Executive Director
Posted by Ojai Valley Land Conservancy on 06/10/2019
Job Basics
Industry Sector: Outdoor
Job Categories: Management
Company Type: Conservation
State: CA
City: Ojai
Country: United States
Required Experience: 7 - 10 years
Contact Name: Lu Setnicka
Contact Phone: 805-701-8935
Job Type: Full Time
Salary:
Required to Relocate: Yes
Required to Travel: Yes
Employee May Telecommute: No
Job Seeker Must Live Within: 5 miles
Job Description & Requirements
Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
June 2019
JOB OPPORTUNITY
Position Title: Executive Director, Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, Ojai, CA
Classification:Full-Time Exempt
Salary: Industry standard, commensurate with experience including full benefits package
Reports To: Board of Directors
Purpose and Overview
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC), https://ovlc.org, is a nationally accredited land trust with a small staff, dedicated volunteers and a big mission. The Executive Director provides leadership, strategy and inspiration to enable OVLC to achieve its mission to permanently acquire, protect, restore, and conserve lands cherished by our community for the use and enjoyment of this and future generations. The OVLC, established in 1987, currently protects more than 2,300 acres of open space and manages 27 miles of recreational trails. Funding for the OVLC comes from broad-based community support, government, private foundations and environmental mitigation funds. The conservancy counts 1,250 members and is governed by an eleven-member board, with a dedicated staff of eight.
Location:
The Ojai Valley is a picturesque community of 27,000 people and is adjacent to Los Padres National Forest, 15 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. The community is comprised of residential, agricultural and wild lands - citrus and avocado trees abound.
Position Summary
The Executive Director is responsible for the organization as a whole, ensuring the organization achieves its conservation mission in a highly strategic and focused manner. The Executive Director is supported by OVLC’s Board of Directors, the senior team of Deputy, Stewardship, and Conservation Directors, a dedicated staff, and an engaged group of volunteers. Our new Executive Director will have a genuine passion and enthusiasm for land conservation and our mission. The Executive Director will be responsible for providing leadership for the overall planning, direction, and implementation of OVLC’s programs and operations, and for leading and managing an interdisciplinary team responsible for implementing OVLC’s strategic plan.
Scope and Responsibilities
A. Lands and Easements:
= Direct acquisition projects, including leading the Land Committee and Board in evaluating and deciding on land protection projects
= Serve as a primary OVLC representative with landowners regarding potential donations and acquisitions and with landowners whose lands are under OVLC protection
= Assists the conservation efforts to build and nurture relationships with landowners, key stakeholders and agency partners
- Fundraising/Public Outreach/Marketing:
= Oversee the successful development and implementation of an annual fundraising plan
= Represent OVLC through public presentation and participation in community events
= Work with Deputy Director in solicitation of major gifts and planned giving programs and in the implementation of all membership recruitment and retention programs and fundraising activities
= Serve as primary media contact for OVLC, creating press releases and media advisories
= Oversee and contribute to social media communications and ensure OVLC website is up to date and accurate
- Fiscal Management:
= Work with Treasurer to create annual operating budget and operating plan for Board approval and oversee implementation
= Ensure accuracy of monthly financial statements and regular evaluation and reporting of budget results
= Obtain a satisfactory audit annually
= With accounting firm, file OVLC’s Federal and State 990 returns
- Stewardship:
= Ensure baseline documentation and management plans for newly acquired properties and easements is created
= Set annual priorities for maintaining and improving existing properties, and conduct and record annual easement monitoring
= Conduct site visits to OVLC’s most frequented properties for stewardship needs and assist with major stewardship work projects
- Strategy:
= Lead OVLC in developing strategic plans and in establishing short and long-range organizational goals
= Maintain up-to-date Strategic Conservation Plan
= Serve as primary OVLC representative in local matters that relate to conservation, and with regional and national trusts
- Governance and Administration:
= Attend all Board of Director and committee meetings
= Serve as primary staff contact for Board members
= Communicate relevant information regarding OVLC finances and programs to Board at each Board meeting
= Supervise staff including setting objectives, managing and evaluating performance and developing senior professional staff
= Ensure OVLC compliance with organizations’ policies and procedures, government rules and regulations, required licenses and permits, and Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices
= Maintain LTAC accreditation status and prepare for renewal of accreditation
= Ensure that systems are in place for effective financial management, fundraising management and conservation management
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have a relevant degree and significant work experience in land conservation in a management or executive capacity; the ability to manage conservation projects, including acquisition of fee properties and conservation easements, monitoring and stewarding lands, and enforcing legal protections; working knowledge of real estate, tax and conservation law, conservation science, accounting and personnel management. The candidate will be a strong leader with a demonstrated record of success in fundraising and community outreach, including experience leading one or more capital campaigns. The candidate will have managed a small professional staff and feel comfortable in a leadership/mentoring role. A solid knowledge of land conservancy and environmental issues is essential.
Key personal attributes include:
- Strong leadership and staff management skills (hands-on, team-oriented)
- Ability to lead and collaborate with the Board of Directors
- Highest personal ethics and integrity
- An articulate, convincing and extroverted communicator/interpersonal presence
- True passion for the work of the Conservancy
- Attention to detail and follow through
To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume and references with contact information via e-mail to: Lu Setnicka, Setnicka Consulting, lu.setnicka@gmail.com
About Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC) is a nationally accredited land trust with a small staff, dedicated volunteers and a big mission. It's mission is to permanently acquire, protect, restore, and conserve lands cherished by California's Ojai Valley community for the use and enjoyment of this and future generations. The OVLC, established in 1987, currently protects more than 2,300 acres of open space and manages 27 miles of recreational trails. Funding for the OVLC comes from broad-based community support, government, private foundations and environmental mitigation funds. The conservancy counts 1,250 members and is governed by an eleven-member board, with a dedicated staff of eight.
