Position Description: The Executive Director (ED) provides transparent, collaborative leadership in the planning and administration of programs and operations of the Luckiamute Watershed Council (LWC) in accordance with the LWC mission and goals. In addition to projects, services, events, personnel, and finances, the ED is the primary representative of the LWC’s interests. The ED leads the implementation of the strategic plan and supports the Board of Directors (Board) in fulfilling its governance functions. This is a full-time, exempt position, hired by and reporting to the Board.
Acting with integrity, humility, and respect, the Executive Director maintains a high level of professional conduct. They know their limits, learn from mistakes, ask for help, and set clear boundaries. The Executive Director has the capacity to self-regulate, listen actively, and mediate positive outcomes to conflict.
Accountability: The Executive Director operates under the general direction of the Board, to whom the ED is directly accountable, and communicates promptly as circumstances dictate. The ED works most closely with the Board President, but regularly engages with the other Board and committee members through regular reporting and meeting participation. The ED maintains practices that protect the LWC’s good standing with funders, partners, contractors, and the watershed community.
Responsibilities: Primary areas of responsibilities of the Executive Director include:
- Board Engagement: Work closely with the Board to advise and inform and facilitate communication between the Board and staff; plan, prepare and help facilitate meetings of the Board. Interpret relevant state and federal laws and policies for the Board and committees to inform decision-making. Participate in Board development, recruitment, orientation, and training.
- Strategic Planning: Facilitate strategic planning process and regularly evaluate the LWC’s goals and objectives, programs, services, roles, and responsibilities. Ensure effective implementation and monitoring of LWC projects and use data to adapt strategies.
- Organizational Administration: Manage LWC’s day-to-day operations and legal obligations, foster fiscal and organizational sustainability. Respond to media, agencies, partners, and other inquiries on LWC’s behalf. Stay abreast of best practices for nonprofit management and seek to improve outcomes and increase capacity. Develop organizational systems, plan for growth, and protect culture throughout necessary changes.
- Personnel Management: Direct and supervise staff, including recruitment, development, and retention. Sustain motivation through continuous performance management, supportive resources, and equitable performance rewards. Engage qualified contractors and consultants. Promote and support volunteer activities and ensure proper staff oversight. Monitors and maintains federal, state, and local HR compliance. Act as a steward of LWC’s culture, representing the mission and values at all times and fostering an expectation of fairness and trust.
- Resource Development:Secure funding for continued general operations, projects, outreach, education, and other Board initiatives through grants, partnerships, contracts, and donations. Direct and participate in fundraising activities and engage committee and Board support and participation. Provides staff resources and coaching to develop grants, calculate projected costs at the time of implementation, consider operational resource needs, and craft a narrative case.
- Budgeting and Finances: Manage all LWC budgeting and financial operations, in cooperation with the Board and Finance Committee. Provider oversight and accountability for the control of resources and report regularly on LWC’s financial status. Coordinate and review work delegated to financial consultants. Administer grants effectively and fulfill all reporting requirements.
- Partnerships, Community Relations, and Events: Foster and maintain positive connections in and among the community, LWC’s constituencies, other watershed organizations, agencies, service groups, and committees. Communicate and coordinate with funding agencies and other organizations central to LWC’s mission and programs. Actively seeks to sustain and develop partnerships and coalitions with local community groups, universities, other regional organizations, and other watershed councils.
- Landowner and Community Outreach: Guide staff in pursuing landowner agreements and cooperation for project implementation, communicating effectively with impacted parties, and maintenance of landowner databases. Direct development and distribution of the quarterly newsletter, LWC Meanderings, and the regular Behind the Scenes bulletins for Friends of the LWC.
- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Coordinates with Board, committees, partners, and staff, to advance the LWC’s EDI initiatives. Organizes training, provides resources, and champions organizational changes to support inclusive operations, culture, and programs at LWC.
- Other Duties as Assigned: These may include attending conferences and workshops; planning, facilitating or presenting at meetings; participating in other activities as required by the Board.
Physical Condition Requirement: Duties include both indoor and outdoor tasks. Office work includes sitting, typing, standing, and moving supplies and gear. Some physical exertion is required for this position, including the ability to move 40+ pounds and use/operate LWC tools and equipment. Outdoor work often occurs in remote locations, in variable weather conditions, often on uneven ground and in stream channels. Work is conducted on private and public lands; driving personal vehicles on gravel roads is common. The LWC is friendly to adaptations and reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions.
Additional Position Details: Paid time off (PTO) and benefits are decided by the Board with reference to the LWC Personnel Policy. The position is funded through grants and donations. The ED is responsible for developing and maintaining funding for the position.
What we can offer:
- An expected salary of $75,000 - $85,000 and a generous benefits package (medical, dental, vision insurance; 11 floating paid holidays annually, PTO and up to 3% retirement match);
- A committed, talented team that believes in the value and purpose of our organization and works hard to move our mission forward;
- An engaged, talented, and motivated Board of Directors who supports the work of LWC;
- Considerable opportunity to put your creativity and ideas to good use. We are a vital and valued organization poised for growth; we need your ideas and your help to create the right structure and foundation for success; and
- An organizational culture that values the individuality of each team member, plays to the strengths of each individual, and is devoted to creative and inclusive programs and opportunities to enhance the area and beauty of the Luckiamute Watershed
