CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY

The Washington Association of Conservation Districts (WACD) seeks an Executive Director to support the state’s 45 conservation districts and 225 local, voluntary conservation district supervisors. WACD is a voluntary, nonpartisan, and non-governmental [501c (6)] association. WACD’s vision is to protect and conserve natural resources for future generations. Our mission is to serve as the collective voice of conservation districts, and to advance the purposes of conservation districts and their constituents by providing leadership, advocacy, representation, influence, information, products, and services by protecting and advancing the locally led principle.

The Executive Director position is full-time with annual compensation in the range of $80,000 – $110,000, commensurate with skills and experience. This is an exempt position. Extensive travel may be necessary, with the possibility of multiple overnight trips per month. Direct supervision is provided by the WACD Executive Committee via the Association President. The primary association office is located in Olympia, WA with additional staff in Bow, WA at the WACD Plant Materials Center nursery.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Executive Director is solely responsible to provide overall leadership of daily operations and management of the organization. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Work with the Executive Committee, Board, and Association membership to identify and develop agreement on priority advocacy items for the Association.
• Develop an Annual Strategic Plan in consultation with the Executive Committee, Board, and Association membership that guides the Association’s work and priorities.
• Develop with staff, and in consultation with the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, an annual budget and program of work for the Association that is consistent with the Strategic Plan, the list of priority advocacy items, and the Association’s internal and external objectives.
• Develop and facilitate ongoing training for good governance practices (including Association policies, procedures and systems) for the Executive Committee and Board.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with the Washington State Conservation Commission (WSCC), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Washington Association of District Employees (WADE), and other WACD partner organizations.
• Facilitate close coordination of advocacy work between Association leadership, contracted Association lobbyists, and policy leadership at the Washington State Conservation Commission.
• Strive to develop and maintain positive, productive working relationships with legislators, legislative staff, key state agencies, and the Governor’s office that enable the Association to be successful in achieving advocacy priorities of the Association.
• Build coalitions with partners and stakeholders in support of the advocacy priorities of the Association.
• Work with and support the Tribal Relations committee in fostering the relationship between conservation districts and tribes.
• Work with the Executive Committee, Board, staff, and member districts to plan and facilitate annual Association Area meetings and the Annual meeting of the Association.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson and face of the Association.
• Work with staff and the Board to provide effective and timely membership communication and support.
• Ensure that the policies, directives and programs authorized by the Board of Directors and overseen by the Executive Committee are carried out.
• Monitor and enforce provisions of any and all contracts with persons who contract with the Association for specified purposes.
• Visit and engage with all the conservation districts, attend Conservation Commission meetings, attend the six area meetings, and other opportunities to maintain and strengthen the work of the Association. Work with the EC and Board as needed to set priorities for travel, while balancing time between travel and work in Olympia.
• Be the supervisor of record and responsible for employment decisions and management of all employees of the Association, as authorized by the Board of Directors and overseen by the Executive Committee.
• Work with relevant staff in Bow and appropriate Association committees, in consultation with the Board of Directors, to promote, provide oversight, and business planning as needed for the WACD Plant Materials Center.

QUALIFICATIONS:

WACD seeks candidates with the strongest blend of demonstrated traits, skills, knowledge, and experience to effectively carry out job responsibilities relating to board support, office management, communications, member services, and relationships:

• Committed to natural resources conservation and to the principle of locally-led conservation.
• Understanding of good governance practices and effective methods of supporting boards to practice good governance.
• Skilled at working with board and a diverse membership to identify organizational priorities.
• Ability to increase organizational leadership capacity and financial stability.
• Committed to internal and external customer service.
• Collaborative, inclusive leadership style.
• Must have critical listening skills and the ability to ask informed questions; excellent writer and effective public speaker.
• Excellent communication, organizational, analytical, and time-management skills.
• Budget development, implementation and monitoring; grant-writing and fundraising.
• Strategic plan development, implementation, and evaluation.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE:

• 5+ years working with a board, council, or nonprofits.
• Experience working with or for conservation districts.
• Experience working with tribes.
• Experience with employee supervision and performance evaluation, including employment status decisions.
• Experience with planning events or conferences.
• Experience with budgets and funding options.
• Experience working with elected officials; specific experience with the Washington State Legislature a plus.
• Experience working on a statewide campaign or with a statewide membership organization.
• Experience developing strategic collaborative partnerships.
• Familiarity with Washington state conservation district related issues.

EDUCATION

When applying, please list your highest or most relevant degree(s) earned and the degree field. Equivalent work experience may be considered in lieu of this requirement.