Executive Director

District Overview
The RCD is a non-regulatory special local district established in 1941. The RCD is governed by a five-member Board of Directors, which currently employs a technical and professional staff of seven and is entirely grant funded.  Current District programs are available in the Salinas River, Pajaro River and Elkhorn Slough watersheds of Monterey County.  These programs include: outreach and technical assistance supporting soil conservation and water quality improvement; treatment wetland demonstration projects and the evaluation of conservation practices for contaminant load reductions; wetland and riparian habitat restoration projects; and consultation and implementation of irrigation, nutrient and pest management programs.  An area of emphasis is outreach and technical assistance to traditionally underserved groups, particularly low income and Hispanic growers. This region includes some of the most productive and intensively farmed cropland in America and world class wildlife habitat and biodiversity. This work is on the frontier of optimizing environmental quality and production agriculture.

Position Summary
The Resource Conservation District of Monterey County (RCD) is currently seeking applications for a highly motivated, self-directed and enthusiastic Executive Director to oversee all aspects of District operations including the execution of Board policy and programmatic oversight and development. The Executive Director will be the direct liaison with the Board of Directors and serve as the face of the District with the agricultural, regulatory and environmental communities and the public at large. The ideal candidate will have experience in nonprofit management and organizational development and will have demonstrated successes in securing and managing grants. Candidates must posses a strong desire to identify new partnerships and programs, and sustain and expand existing ones and ultimately, to embrace and achieve the mission of the RCD by developing and sustaining programs to provide technical assistance and education to growers and landowners, helping them voluntarily conserve natural resources.

The Executive Director reports to a 5 member Board of Directors and supervises all District staff.  Current District staff a ¾ time Program Director, a ¾ time Financial Manager, a full-time Project Manager, two full-time Project Coordinators, and a full-time Engineering Technician.  This dynamic team with its diverse expertise supports the Executive Director and Board in the development and execution of District programs and policies. 

Position Description

General Duties

1. Supervise all operational aspects of the District including paid staff, partners and volunteers.
2. Supervise and oversee all programmatic, financial and legal operational aspects of the District.
3. Maintain transparent and effective communications with staff and serve as liaison between staff and the Board of Directors.
4. Supervise personnel in an efficient and effective manner including developing job descriptions, recruiting, hiring, determining compensation, promotion, discipline and termination.
5. Maintain thorough knowledge of current and newly emerging issues affecting agricultural operations and the resource base in Monterey County and on the Central Coast

Programmatic Duties

1. Initiate and lead programmatic development and expansion by building partnerships and actively seeking opportunities for appropriate grant applications and funding opportunities.
2. Supervise all aspects of grant oversight and management, and serve as primary point of contact for all grant applications and contracts.
3. Provide a visible presence or “face” for the District through public interactions within the community and partners.
4. Manage and administer all federal, state, and county grants, including the development of contracts with granting agencies, development of subcontracts with project partners, and the timely submission of required progress reports and invoices.
5. Identify obstacles and barriers to programs and projects and work with grant managers to find solutions.
6. Solicit, develop and manage subcontracts for services.

Financial Duties

1. Ensure District operations continue in a fiscally responsible manner and maintain transparency
2. Oversee the development of budget projections and identify needs and opportunities to ensure adequate funding to maintain existing staff and expand programs where appropriate.
3. Oversee financial management and reporting, including monthly financial reports to the Board of Directors, preparation of the annual budget and preparation for independent audits.
4. Monitoring of cash flow, enforcement of financial policies for expenditures, and purchase authorizations.
5. Oversee the development of annual programs and operating budgets and obtain Board approval.

Board Relations

1. Attend all Board Meetings
2. Report regularly to the Board regarding achievement of District objectives, current and projected financial status and provide updates on current projects and other issues relevant to the Board
3. In coordination with the Board of Directors, develop and implement a strategic plan and budget for the organization with specific goals, time frames and financial requirements.

Skills and Qualifications

Required Skills/Experience:

1. Ability to lead the District with vision, enthusiasm and a “can do” attitude
2. Five years professional experience in a non-profit, public agency or similar organization
3. Two to three years professional experience in organizational management including staff, program and financial supervision.
4. Knowledge of and/or experience with the changing world of non-profit management (e.g creating an effective business environment, strategic planning, information technology and planning, fundraising and marketing, etc.)
5. Bachelor’s degree in business administration, natural sciences or social sciences such as: environmental studies, ecology, biology, planning, environmental science, civil, agricultural or environmental engineering, hydrology, geology, soil science, landscape architecture, agronomy, or environmental toxicology.
6. Ability to work with and collaborate with a variety of different stakeholders including established and emerging partners, for-profit businesses, members of the public and the agricultural, governmental and environmental communities.
7. Strong written communication skills, including public relations, grant writing and reporting.
8. Excellent oral communication skills, organizational skills and multitasking ability.
9. Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software.
10. Highly motivated and self directing and the ability to prioritize and coordinate workload.
11. Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team.
12. Experience engaging and collaborating with diverse groups and stakeholders, including landowners, growers, industry representatives, researchers, nonprofits, public agencies and citizens.
13. Experience working under, writing and/or managing grants.

Desirable Skills/Experience

1. Certificate in Non Profit Management and/or Masters Degree from an accredited college or university in a related field: business administration, watershed management; endangered species protection; environmental law; policy and planning; or project management.
2. Existing positive relationships and ability to connect with leaders in the Central Coast agricultural, environmental and/or natural resource community
3. Knowledge of production agriculture and/or natural resource conservation principles and science, specifically irrigation management, nutrient and/or pest management, hydrology, erosion, stormwater runoff, and/or native plant and animal communities.
4. Familiarity with food production, water quality science, and regulations governing work in streams/wetlands.
5. Experience communicating with government and elected officials and managing complex projects involving multiple jurisdictions.
6. Ability to identify circumstances and obtain permits for projects that have a nexus with the regulatory authority of local, state or federal agencies
7. Experience with revegetation planning and restoration.
8. Spanish fluency desirable

Position Information:
The Executive Director Position is exempt and expected to be a 75%-100% full-time position based on a Monday through Friday daytime schedule. Job related travel is required and some weekend and overnight travel may be necessary. Approved travel expenses incurred while conducting official RCD business will be paid on a reimbursable basis.  A valid California driver’s license and proof of insurance is required.

Compensation:
Financial compensation is competitive and will be commensurate with applicable experience.  The incumbent will be eligible for enrollment in the RCD group health insurance plan with an annual employer contribution equivalent to 100% employee-only coverage of an RCD selected medical and vision plan and a monthly dental stipend.  Five (5) days of paid management leave are provided each year beginning January 1 and ending December 31.  Additional benefits are prorated based on percentage full time employment and include 16 paid holidays and 23 days of paid annual leave which accrue uniformly throughout the year and increase with tenure.  

Application Procedures:
Applicants must submit a letter of interest, resume, salary history and requirements, and full contact information for at least 3 professional references to: The Resource Conservation District of Monterey County, Attn: Melanie Beretti, 744 La Guardia Street, Building A, Salinas CA, 93905.  Applicants are also strongly encouraged to concurrently submit application materials electronically to Melanie.Beretti@rcdmonterey.org. For additional information about the position or District programs, please contact Ms. Beretti directly at 831-262-1199.

Deadline:
This position is open until filled.  We will prioritize applications for review that are received by March 21, 2008 to qualify for the first round of interviews. Short-listed applicants will be notified within one week and interviews will be scheduled no later than the week of March 31, 2008. Visit www.rcdmonterey.org for position updates and subsequent interview rounds.

Employment Eligibility Verification:
The successful applicant will be asked to show proof of citizenship or provide documentation indicating they are legally eligible to work in the United States. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and may be modified or revoked without notice.

The Resource Conservation District is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates reflecting the social diversity of California are strongly encouraged to apply.