishing and implementing clear fundraising plans and strategies, annual goals and plans.
• Work with the Board and designated committees to design and conduct ongoing fundraising and development activities.
• Administer grant agreements to provide necessary documentation and fiscal accountability.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive marketing and public relations strategy.

Fiscal and Risk Management

• Ensure that WV operates as a not-for-profit organization in accordance with IRS 501(c)(3) regulations and generally accepted non-profit accounting principles.
• Establish and maintain sound financial management policies.
• Develop an annual budget for Board approval.
• Develop and implement a Risk Management Plan, and update as necessary. Manage organizational risks effectively, minimizing legal and financial liabilities.

• Develop and implement policies and procedures for effective donation tracking and donor acknowledgement and recognition.

Application Guidelines / Contact

Minimum Qualifications:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working with volunteers on outdoor recreation related projects.
• Commitment to public land stewardship and conservation.
• Experience with backpacking and outdoor camping skills.
• Ability to work with diverse groups of stakeholders and comfortable being involved in a variety of tasks, from training volunteers to direct solicitation of donors.
• Self-starting, self-directed professional.

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of non-profit budgeting and finance systems, processes and best practices.
• Knowledge of fundraising, development and donor relations management principles and best practices, including grant writing.
• Knowledge of personnel management principles and best practices, including recruitment and hiring, assigning and evaluating work, and effective supervision.
• Knowledge of marketing and outreach strategies and tools to effectively promote programs and initiatives.
• Ability to provide leadership for strategic plan development and implementation.
• Ability to develop and manage annual budgets, and coordinate financial support for programs and projects.

• Ability to help recruit and orient new Board members to the mission and programs of WV.
• Ability to establish positive and collaborative working relationships with Board members and to help the board work within their roles and keep members engaged and informed.
• Ability to establish strong working relationships with donors, grantors and supporters, and carry out an effective fundraising and development program.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with existing partners, hosting agencies and to build new partnerships to support WV programs.

* Qualified candidates may be required to pass a background check and drug test.

For more information, contact Cheryl Walczak, President, Wilderness Volunteers Board of Directors at cawalczak@comcast.net

Salary:                     $60,000-80,000 annually, depending on experience

Benefits:                 $5000 per year in health care cost reimbursements

How to Apply:      On line applications are being accepted for the Wilderness Volunteers Executive Director via Indeed.com.  Please include a cover letter of not more than three pages that addresses your education or experience in regards to the minimum and desired qualifications listed, and a resume that includes at least three professional references.

Link to job on Indeed.com: 

 https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Wilderness%20Volunteers&l=Flagstaff%2C%20AZ&advn=1287782920493573&vjk=c4f949a4098cecbd