Executive Director

JOB DESCRIPTION

Reports to: Board of Directors

We are approaching our 40th year as an environmental education center with a small working farm. Our mission: On every acre, in all we do, we plant seeds for a lifetime of active engagement with the natural world. We accomplish our mission in many ways: We have the joy of working with children, families, and adults in our general NPF programs. On a typical year, we work with over 5,000 school children in our hands-on field trip programs. Our five main program areas are the environment, agriculture (including the farm, honeybees, gardens), history (including lifeways of Eastern Woodland Indians, life in early Redding), science, and the arts (including Art Shows, craft programs, play readings, Earth Art programs, and more). In 1975, a decade before we opened our doors as a year-round center, our founder, actress Carmen Mathews, started a very small residential summer camp for inner city children. This impactful program has been a cornerstone of our goal to connect children from urban areas of Connecticut with the wonders of the natural world. Since 1985 our initiatives with urban youth have extended throughout the school year as well. Thanks to generous members of the Education Center, and philanthropic businesses and foundations, we have been able to design and offer programs to classes from Title One Schools, both on our property and in the schools, by providing scholarships; and we have offered summer camp experiences for children, all on full scholarship.

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Executive Director (ED) is responsible for leading and managing the staff and operations of New Pond Farm Education Center (NPFEC) in accordance with its strategic plan under the guidance of the Board of Directors. The ED secures the resources necessary to fulfill NPFEC’s mission, annual operations, and capital projects by cultivating financial and community support from individuals, foundations, corporations, educational entities, organizations, and governmental entities. The ED ensures the proper management of the facilities, land, and property by working towards continual improvements to visitor amenities and programs. The ED works closely with the Board of Directors to ensure the strategic plan and other plans are current, relevant, and updated as necessary, and provides the support needed to the board to ensure quality governance and strategic planning.

KEY ATTRIBUTES:

1. Passion for the NPFEC’s mission, vision, and values
2. Respect for the organization’s history and evolution, and connection with the
   Redding Land Trust
3. Experience in not-for-profit management, marketing and communication,
   grant writing, donor and fiscal management.
4. Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
5. Knowledge of personnel management, including the ability to recruit, hire, and supervise full and part-time employees and volunteers.
6. Ability to partner with community organizations.
7. Leadership, managerial, interpersonal, and computer skills
8. A strong interest in environmental topics and education.

ADMINISTRATION:

1. Provides leadership of short-term and long-term strategic planning activities by collaborating with staff to implement educational programs and activities of NPFEC.
2. Demonstrates initiative, adaptability, and an initiative-taking, solution-oriented response to opportunities and challenges.
3. Introduces and adapts new ideas, approaches and methods to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Education Center programs and its operations.
4. Ensures that the board, staff, and programs operate in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
5. Develops and strengthens relationships with members, major donors, students, volunteers, business partners, foundations, and other area non-profits.
6. Ensure all annual maintenance is up to date, i.e., septic, fire alarms, fire systems, HVAC, etc.

FISCAL MANAGEMENT

1. Ensures that NPFEC operates as a not-for-profit business in accordance with IRS 501(c)(3) regulations using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and that a yearly audit is completed.
2. Works with the board of directors on long range and annual strategic planning for both programs and financial sustainability.
3. Collaborating with the staff, develops realistic annual operating and development budgets that fit within the organization’s Investment Policy Statement.
4. Prepares quarterly reports for the Treasurer and Finance Committee and alerts the Finance Committee of any significant variances.

PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

1. Works with staff members to accomplish annual strategic initiatives by establishing and maintaining clear patterns of authority, responsibility, supervision, and communication.
2. Demonstrates excellent communication and delegation skills and promotes an open exchange of information and ideas. Provides timely, candid, and constructive performance feedback.
3. Develops and uses an effective system of personnel policies, including recruitment, selection, training, appraisal, incentive, compensation, discipline, and termination.
4. Recruits and trains a highly qualified and motivated staff that meet the highest standards of customer service, safety, and program quality.

DEVELOPMENT

1. Plans for future revenue needs and resources to sustain the programs and operations.
2. Works with the board to develop a Legacy Society for the future financial security of the organization.
3. Works with development staff and board of directors to design and conduct ongoing fundraising and development activities, including cultivating major/individual donors, foundation and corporate support and agency partners.
4. 1. 1.  

MARKETING & COMMUNITY RELATIONS

1. Establishes and maintains the local, regional profile of NPFEC through public, professional, and personal contacts that project the organization’s commitment to excellence.
2. Partner with community and regional organizations to deliver programs.
3. Design and produce latest information for the website, social media and other marketing areas such as program advertisement, quarterly newsletter, membership letters, etc.

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and references (in pdf format) by email to:
Chris Hughes, Office Manager
Chris@newpondfarm.org