Job Description

ABOUT EMSWCD:
The East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) is a unit of local government serving Northwest Oregon’s Multnomah County east of the Willamette River. It is led by an elected board of five directors. They work entirely on a voluntary, non-regulatory basis. The organization’s work is geared toward keeping water clean, conserving water, and keeping soil healthy.

To learn more about EMSWCD, visit their website at emswcd.org

OVERVIEW OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION:
As the leader of EMSWCD, the Executive Director is responsible for the overall implementation of the strategic plan initiatives and annual goals. Prioritizing open and collaborative leadership with the elected board of directors and staff is key. A focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in conservation work, as well as deep commitment to responding to the impacts of climate change on water, land, and people are also key elements of success for this position. The Executive Director will continue to grow a culture of trust and accountability for the organization and its constituents.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:
Organizational Leadership (25%)

• Facilitate strategic planning and continue to grow a culture of trust, engagement, and learning.
• Foster mutually beneficial relationships with a broad range of current and future partners, including:

1. Farmers and rural landowners.
2. Conservation partners.
3. Local and statewide government entities.
4. Community benefit organizations.
5. BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and other marginalized groups.

• Work with the Board and staff to ensure the implementation of the strategic plan, annual work plan, equity plan, and other organizational plans. Ensure accountability for their implementation.
• Work with the Board and staff to identify ways to increase organizational capacity and effectiveness.
• Represent and promote the work of EMSWCD to public and partner organizations.
• As appropriate, serve as primary contact for media and the public.
• Actively participate and contribute to equity-related efforts.

Personnel and Organizational Management (25%)

• Establish an open, transparent, and inclusive work environment.
• Facilitate conversations and decisions that focus on community engagement and program execution to meet organizational metrics, where appropriate.
• Supervise staff members directly and indirectly. Position includes the authority to make hiring and discipline decisions.
• Engage Leadership Team members in building cohesive management and inclusive decision-making that further the work of the organization.
• Identify staff development opportunities and provide coaching, training, and mentoring opportunities as appropriate.
• Provide oversight for recruitment, selection, and orientation of new staff.
• Conduct performance reviews of the Leadership Team; ensure that all staff reviews are carried out according to District policy.
• Ensure the District meets all local, state, and federal personnel and safety laws.
• Ensure maintenance of personnel files and job descriptions.
• Recommend updates and changes to personnel policies and procedures as needed.

Fiscal Management (20%)

• In collaboration with finance staff, ensure budget development for EMSWCD operations is reflective of EMSWCD values.
• Work with Leadership Team to ensure that the entire budget is in keeping with the Board’s direction and that sufficient information is provided to the Budget Committee.
• Act as a signer on checks and contracts up to dollar amount set by the Board.
• Ensure that the Board is fully engaged and informed throughout the budget process and beyond.
• Approve all expenses, ensure fiscal controls are operating properly, and that state contracting laws are being followed.
• Identify opportunities to leverage and conserve EMSWCD financial resources.
• Work with the finance staff to ensure that EMSWCD is fiscally responsible and fully accountable.
• Work with the board, staff, and community to develop a financial model reflective of EMSWCD’s role in ending inequities in conservation investments.

Board Management (20%)

• Provide support, information, and recommendations to the Board.
• Provide orientation for newly elected directors and associate directors.
• Provide training and guidance in governance practices enabling the Board to set vision and direction while enabling staff to focus on implementation.
• Facilitate board development opportunities in strategic planning, community engagement, and creating inclusive conservation programming.
• Regular support of the Board, including:
  • Draft board agendas in coordination with the Chair;
  • Review board minutes and materials going out in board packets;
  • Ensure board members receive information relevant to their deliberation and decisions.
• Track and implement Board decisions.
• Initiate process for annual Executive Director performance review.
• Develop, maintain, and ensure adherence to policies that ensure safety, legal compliance, appropriate risk management, transparency, and responsiveness to the public.

Reporting (10%)

• Ensure completion of annual report and annual work plan.
• Take the lead on organizing EMSWCD’s annual meeting.
• Ensure that funder reporting requirements are met.
• Ensure that reporting is presented in a way that is accessible to a diverse public and reflects a commitment to transparency and increasing awareness about EMSWCD programs and accomplishments.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position directly supervises the Leadership Team consisting of the Chief of Finance and Operations; Rural Lands Program Supervisor; Urban Lands Program Supervisor; and  Community Outreach and Engagement Program Supervisor.
• Actively supervise assigned staff (and/or volunteers). Develop work plans and conduct performance reviews annually. Regularly monitor activities, coach, mentor, and provide performance feedback as necessary.

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Demonstrated relationship-builder and facilitator with an ability to inspire, encourage, empower, and lead staff through collaborative leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to work without direct supervision, establish work priorities and manage time to meet EMSWCD deadlines and goals.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse staff and build diversity within the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups and individuals outside of the organization to expand EMSWCD’s reach and engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to review budgets, manage government funding streams and engage in financial planning with finance staff.
• Demonstrated ability to manage staff as individual contributors and as a team, including goal-setting, metrics and evaluation criteria, leadership training, and staff development.
• Demonstrated ability to 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.
• Knowledge of natural resource conservation issues and of natural resource agencies and organizations.
• A strong natural resource conservation ethic.
• Extensive experience in building organizational capacity and in board development.
• Training, engagement, and implementation in equitable and inclusive hiring and Leadership practices.
• Motivated and courageous in engaging staff and leaders to seek multiple perspectives and check assumptions.
• Preferred bilingual in Spanish or other languages spoken in the region.
• Established relationships with culturally specific communities and leaders.
• Commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and demonstrated growth in DEI skills, including leading change at previous organizations.
• Must be proficient in English (oral and written) for communicating with EMSWCD Board members, staff, partner staff, and office callers and visitors.
• Ability to communicate with a wide variety of people, communities, and entities on a regular basis. May include media, government officials, community members, and partner agencies.
• Actively participate and contribute to equity-related efforts.
• Ability to ensure compliance with EMSWCD policy, state, federal and local requirements.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and project leadership skills.
• Ability to multi-task efficiently and switch priorities as needed. Ability to work calmly and effectively under deadlines.
• Excellent written & verbal communication skills, including plain language skills.
• Ability to appropriately use discretion in all work activities. Ability to ensure confidential information is managed appropriately.
• The ability to present in an engaged manner with diverse populations, including constituents, clients, public officials, community groups, and other business partners.
• Ability to work independently, be proactive and self-directed.
• Cooperative and collaborative team member. Ability to communicate in a professional and respectful manner with all colleagues, constituents, clients, public officials, community groups, and other business partners.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and standard communications platforms effectively and efficiently.
• Performance of assigned duties is completed in accordance with established procedures. Procedures that cover the assigned work include EMSWCD annual work plans, EMSWCD policies and procedures, Oregon Department of Agriculture Guidelines for SWCDs, and Oregon public meetings law.

Other Responsibilities:

• Ensure that EMSWCD meets its legal obligations.
• Active participation in team and organization-wide staff meetings.
• Represent EMSWCD in a positive and professional manner to constituents, clients, public officials, community groups, and other business partners. Attend business-related functions as requested by the Executive Director or Program Supervisor.
• Actively participate and contribute to equity-related efforts.
• Other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.

About Motus Recruiting and Staffing, Inc.
Founded in 2006, Motus is an award-winning recruiting and staffing firm in the Pacific Northwest, specializing in professional services and technology solutions. We are a group of people who not only recognize the importance of representation but actively fight for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the recruitment process. Our goal is to educate organizations on the importance of DEI when hiring, promoting, and supporting diverse employees. We are calling organizations to demonstrate their commitment to DEI by being intentional about whom they hire.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability, or protected veteran status.

How to Apply

Job Categories: Conservation. Job Types: Full-Time. Job Tags: climate, conservation, environmental, soil, and water. Salaries: 100,000 and above.

Apply for this Job