Executive Director

About Us: 

Ever dream of climbing mountains, exploring steaming craters, witnessing the birth of a new glacier? It all happens on Mount St Helens. Be inspired by the mountain, then inspire others to the mission.

Located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, the Mount St Helens Institute (MSHI) offers people of all ages tremendous outdoor experiences an active volcano. Nearby Portland offers cultural, culinary, and civic riches. We are an organization with deep support in the community, dedicated staff, talented board of directors, and big dreams. Are you the leader who will take this dynamic and aspirational organization to new levels of providing world-class science education and outdoor experiences in an unparalleled setting?

MSHI advances understanding and stewardship of the Earth through science, education, and exploration of volcanic landscapes. We are united in our common passion for Mount St. Helens and connecting folks of all backgrounds with science, the outdoors, and each other. We value diverse perspectives, good challenges, adventure, fun, partnership, and community. MSHI is the official nonprofit partner of Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. As such, we work closely with Monument staff and operate under a US Forest Service special use permit.

MSHI fundamentally believes that its employees are a valuable source of ideas for improving operations and making the workplace more interesting and attractive. We ensure that all employees work in a positive, supportive, empowering environment free of discrimination.

Position Summary:

• Leadership: Lead the organization by modeling, facilitating, and creating a supportive, transparent, and inclusive workplace. Set the tone for and strategy for organization growth.
• Organizational Health: Lead and maintain an organizational culture that attracts, retains, and motivates a highly qualified and knowledgeable staff. Provide support for senior leadership staff in finance, HR, and development. Provide strategic guidance and direction for organizational health.
• Programs and Operations: Oversee program and operations senior leadership. Ensure resources and strategic direction are in place for operations staff to be successful and sustainable.

Minimum/Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in a related field from an accredited academic institution*
• A minimum of 5 years of successful experience in nonprofit leadership or senior management roles.
• Demonstration of successful advancement in the field of natural resource education, conservation, or related profession. 

*10 years of advancement in nonprofit leadership experience in lieu of a degree will be considered.

Professional and personal experience:

• We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the position. We encourage you to apply, even if you do not meet every one of the professional and personal experiences listed.
• Collaborative decision-making and ability to work and collaborate with others.
• Demonstrated strong management and supervisory skills.
• Strong, proven fundraising experience.
• Demonstrate leadership ability in strategic planning, board management and staff direction.
• Experience in programming, monitoring and evaluation, and supporting staff in program development and implementation.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, and administrative capabilities including computer literacy (Google Workspace, Microsoft Excel, CRM and other software).
• Passion for the outdoors.
• Enthusiasm for Mount St. Helens and the mission of the Mount St. Helens Institute.

Abilities & Working Conditions:

Some evenings and weekend work. Some travel to the Science and Learning Center at Coldwater and other locations with 2-4 hours of travel time. Minimum of 1/day/week in Amboy.

Compensation:

Salary range is $95,000-$115,000 depending on experience. Benefits include health insurance (100% employee, 50% spouse and dependents), Simple IRA retirement plan with 3% employer match, paid vacation with increased accrual based on years of continuous employment and paid sick leave.

To Apply:

Required for consideration: A cover letter specific to this position, current resume with contact information, and three professional references (Applicant will be notified before references are contacted). Submit all three required documents as one pdf with applicant’s name in the subject title.

Applications will be screened beginning July 12th, 2024, and remain open until final candidates have been identified.

Questions and/or submit to: EDSearch@mshinstitute.org Please review the Position Description.

All applications for this position will be reviewed without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran or marital status, sexual orientation, or physical ability. We are an equal opportunity employer and provider.