Executive Director

~ Established in 2007 and based in central Kentucky, Woods & Waters Land Trust (WWLT), is dedicated to conserving wildlands through voluntary conservation agreements with private landowners. ~

WWLT currently has an active board of directors with standing committees including: Conservation, Fundraising and Outreach, Performance Excellence and Executive. Woods & Waters Land Trust currently holds six conservation easements on almost 600 acres and owns 34 acres. The land trust has earned a reputation for credibility and high standards and received Land Trust Alliance Accreditation in 2017.

Position Overview

The Executive Director will coordinate and oversee all land trust operations, and provide leadership and staff supervision to support achievement of Woods & Waters Land Trust’s mission. The Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Directors to ensure the financial health of the organization and will monitor and report progress to the Board and standing committees on a regular basis. The Executive Director will oversee the day-to-day activities of the organization and the management of the organization’s office, budget, staff and properties, as well as its land acquisition, community outreach and fundraising activities. This position will provide leadership and support to the Board of Directors and is under the direct supervision of the Board President.

As the principal spokesperson of Woods & Waters Land Trust, the Executive Director must display the highest standards of professionalism, cooperation and integrity and maintain positive relationships with landowners, supporters, members of the community and our many conservation partners. The position is full time and will require occasional evening and weekend hours and travel.

Responsibilities

Organization Building (50%):

• Develop and maintain positive relations with members, donors, public agencies and other community partners.
• Creatively seek opportunities to raise funds from a diversity of sources in support of land protection projects.
• Develop and implement fundraising activities including solicitation of donors and grants, membership development, correspondence, making speeches/presentations and assisting the Board in cultivating individual donors.
• Increase public awareness and provide supporters with information of WWLT work through the newsletter, website, press releases, public speaking and distribution of promotional materials.
• Ensure compliance with Land Trust Alliance standards and practices.

Acquisitions and Stewardship (35%):

• Implement board-approved land protection and stewardship programs.
• Assist in negotiation and drafting conservation easements and ensuring adequate financial resources to complete projects.
• Identify and employ funding opportunities for land acquisitions, including government and private grants and partnerships.
• Assist in preparing management and restoration plans.
• Work with staff and volunteers to respond to conservation easement stewardship issues as needed.
• Provide oversight of WWLT’s properties and maintain good relationships with property neighbors and conservation easement property owners.

Administration (15%):

• Ensure the thorough and accurate execution of business processes necessary to complete land protection projects, including paper files, electronic files, and databases.
• Hire, supervise, assist, evaluate, develop and train staff and volunteers in performance of their duties.
• Support operation of board committees.
• Promote effective communication and working relationships among board members, volunteers and staff.

Qualifications

Required:

• The position requires a minimum 4-year degree in biology, conservation, forestry, geography or a similar field from an accredited college or university and at least five years of relevant work experience.

Knowledge, skill, and ability preferences include:

• Experience in land protection projects;
• Conservation easement stewardship;
• Volunteer management;
• Non-profit board governance;
• Staff supervision;
• Fundraising;
• Grant writing;
• Public speaking;
• The ability to develop relationships with landowners;
• Working collaboratively with personal energy, commitment and perseverance;
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills;
• Experience in use of websites, social media and email to communicate with a conservation community;
• Skilled use of diverse software, such as Microsoft Office Suite, GIS, Quick Books, Constituent Relationship Management programs; and
• The ability to ensure compliance with Land Trust Alliance’s Standards and Practices and maintain land trust accreditation status.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in the office as well as in the field.
• Travel is required to remote, isolated project sites, meetings, speaking engagements, workshops, professional associations, and other events requiring land trust participation.

Compensation and Additional Information

• Salary: Competitive salary $42,000 - $48,000; to be negotiated depending on experience and qualifications
• Benefits: 26 Paid Days Off (includes sick, holiday and vacation); Training Opportunities
• Hours: Full-time Exempt Position (40 hours per week)
• Reports to: Board of Directors
• Location: Frankfort, KY

To Apply

• Please click "Apply" below to upload a cover letter, resume and professional references via email to Heather Housman or by surface mail, attention to: Hiring Committee, Woods & Waters Land Trust, PO Box 6967, Frankfort, KY 40602.
• Applications will be accepted until April 17, 2020.
• Applications may be accepted after April 17 if the position is not filled.
• Background check will be required for the successful applicant.
• For information about Woods & Waters Land Trust and this position, visit our website.