Opportunity
If you would like to work for a vibrant local land conservancy committed to the concept of the importance of the stewardship of the land and located in a naturally beautiful and culturally rich small-college community, please apply for the position of Executive Director of the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation (WRLF) by submitting a letter of interest, a resume, and the names of references with contact information to ruraland@wrlf.org Attn. Search Committee. If you have a passion for nature as well as vision, imagination and energy, this is a wonderful and challenging opportunity to lead an established conservancy into the future.The position will remain open until filled. The Search Committee plans to begin interviewing candidates by the end of the year, with the goal of the successful candidate’s assuming the position of Executive Director in spring 2017. Thank you for your expression of interest in WRLF.
Position Overview
The Executive Director should be energetic, resourceful, committed to the land conservation and the education missions of WRLF and be passionate about the fundamental importance of the environment and its preservation. The ideal candidate will have the ability to manage multiple initiatives with competing priorities while maintaining attention to detail. The Executive Director should also be someone comfortable with public speaking and community outreach, able to coordinate with other regional conservation organizations and eager to engage in an inclusive manner with a sophisticated, educated community.The Executive Director must be fully capable of leading the strategic and daily operations of a 30-year-old local land trust and educational organization with 588 acres under management and an asset base of $3.5 million dollars.
The position involves overseeing staff and Board relations, managing general finances, implementing land stewardship, coordinating land conservation projects, designing educational programming, fundraising and grant writing, and developing innovative initiatives to expand our membership base, particularly among younger generations. WRLF is a financially stable organization with an annual operating budget over $200,000 and an endowment of nearly $1,000,000. In addition to the Executive Director, there are currently one full-time assistant director and two part-time staff members, with additional assistance provided by volunteers, college students, interns and consultants.
Preferred Qualifications
• Five years’ experience working in land conservation or education with a preference given to candidates with a degree in natural resources or environmental policy or a related field. Familiarity with the non-profit sector is desirable• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage an organization
• An outgoing, engaging personality with strong oral and written communications skills and the willingness to interact with people from diverse backgrounds and ages
• The ability to develop and maintain positive working relations with Board members, staff and volunteers, as well as conservation partners, landowners and the Town, and a sensitivity to the Town’s multiple interests
• Demonstrated ability to plan and implement programs and to engage in grant writing, strategic planning, and fiscal management
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends
• Computer proficiency in and knowledge of Microsoft programs, together with social media and website platforms
• The ability to meet the physical demands of land conservation and stewardship, including property visits, natural resource inventories and land and trail management
