Job Openings
Sierra Club North Star Senior Chapter Director
The Sierra Club has opening for an Executive Director (Senior Chapter Director) for its Minnesota North Star Chapter. The Sierra Club North Star Chapter has a Minnesota membership of 22,000 and over 400 volunteer leaders and activists. Celebrating its 40th Anniversary, the Chapter has successfully worked to preserve Minnesota's environment — including campaigns to protect the BWCAW and the Superior National Forest; Clean Air and Renewable Energy; Sustainable Land Use and Transportation; and Water and Wetlands.
The Senior Chapter Director develops and implements all programs, policies, and initiatives for the Chapter and provides recommendations to the Chapter's Executive Committee regarding priorities and strategies to develop and strengthen the effectiveness of the Chapter. The Executive Committee is elected from its membership and directs all organizational and conservation strategic initiatives, goals and objectives.
Responsible for implementing strategies to meet Chapter financial and program goals, the Senior Chapter Director manages all chapter staff and operations including fund-raising, volunteer recruitment, leadership development, budgeting, lobbying and legislative programs, member services and media relations including developing and maintaining working relationships with external organizations, officials, and the media.
Specific Job Activities:
- Works with the Chair, Executive Committee, and Chapter Committees to develop the Chapter's short and long term strategic, programmatic and financial goals and objectives.
- Recruits, hires, and manages chapter staff to carry out Chapter objectives. Reviews staff time report and ensures the reporting of this information is accurate and timely in accordance with Sierra Club policies. Writes and conducts performance appraisals and takes personnel actions as appropriate. Ensures Chapter compliance with Sierra Club's employment policies and practices.
- Plans, designs and implements the chapter's development and advancement strategy to meet Chapter fundraising objectives. Identifies and cultivates new donors. Directs and guides foundation grant seeking/proposal process to generate operating funds for Chapter conservation goals and objectives.
- Prepares and presents reports to ensure that the Executive Committee and other leaders are informed of major Chapter programs and financial status. Manages information systems to monitor the effectiveness of programs, as well as the status of the budget.
- Plans and implements an effective public communications program, develops contacts with the media to establish and maintain positive relations to maximize the chapter's credibility and position of issues.
- Assists the Chapter Conservation Chair(s) in the planning and implementation of the core conservation efforts and programs.
- Recruits and motivates volunteers and enables their role in the effectiveness of the chapter.
- Attends and facilitates meetings, task forces, and events. Builds strong relationships with other groups, elected officials, governmental agencies, and represents the Chapter as appropriate.
- Coordinates efforts with the national headquarters staff and ensures that the chapter strategies are in compliance with national requirements.
- Performs miscellaneous duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- B.A./B.S. degree in Environmental Studies, Political Science, or a closely related field.
- 3-5 years' experience that includes substantial experience planning and managing grassroots conservation campaigns, lobbying, media relations, and working with political leaders.
- Substantial experience in the strategic planning and direction of campaigns and programs.
- Expert knowledge within the environmental field, which includes in-depth knowledge and background in specific issue areas of the environmental field applicable to the community, state or ecoregion.
- Excellent demonstrated written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated public speaking and media presentation ability.
- Substantial experience and demonstrated ability and effectiveness working with volunteer leaders and activists.
- Prior experience in fundraising that includes donor relations, and grant-funded project development and oversight.
- Experience with hiring, supervising and managing staff.
- Demonstrated skill and ability in local and regional media relations. Effective television and radio presence. Knowledge of media technologies including video, radio, and print production processes.
Compensation: This is an exempt, full-time position. Salary commensurate with experience. The Sierra Club offers excellent benefits and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Application Process: Please email resume and cover letter to Sharon Stephens, Chapter Chair, at no later than Friday, July 18th. Selected Candidates will be interviewed by the hiring committee during the first two weeks of August with an anticipated position starting date of September 1, 2008.