CALIFORNIA URBAN FORESTS COUNCIL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

[LizzyBee]

https://caufc.org/opportunities/

 

 

Job Title: Executive Director

Reports To: Board of Directors

Position Type: Full Time, Exempt Employee; typically 40 hours per week.

Term of Employment: Regular, Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Within the State of California, Ideally within a short distance of a major airport or transportation hub.

ABOUT THIS POSITION

The Board of Directors (BOD) is charged with hiring an Executive Director (ED) for the  California Urban Forests Council (CAUFC).  The board of directors are collectively charged with the governance of the organization, while the Executive Director is charged with its management.

SALARY RANGE AND BENEFITS

• $95,000 – $140,000 depending on experience and qualifications. Compensation will be based on applicant experience, within ranges defined by local market norms for comparatively sized 501(c)3 organizations and other team members’ compensation.
• The position is eligible for employee benefits. CAUFC offers a subsidized 403(b) plan, among other benefits;  Vacations are provided with pay and are earned on the basis of continuous service and hire date.
• CaUFC supports employees who wish to enhance their professional development and job-related skills through related external education programs and conferences.

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY

The California Urban Forests Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1968, making it the first urban forest organization in the United States. Its mission is to enhance the health, vitality, and overall condition of California’s urban and community forests. The organization primarily focuses on advocacy and education.

Vision: The California Urban Forests Council envisions thriving and prosperous communities across California, transformed by healthy trees and green spaces. Their commitment is to promote and sustain sustainable urban and community forests to improve the quality of life for all Californians.

Membership: The organization comprises community-based professionals associated with various sectors, including municipalities, urban planning, arboriculture, the nursery industry, and public health organizations. They also provide support to seven Regional Councils throughout California, which play a pivotal role in the organization’s operations.

Certified Urban Forester Program: Originally, the organization supported professionals in the industry and developed a Certified Urban Forester Program. However, they have since shifted their focus to be more public and community-oriented, passing the Certification program to the Society of American Foresters.

Goals: The California Urban Forests Council promotes intelligent investments in urban and community trees, parks, and green spaces through outreach, education, community-based activities, and collaborative efforts. They achieve this by creating and disseminating educational materials that incorporate research and professional expertise to empower Californians to actively participate in urban greening and forestry. Additionally, the organization collaborates with local, state, and national leaders to advocate for improved public policies and support for urban and community forestry.

Programs: The organization’s initiatives aim to improve air quality, conserve, and protect water, enhance quality of life, and add aesthetic beauty to California communities. Their overarching vision is to make California’s communities cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous through collective action and investments in urban forests and urban greening.

Members and Regional Councils: The California Urban Forests Council consists of professionals from public works, municipalities, urban design, urban planning, arboriculture, and community-based public health organizations. They provide essential support through their Regional Councils, which serve as the backbone of urban forestry initiatives across the state.

Legacy: As the oldest urban forest council in the nation, the California Urban Forests Council takes pride in its mission to sustain and expand California’s urban forests, ultimately strengthening and improving the health of communities throughout the state.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

OFFICE, COMPENSATION, AND WORK EXPECTATIONS:

In conjunction with the Board of Directors provides direction and leadership to achieve the vision, goals, objectives, and Strategic Plan of the California Urban Forests Council.

Under the supervision of the Board of Directors the Executive Director is responsible for the successful implementation of the organization’s vision, strategy, and overall direction of the organization.  The Executive Director provides the management, administration, and fiscal oversight of the California Urban Forests Council (CaUFC) and its regional councils.  The Executive Director is responsible for the development and execution of all strategic initiatives, partnerships, and programs that support CaUFC’s vision and goals including: mobilizing a broad coalition in support of urban greening at the local, regional, and state levels; building sustainable funding streams; increasing public recognition of the benefits of CaUFC; and creating powerful research tools to communicate, educate, and advocate for urban greening across the State.  The Executive Director is also responsible for providing membership services, support, and communications with and reports to the CaUFC Board of Directors. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND ABILITIES

Required Skills:

• A full embrace of CAUFC’s mission and a willingness to serve as a public champion for it.
• Strong fundraising, non-profit administration, and grant administration skills with the goal of supporting and generating a steady, reliable revenue stream.
• Proven ability to procure funding from a variety of sources and maintain positive cash flow.
• Strong interpersonal, public speaking, and writing skills, including a willingness and ability to travel, build external relationships, initiate, and schedule donor visits, make fundraising calls, and personally ask for gifts in a timely fashion.
• Strong leadership and management skills, a strong commitment to encouraging professional diversity in the workplace, and a proven ability to deftly manage the challenges and opportunities associated with working for a geographically decentralized nonprofit Board.
• A Bachelor’s degree minimum, Master’s degree preferable, or other advanced degree in a field related to CAUFC’s mission.

Preferred Skills:

• Broad knowledge of Urban Forestry and related agencies and organizations. Urban forestry or arboricultural experience, including familiarity with key players and organizations in the green industries.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated expertise in public and government relations.
• Comfortable demonstrating outreach and education.
• Demonstrated ability in interpersonal relations and supervision of personnel.
• Proficiency in computer programs, especially all of the components of MS Office and relevant accounting software such as QuickBooks.
• Demonstrated ability to execute efficiently, including but not limited to strategic planning, financial management; reporting; fundraising; public relations, and human resource management.
• Ability to work independently as well as with a diverse Board of Directors, partners, contractors, community members, and staff.
• ASAE credentials are welcomed.

 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Management and Administration

• Directs the daily operations and programs of the organization and ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements.
• Responsible for overall leadership of the organization and achievement of the organization’s mission.
• Responsible for employee supervision, training, recruitment, selection, goal setting, evaluation, and termination.
• Effectively manage the human resources of the organization according to authorized personnel policies and procedures that fully conform to current laws and regulations.
• Develops personnel policies and procedures and ensures employee adherence.
• Works with the Board of Directors to develop and implement the Strategic Plan.
• Completes the Annual Report.
• The ED will likely spend ~70% of their time working from a remote office location of his or her choosing and ~30% of their time traveling, attending industry conferences, and meeting with key partners. Travel will typically be scheduled far enough in advance to not adversely or abruptly impede family or personal time, though emergent travel may, on occasion, be required. CAUFC does not provide a personal vehicle for the Executive Director.

Initiatives Oversight and Implementation

• Develops and executes all initiatives and programs, including but not limited to Strategic Plan goals, objectives, and actions.
• Evaluate program effectiveness and fit-to-vision.
• Oversees the messages, design, marketing, promotion, delivery, and quality of programs.
• Supports Regional Councils by maintaining working relationships, creating opportunities for cooperative efforts, and providing support such as facilitation at meetings, administration, etc.
• Oversees planning for and attends the Annual Conference.

Fiscal Responsibility

• Efficiently manages all budget, financial records, corporate assets, and program expenditures to meet current laws and regulations.
• Develops and manages an annual budget, submits to the Board approval, prudently manages the organization’s resources within those budget guidelines according to current laws and regulations, and submits quarterly financial reports to the Board.
• Ensures the timely reporting of financial data, efficient preparation of all fiscal and tax reports required by law, timely payment of all bills and invoices incurred by the CaUFC, and maintenance of bookkeeping records.
• Ensures compliance with all contractual obligations, including grants, Fiscal Agency agreements, government contracts, foundation contracts, etc.
• Oversees payroll and ensures that all related taxes and reports are deposited and filed in a timely manner.
• Oversees fundraising and identifies resource requirements, researches funding sources, and establishes strategies to approach funders.

Public/Government Relations

• Assures CaUFC’s purpose, vision, and goals are consistently and effectively presented in a strong, positive image to policymakers, coalition members, and stakeholders.
• Leads CaUFC initiatives to build a broad coalition, establish strategic partnerships, and enlarge the membership base.
• Represents CaUFC at public forums, legislative and other regulatory proceedings, and meetings with the statewide urban forestry community at large and at workshops, conferences, and other events.
• Establishes connections, maintains working relationships, and encourages the exchange of information with government agencies and other professional organizations.
• Manages all government and public relations and approves all publicity materials, including key messages, positions, graphics, newsletter, and website content including those developed by Regional Councils.
• Acts as a spokesperson to the media and at functions as are consistent with the Strategic Plan.

 Board Relations

• Works with the President and Board of Directors to develop and execute the Strategic Plan for CaUFC.
• Reports to the Board on the execution of the Strategic Plan and measurement against performance metrics.
• Establishes communication systems and work relationships with the Board of Directors.
• Supports operations and administration of the Board by advising and informing Board members and interfacing between the Board and staff.
• Along with the Board President, facilitates the involvement of each Director towards furthering the vision and goals of the CaUFC.
• Ensures that the CaUFC Board Manuals and orientation materials are current and distributed.
• Attends all Board meetings.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates can email a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to jobs@caufc.org with the subject line “Executive Director Application-[Name].” Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled, with the first round of panel interviews slated in late October and early November 2023. We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

CAUFC celebrates personal and professional diversity and considers applicants for all positions. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.