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POSITION SPECIFICATION<\/strong><\/p>\n Executive Director<\/em><\/p>\n North Cascades Institute seeks our next Executive Director to lead the organization in inspiring environmental stewardship and a community of belonging through transformative learning experiences in nature.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND<\/strong><\/p>\n North Cascades Institute is a regional conservation organization with a national reputation focused on \u201ctransformative learning experiences in nature,\u201d including place-based environmental education, outdoor recreation, health and wellness, conservation, environmental justice, and community engagement.<\/p>\n The Institute was established in 1986 to connect people, nature, and community in the Pacific Northwest. We do this through science, art, literature, storytelling, and direct engagement with the natural and cultural history of the region. Many of our programs are conducted at the world class North Cascades Environmental Learning Center, a green-built residential facility that opened in 2005, which we operate in partnership with the National Park Service and Seattle City Light.<\/p>\n We share a deep love of nature, especially for the North Cascades ecosystem of the Pacific Northwest. We approach our work with an entrepreneurial spirit and an enduring belief that all people have a fundamental right to learn, recreate, explore, connect, celebrate, and heal through direct relationships with natural places. As a learning institute, we are committed to cultivating a community of belonging that is welcoming and accessible to everyone so that people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can experience and enjoy the mountains, rivers, forests, people, and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest. We are looking for a leader who brings a whole-hearted approach to work and strives to create a sense of kinship, inclusion, and stewardship that encourages all to care for and protect this special place.<\/p>\n North Cascades Institute utilizes a strong endowment, a committed group of donors and customers, and a high-quality group of dedicated staff and educational, agency and school partners to deepen its ties to its region and grow the breadth of its impact. The Executive Director oversees the organization\u2019s annual operating budget of approximately $4 million, oversees 60 staff, and reports to a 16-member board of directors. The Executive Director is also responsible for advancing North Cascades Institute\u2019s vision, mission, and goals and for upholding the beliefs and values that form our organizational culture.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Strategic Goals <\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Lifelong Learning. Facilitate ongoing environmental stewardship through effective, high quality, place-based programs and digital outreach.<\/p>\n \u2022 Kinship. Cultivate an Institute community of belonging that is welcoming and accessible to ensure the Institute is relevant in a changing world.<\/p>\n \u2022 Conservation in Practice. Achieve Institute climate neutrality by 2030 and use the journey as an opportunity to inspire action in ourselves and others.<\/p>\n \u2022 Exemplary Workforce. Establish best practices for sustainability of Institute staffing and operations to ensure our ability to respond to opportunities and challenges. \u2022 Fiscal Sustainability. Maintain long-term financial sustainability to support the Institute\u2019s mission and strategic goals.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Mission <\/strong><\/p>\n To inspire environmental stewardship through transformative learning experiences in nature<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Vision <\/strong><\/p>\n Healthy Northwest ecosystems where all communities and species thrive<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Values <\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n RESPONSIBILITIES <\/strong><\/p>\n The Executive Director must be equally an educational visionary, entrepreneurial fundraiser, and an organizational leader. Areas of focus include: <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Organizational leadership, strategy, and management <\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Build on North Cascade Institute\u2019s established strengths to prioritize and drive forward its strategic goals and oversee an annual planning, budgeting, and review process that engages new ideas and an entrepreneurial mindset.<\/p>\n \u2022 Report to and work with the board of directors to ensure organizational well-being and growth.<\/p>\n \u2022 Lead, coach, hire, develop, and retain a diverse and talented staff with a focus on building the organization\u2019s capacity for skilled leadership, a welcome and accessible community, complex project and program implementation, partnership cultivation, and fundraising.<\/p>\n \u2022 Grow and build a team mentality and reinforce a positive and equitable workplace culture that flourishes with a diversity of voices and experiences.<\/p>\n \u2022 Support the development and delivery of projects and initiatives that enable transformative learning experiences in nature and a kinship across peoples and the non-human world.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Relationship building and partnership development <\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Maintain, improve, and broaden strong working relationships with park constituencies, public entities, funders, community partners, and other nonprofits.<\/p>\n \u2022 Be a welcoming ambassador of the mission to all stakeholders and deepen and expand ties with and programming for the diverse peoples of the North Cascades and surrounding area.<\/p>\n \u2022 Work alongside critical partners, especially North Cascades National Park staff, the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, Seattle City Light, and area school districts to promote the operational goals of the organization and strive towards shared goals for conservation and sustainability.<\/p>\n \u2022 Work alongside local Tribes, Bands, and First Nations to accurately and effectively acknowledge their ancestral homelands and ongoing stewardship, and to create opportunities for further learning, action, and collaboration with these communities.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Community engagement and inclusion <\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Cultivate a community of belonging that is welcoming and accessible for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to enable everyone to enjoy powerful and rewarding experiences in nature.<\/p>\n \u2022 Convene trainings and workshops to better understand and overcome cultural and physical barriers to participation.<\/p>\n \u2022 Actively and openly address institutionalized racism and the marginalization of peoples in communications and programming.<\/p>\n \u2022 Advocate for issues of concern for both the human and non-human users of the park and surrounding areas<\/p>\n \u2022 Implement strategies and benchmarks to increase diversity among staff and board.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Financial management and fundraising <\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Coordinate, develop, and monitor the organization\u2019s budget and revenue streams, balancing the Institute\u2019s short-term program goals and long-term resources to broaden and deepen its impact.<\/p>\n \u2022 Work with the board to build the organization\u2019s financial reserves and secure its financial health through growth of the Institute\u2019s program, bookstore, and development revenue<\/p>\n \u2022 Secure, maintain, and expand funding from high net worth individuals, corporations, foundations, and public partners.<\/p>\n Public communications and outreach <\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Raise the visibility of North Cascades Institute and promote awareness and enjoyment of the ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest.<\/p>\n \u2022 Oversee all public and media relations and act as the primary spokesperson for North Cascades Institute.<\/p>\n \u2022 Participate and present at conferences, symposia, and training and serve as a thought leader among peers in the nonprofit, conservation, and environmental education communities.\u00a0<\/p>\n DESIRED EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES <\/strong><\/p>\n The ideal candidate may come from a variety of career pathways. Critical to success will be a passion for the mission of the organization and a capacity to lead an established, successful organization through changing times while continuing to deliver on that mission. Executive leadership skills, paired with a creative, collaborative, and often entrepreneurial approach, are essential.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The following are desired qualities: <\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Passion for the organizational mission and deep experience working in nature with people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.<\/p>\n \u2022 A practical idealist, curious listener, provocative question asker, and creative problem solver with a demonstrated ability to think strategically and make decisions efficiently<\/p>\n \u2022 Proven leadership skills with the ability to motivate others, offer a steady hand through adversity and uncertainty, and present an inspiring and imaginative vision for the future<\/p>\n \u2022 Humble, empathetic, and inclusive of various perspectives; able to resolve conflicts and find common ground<\/p>\n \u2022 Extensive management experience in positions of increasing responsibility and authority that showcase an ability to develop the strengths of staff, board, and partners as well as acknowledge one\u2019s own areas for potential growth<\/p>\n \u2022 Previous experience in building internal capacities and creating more access for historically marginalized peoples\/groups<\/p>\n \u2022 Demonstrated fundraising experience and success, including private philanthropy, corporate donations, and government grants<\/p>\n \u2022 Experience managing a complex budget with multiple funding sources<\/p>\n \u2022 Able to maintain a wide network of stakeholders, including local, state, federal, and\/or tribal government agencies and other organizational partners, delivering clear communication and working to build cohesion<\/p>\n \u2022 Skilled in organizational development, administration, and personnel management, with attention to detail, flexibility, integrity, confidence, and a sense of humor<\/p>\n \u2022 Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills and comfort with public speaking\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n LOCATION <\/strong><\/p>\n The Executive Director position will be based out of the Institute\u2019s main office in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, with frequent travel to the Environmental Learning Center in North Cascades National Park. Remote leadership is expected until it is safe to resume working in an office setting.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n COMPENSATION <\/strong><\/p>\n This is a regular, full-time, exempt position. We offer a competitive compensation package; benefits include paid time off, medical\/dental insurance, long- and short-term disability insurance, life insurance, tax-deferred annuity and contribution retirement plan, and a yearly stipend to participate in Institute programs. Relocation assistance will be offered if necessary.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n START DATE <\/strong><\/p>\n Applicant should be available to start no later than May 1, 2021 to allow overlap with current and founding executive director Saul Weisberg, who will be retiring in June.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n TO APPLY <\/strong><\/p>\n Interested candidates should apply via email by sending a cover letter describing their qualifications that match the position criteria and what they will bring to the role, along with a resume, to Cleveland Justis at NCISearch@potrerogroup.com<\/a> with the subject line \u201cNorth Cascades Institute, Executive Director Search.\u201d Please submit your application by November 23rd<\/strong> for priority consideration.<\/p>\n Final offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check that may include employment history, national criminal background check, national sex offender registry search, and a driving history check. A valid driver\u2019s license and driving record check must have no more than one moving violation in the past three years, no DUI, reckless driving, or serious moving violations, etc.<\/p>\n\n