Executive Director

Background:

The High Plains Environmental Center (HPEC or 'the Center') is a living
laboratory designed to explore the connections between sustainable living and
ecological processes. We promote understanding of the interactions between the
natural and built environments, inspire stewardship and foster personal and
community well being. This mission is accomplished through collaborations and
partnerships with local constituencies, and through educational programs offered
to the Northern Colorado community, school groups, Centerra residential and
commercial neighbors, developers, planners, and other synergistic organizations.

The High Plains Environmental Center was created in 2001 as an interactive
environmental education center with approximately 275 acres of lakes, wetlands
and trails and an indoor facility with displays, activities, classroom space and a
research library. The idea for the HPEC was championed by McStain
Neighborhoods and McWhinney Enterprises, development partners in a new
mixed-use community in Loveland, Colorado. It was established to steward and
manage the lakes and wetlands of this community long into the future, maintaining
a focus on conservation and education, and exploring the sustainable interaction
of the built and natural environments. The Loveland City Council was
instrumental in ensuring the long-term success of the Center by approving
development agreements that allocated on-going building permit revenues and
transfer fees from the development to help fund the nonprofit.

Duties:

To lead and facilitate all aspects of two 501 (c)(3) nonprofit entities: the High
Plains Environmental Center and the High Plains Foundation (HPF or 'the
Foundation') located in the Centerra development of Loveland, Colorado. The
Executive Director oversees the environmental education programs, and the
administrative, fiscal, structural, fundraising, and strategic visioning activities. The
most significant short-term goals of this position include increasing public
awareness, program development, infrastructure and interpretive signage
development, and fundraising.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience

BA or BS degree, Masters degree or equivalent experience in Environmental
Policy/Management or related fields. Demonstrated success in project
management, environmental education, nonprofit administration and fundraising is
required.

Knowledge and Skills

Familiarity and confidence in working with many different constituencies,
excellent written and oral communication skills including public speaking and
grant writing, organizational networking and volunteer management skills.

Compensation:

The salary range is $40,000 - $55,000. HPEC provides competitive salary,
medical and dental benefits.

Closing Date: March 1, 2003

Application Instructions:

Interested candidates should send their rsum and cover letter to:

HPEC Search Committee
c/o McStain Neighborhoods
75 Manhattan Dr
Boulder CO 80303