SECTION 1. POSITION INFORMATION

Working Title: Executive Director

Job Status: At Will, Full time, Exempt

Work Location: Benton SWCD District office, Corvallis, OR; hybrid telework option         

Eligible for Overtime Pay: No

SECTION 2. POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Executive Director is passionate about natural resource conservation, agriculture, urban and rural land use, and our environment, and has the skills to inspire, motivate, and align the staff and board toward common goals in fulfillment of the District’s mission and strategic plan initiatives. The Executive Director is responsible for representing the District; conservation program and work plan development; organizational, personnel, and fiscal management; and board development and support. The Executive Director reports to the seven-member elected Board of Directors.

SECTION 3. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. REPRESENTATION OF THE DISTRICT (10%)

• Represent and promote the work of the District to the public, partner organizations, and funders
• Coordinate with staff and board members to ensure that the District’s relationships with rural and urban landowners, conservation partners, federal, state and local government agencies, and diverse community organizations are maintained and that the District is represented in important and relevant collaborations
• Initiate and take the lead on key strategic initiatives with outside organizations on issues such as climate change, wildfire risk management, and protection of rare and declining natural habitats
• As needed and appropriate, serve as the primary contact with members of the press and the public, and maintain sound public relations on behalf of the District
• Serve on local, state, and regional advisory committees

2. ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT (30%)

• Work with the board, staff, and external partners, as appropriate, to develop, update, and maintain accountability for implementation of the District’s Strategic Plan, Annual Work Plans, goals, and measurable performance objectives
• Lead special projects and initiatives consistent with the District’s strategic themes, Strategic Plan, and priority conservation strategies; lead development of District’s Annual Report
• Work with staff to identify ways to strengthen existing partnerships and create new diverse partnerships to implement conservation practices and fulfill the District’s mission
• Work with staff to propose and carry out solutions to address local conservation challenges
• Work with staff to pursue grant funding and provide letters of support for partner initiatives that match identified strategic initiatives
• Ensure the District meets all local, state, and federal personnel and safety laws and all other legal obligations
• Develop, and ensure adherence to policies that address appropriate risk management, transparency, and responsiveness to the public
• Develop, manage, and oversee contracts, leases, MOUs, and other legally binding agreements
• Evaluate opportunities for the District to own and/or manage real property consistent with the District’s mission and board policies for accepting gifts and bequests
• Guide the themes for and development of District events (including annual meeting), reports, and newsletters
• Ensure that all funder reporting requirements are met by staff
• Lead the District on diversity, equity, and inclusion current practices and ongoing initiatives
• Identify ways to strengthen organizational capacity and effectiveness
• Work with external legal counsel and other advisors as needed related to District operations and external projects
• Other tasks as required by the Board of Directors

3.  PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (30%)

• Supervise, manage, and motivate staff members, interns, and volunteers
• Set employee work schedules; approve monthly staff timesheets and payroll
• Provide performance feedback to employees informally through regular check-ins, and formally through annual performance evaluations; hold self and staff accountable
• Identify training needs and provide opportunities for employee mentoring, coaching, and professional growth
• Oversee recruitment, selection, hiring procedures, and orientation of new staff, with support from other staff as appropriate
• Make disciplinary and termination decisions
• Recommend staff wages and benefits to the Personnel and Finance Committee; oversee benefits administration, with implementation by or support from operations/administrative staff
• Develop, review, and update staff job descriptions and performance standards; ensure pay equity; analyze compensation to remain competitive with market
• Recommend to the Board of Directors updates to Employee Handbook, personnel policies, and HR procedures
• Oversee monthly staff reporting to the board on relevant topics responsive to the board’s information needs
• Promote work-life balance, including paid-time-off, flexible schedules, and work from home + office/field
• Maintain a safe, positive, equitable, and collaborative work environment; foster a culture of mutual respect and support

4.  FISCAL MANAGEMENT (20%)

• Serve as Budget Officer; oversee development of annual budget that conforms with Department of Revenue’s Oregon Budget Law and other requirements; recruit community Budget Committee members
• Ensure that the budget is consistent with District values and identified strategic priorities; ensure expenditures are within approved spending limits
• Approve expenses incurred by direct reports; ensure appropriate tracking of expenses
• Review monthly board financial reports prepared by bookkeeper; provide special reports on finances to the board; coordinate with Treasurer and bookkeeper on oversight/review of account reconciliations and journal entries
• Oversee annual audit by certified CPA; coordinate draft audit review with appropriate board members and bookkeeper; write and submit audit action plans
• Ensure fiscal controls and segregation of duties are operating properly and that contracting laws, policies and procedures are followed
• Recommend fiscal policies and procedures to the board for approval
• Identify opportunities to leverage and conserve District financial resources
• Work with staff to ensure that the District is fiscally responsible and fully accountable

 5.   BOARD DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT (10%)

• Provide support, information, and recommendations to the Board of Directors
• Initiate process for annual Executive Director performance review
• Work with staff to provide orientation for new Directors and Associate Directors
• Assist the board in determining which tasks or projects are best done by board members and which are better assigned to staff
• Work with staff to identify board development and training opportunities
• Develop draft board agendas in collaboration with Board Chair and staff
• Ensure board meetings are conducted in compliance with public meeting laws
• Track and implement board decisions
• Co-coordinate board diversification and succession planning with the Board of Directors
• Serve as a liaison between board committees and the Board of Directors
• Review draft board minutes and prepare materials for monthly board meeting packets

SECTION 4: QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent transferable skills in public administration, non-profit management, environmental policy and management, business administration, or related discipline. Transferable skills are any skills gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experiences that are relevant for this position.
• Skills in budget development, preparation, and maintenance
• A demonstrated commitment to natural resource conservation
• Three years minimum experience in:
  • goal development, implementation, and achievement, and
  • organizational, financial, and personnel management, including direct supervision of staff.
• Demonstrated ability to:
  • work effectively with a Board of Directors, staff, partners, and constituents who have a variety of perspectives
  • interpret and implement relevant statutes, regulations, policies, and laws
  • work independently, and be proactive and self-directed
  • make decisions with sound judgment and integrity
  • exercise leadership, critical thinking, interpersonal and communication skills
  • effectively use MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, etc.), access relevant online resources
  • work with diverse groups and individuals to continue to build upon diversity and equity initiatives and practices within the organization
  • manage staff as individual contributors and as a highly functioning team
  • use conflict resolution and diplomacy skills to diffuse, address, and remedy any organizational or individual conflict, divergence, or issue that prevents a safe, comfortable, and effective work environment
  • supervise direct reports with respect and support to create a workplace where staff thrive and love to work
  • communicate effectively, including making public presentations (e.g., to the legislature, at conferences and public meetings, etc.)
  • appropriately use discretion in all work activities and ensure confidential information is managed appropriately
• Must be proficient in English (oral and written) for effective communication with board members, staff, partners, and the public
• Must be committed to the District’s work on diversity, equity, and inclusion, including utilizing tools such as an equity lens in decision making

Preferred Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities

• Familiarity and experience with the mission and work of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and other natural resource agencies and organizations
• Skills in developing strategic partnerships and managing complex projects to address working lands conservation, clean water, healthy soil, diverse habitat, and rural and urban conservation issues
• Knowledge of conservation-related grant opportunities, partnerships, and resource-leveraging methods
• Knowledge of Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 568.210 – 568.890, Oregon Department of Agriculture Guidelines for SWCDs, Oregon public meetings law, Oregon public contracting law, and Oregon local budget law
• Ability to inspire others to care about and participate in natural resource conservation
• Experience building organizational capacity and board development
• Knowledge of human resources issues, including state and federal employment-related laws and mandates
• Bilingual in Spanish and English

Other requirements

To perform the duties of this position, the Executive Director must serve as an incidental motor vehicle operator. This may require the operation of a motor vehicle on both public and private roads during daylight hours and after dark, including in inclement weather. A valid driver’s license is required. Mileage will be reimbursed when the Executive Director uses their personal vehicle for District business. The position requires travel throughout Benton County and the Willamette Valley. Occasional travel in Oregon (but beyond Benton County and the Willamette Valley) is required for training and meetings. See also the “Physical Demands and Work Environment” section of this job description.

Guidelines

Performance of assigned duties is completed in accordance with established procedures. Procedures that cover the assigned work include the District’s Annual Work Plans, District Policies and Procedures, Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 568.210 – 568.890, Oregon Department of Agriculture Guidelines for SWCDs, Oregon public meetings law, Oregon public contracting law, and Oregon local budget law.

Complexity

The Executive Director must work as an integral member of the District staff by coordinating and sharing information and resources with administrative and program staff and with board members as needed to accomplish the goals and objectives that have been identified in the Strategic Planning process.

The Executive Director may be faced with complications, such as: conflicting guidelines and policies among federal, state, and local governing bodies; incompatible objectives among various user groups or even among internal programs and priorities; and demands for services or conservation actions that exceed District capacity and available resources.

The Executive Director must be versatile and skillful in responding to new, changing, and challenging environmental conditions, regulatory requirements, and modifications to previously agreed-upon plans and conclusions.

SECTION 5. SUPERVISION

The Executive Director reports to the seven-member Benton SWCD Board of Directors. The Board Chair is the direct supervisor for the Executive Director position. Regular contact is expected with the Chair and the Treasurer. Directors are elected to a four-year term.

SECTION 6. PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The Executive Director will have an assigned desk, telephone, and computer at the District office. The District has a telework policy that allows employees to work from home part-time, as determined on an individual basis. The District office is the primary workstation for this position. The position involves extensive computer and telephone work, and frequent interruptions. It also involves occasional travel to the offices of partner organizations and agencies.  Work hours may be unpredictable. Attendance at evening meetings is required. Occasional attendance at weekend events is required. Occasional overnight travel of 3-5 days to attend conferences and training is required. Infrequent fieldwork such as site visits with staff may be required.