Issue #11           

Fall 2005           

 

The Basin Bulletin   
Newsletter for Stakeholders of the Raritan Basin Watershed    

 

 

South Branch Watershed Association Seeks Executive Director

The South Branch Watershed Association is seeking candidates for the role of Executive Director. The successful candidate will be an experienced and enthusiastic team leader with the proven ability to manage daily operations and programmatic activities while promoting the overall mission of the organization by fostering positive relationships with governments, businesses, other nonprofit organizations, and individuals. The Association is located in Clinton Township, NJ. Established in 1959, the Association is a membership based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes water and natural resource protection and enhancement within the 276 square mile watershed of the South Branch Raritan River. Our programs include environmental education and outreach; watershed management; land use planning; river monitoring; advocacy; well testing; river clean up projects; and open space preservation.

Position Summary

The Executive Director (ED) directs and manages the daily and long-range activities of the Association and is responsible for implementation of the Association’s 2005-2008 Strategic Plan. The ED reports to the Board of Trustees and supervises the Association’s staff and contractors. Staff currently consists of two full-time and two part-time positions in addition to the ED, which is a full-time position. The ED serves as the Association’s spokesperson and oversees all media and public communications. Other essential functions include relationship building; program development and over-site; management of the annual budget; fundraising; and grant development and management. This position requires local travel and a willingness to work evenings and weekends.

Primary Duties

The primary duties of the Executive Director are as follows.

Leadership and Vision

  1. Implement the strategies identified in the Association’s 2005-2008 Strategic Plan to successfully achieve the Plan’s goals.

  2. Provide strategic leadership and vision to assist the Association in the advancement of its mission.

  3. Maintain positive relationships and open communications with members of the Board.

  4. Represent the Association on advisory panels and committees on issues that are related to the Association’s mission.

  5. Build and maintain positive alliances with governments, businesses, other nonprofit organizations, and key individuals within the watershed community.

  6. Serve as the “team leader” by motivating staff and assisting them in identifying appropriate professional development opportunities.

Administration

  1. Manage the Association’s staff, contractors and daily office activities.

  2. Manage the Association’s annual budget and oversee financial reporting to the Board.

  3. Provide bi-monthly reports on ED and Association activities to the Board.

  4. Manage grants and prepare reports on all grant projects.

Fundraising

  1. Oversee development and implementation of a comprehensive development plan.

  2. Work with Board to plan for and achieve annual fundraising goals.

  3. Identify and apply for grants to fund program activities.

  4. Cultivate new relationships with corporations and foundations and maintain positive relationships with current foundations and corporate supporters.

  5. Identify and cultivate major individual donors.

  6. Oversee annual appeal and expansion of membership base.

Programs

  1. Oversee development and coordination of all Association programs, including: education and outreach; watershed management; well testing; river monitoring; river clean ups; and land preservation.

  2. Promote watershed based land use planning and sound watershed management practices through involvement with planning activities, presentations and requests for assistance.

  3. Liaise with state, county and municipal government officials and staff to further the Association’s watershed management goals.

  4. Advocate for sound watershed management practices through permit reviews and land development application reviews.

Public Relations

  1. Promote awareness and support of the Association’s mission and role as a watershed management service provider and advocate.

  2. Oversee the development and implementation of the Association’s marketing and communications strategy, including: newsletter; press releases; interactions with the media and general public; printed materials; and website.

  3. Assist with the development and promotion of Association events, including fundraisers.

Qualifications

  • A strong passion for the environment and for the mission of the Association.

  • A team leader who is able to motivate staff and the public to rally around the Association’s mission of resource protection and enhancement.

  • A strong advocate who is able to clearly articulate and assert sound and well reasoned positions and solutions in a public forum and sometimes under contentious circumstances.

  • Ability to maintain composure under pressure.

  • A consensus and relationship builder who is able to act with diplomacy and tact with various people and groups with diverse backgrounds and agendas.

  • Exemplary writing and public speaking skills.

  • Ability to identify and negotiate creative solutions to difficult problems.

  • Knowledge and understanding of ecological principles (especially those related to watershed management); land use planning; and state, county and local government process.

  • Bachelor’s degree required, and advanced degree preferred in natural resources management, public policy, law or nonprofit administration.

  • >Three to five years of previous successful non-profit, or small business, management level experience with demonstrated ability to inspire staff to achieve excellence.

  • Excellent grant writing and administration skills.

  • Demonstrated ability to simultaneously manage multiple complex projects and work both independently and as a team player.

  • Proven analytical ability, good judgment and strong operational focus.

  • Strong ethics and ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Compensation

The Association’s benefit plan includes medical insurance; matching contribution to retirement plan; vacation, sick and holiday pay; and travel reimbursement.

To apply, send cover letter, resume, writing sample and three references to:

Search Committee

South Branch Watershed Association

41 Lilac Drive

Flemington, NJ 08822

or via email to Dee Ely, Office Manager, at deeely@sbwa.org.

The South Branch Watershed Association is an equal opportunity employer.

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