Description

The Executive Director is responsible for advocacy, fundraising, leadership, and organizational management for Friends of Rose Canyon. The Executive Director will coordinate the support of community members, volunteers, other organizations, government agencies, the Board of Directors and, when necessary, legal counsel. This position requires a collaborative leader who is passionate about environmental stewardship community engagement, and nonprofit sustainability

Role Specifications

• Part-time (approximately 20 – 25 hours per week)
• Work-from-home, remote, and in-person work required, including some evening and weekend events
• Requires maintaining a regular presence in Rose Canyon to observe habitat conditions, monitor or participate in restoration projects, meet with staff, volunteers, members of the public, contractors, City of San Diego Open Space Park rangers, or others 
• Reports to the Board of Directors
• Supervises two part-time employees: a seasonal Education Coordinator and a Restoration Coordinator

Key Responsibilities

• Advocacy and Outreach
  • Develop, coordinate and conduct community outreach strategy, education events, and engagement opportunities
  • Advocate to protect Rose Canyon and the Rose Creek watershed at remote and in-person meetings, hearings, and in environmental coalitions; work with outside legal counsel as needed
  • Maintain and grow existing networks of relationships and collaborate on advocacy efforts with other environmental organizations
• Fundraising and Communications
  • Research and write grant proposals and donation requests; ensure grant compliance; prepare and submit required grant reports
  • Cultivate relationships with existing and potential donors; strengthen community engagement through email, social media, attendance at meetings and events
  • Maintain donor and volunteer databases; manage donor and email software programs
• Organizational Leadership and Administration
  • Work closely with the Board of Directors to advance the organization's mission, and collaborate on strategic priorities and implement Board-approved strategic priorities 
  • Prepare and present regular reports on programs, finances, and organizational activities
• Program and Project Management and Administration
  • Oversee and manage the planning and implementation of our habitat restoration projects and our nature education walks in coordination with other part-time employees of the organization
  • Manage budget, oversee payroll administration and financial reporting and work with accountant to ensure compliance with all nonprofit and regulatory requirements
  • Maintain and upgrade data systems and website

Requirements

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience showing passion for nature, conservation, and community
• engagement
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in nonprofit leadership or management
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising, grant writing, donor cultivation, or related
• resource development activities

Preferred Experience and Knowledge

• Experience in advocacy and work on successful environmental protection eXorts
• Familiarity with San Diego’s environmental community, environmental issues and
• California state and federal environmental agencies
• Familiarity with San Diego’s native habitats
• Experience with habitat restoration, outdoor nature education, or related environmental
• work

Key Competencies

• Proven organizational and time management skills to manage multiple responsibilities
• independently
• Strong writing and public speaking communications skills
• Ability to effectively network and influence local environmental policy
• Ability to leverage digital tools and applications to operate the organization efficiently and effectively

Physical Demands / Work Environment

This position requires remote office work and in-person work in Rose Canyon and other City of San Diego canyons, as well as attendance at in-person meetings and events. The Executive Director is expected to maintain a regular presence in Rose Canyon, on trails and at project sites. Duties include traversing ungroomed and rough trails, uneven ground, steep slopes, loose gravel, and other outdoor conditions commonly found in Rose Canyon. The Executive Director will participate in canyon site visits, occasionally lead outdoor meetings or tours, observe or participate in restoration and stewardship activities, meet with volunteers and partners in the field, and attend education programs and other outdoor events. The position requires the ability to perform these functions with or without reasonable accommodation. The selected candidate must successfully complete a background check and meet organizational eligibility requirements applicable to this position.