Executive Director

~ The Estuary Partnership is a well-established organization and operates as a 501 (C)(3) established for the public benefit and purpose of protecting the lower Columbia river and estuary. ~

The Estuary Partnership is accountable to the US Congress, US EPA, the States, multiple funders, and the public. We are a nonpartisan organization. The Board of Directors, governing body, represents the diverse interests of those of us who live, work and recreate on the lower Columbia River.

The Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership has been leading collaborative ecosystem improvement in the lower Columbia river since 1995. That year, the lower Columbia River was designated an Estuary of National Significance, recognizing the river’s importance to the Pacific Northwest and the entire United States – and that it had been degraded after decades of development and pollution.

The governors of Oregon and Washington, with the Environmental Protection Agency, wanted to address the more than 50% loss of habitat and the contamination in water, sediment and fish. They created a public entity to focus on the lower river; unite the two states, multiple federal, tribal, and local partners and the private sector; set regional strategies; and build on existing efforts.

Position Overview

The Executive Director is the chief operating officer for the organization. The Executive Director leads a team of highly experienced professionals each impressively skilled in their work.

Executive Director Responsibilities:

• The Executive Director works with a dedicated Board of Directors to develop and articulate the mission, vision, goals, and values of the organization, and create the structure, policies and procedures necessary to achieve the mission within the context of applicable state and federal regulations under which the National Estuary Program (NEP) works.
• The Executive Director leads and manages a range of land use, water quality, habitat and community programs and keeps programs current in the context of changing environmental conditions and knowledge and to meet community and Estuary Partnership needs within the context of the Management Plan and NEP.
• The Executive Director develops and manages multi-million-dollar budgets with public and private funding sources; sustains capacity; evaluates effectiveness; implements continuous improvement; and manages the organization to adapt and improve, maintaining fidelity to mission and fiscal discipline.
• The Executive Director sees the big picture, thinks strategically, and identify and track details. The Executive Director must build consensus, honoring, including, and respecting opposing viewpoints, and be able to effectively navigate issues that may be divisive at times.

Candidate Qualifications

The successful candidate will bring:

• Seven years’ experience leading a public or non-profit natural resources organization or agency that includes environmental education and community programs. This includes working with – and inspiring -- a governing body, such as a Board of Directors, working with natural resource and nonprofit corporation laws, procedures, regulations, and practices; and experience in organization development and management.
• Seven years’ experience managing and leading a professional team of at least 15 employees. This includes hiring and coaching employees and facilitating an inclusive, collaborative, supportive work place that applies the principles of continuous learning and improvement.
• Seven years work with strategic planning and implementation and planning and managing multiple complex projects with multiple funding sources, deliverables, budgets, timelines, and project details and managing an organizational budget of at least $2,000,000 per year to implement strategic plans. This includes identifying and raising funds from a variety of public and private sources, adhering to fiscal and programmatic funder requirements from public and private sources, and evaluating programs and effectiveness.
• Experience with natural resource, land use, environmental protection, watershed management, and community programming. This includes familiarity with Estuary Partnership program areas, the lower Columbia River, and the National Estuary Program.
• Understanding of issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This includes experience managing and supporting diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and aligning diversity with organizational objectives.
• Experience working collaboratively and building collegial relationships with the community, including various levels of government, tribal, business, conservation, and education partners and understanding the legislative process.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

The successful candidate will:

• Be passionate about the mission and work of the Estuary Partnership.
  Care about people, the river and the public trust we hold.
• Set a tone that maintains stability, while continuing to evolve the organization as we learn more and community values evolve.
• Provide consistent leadership and continue to build strong teams to support employees, Board members, and partners.
• Creatively and effectively implement current objectives and lead the organization into its next 25 years. Think broadly about environmental issues affecting the lower Columbia River.
• Maintain the financial stability with fund-raising and grant writing experience and diversifying funding.
• Lead and champion diversity, equity, and inclusionwork and build diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values for organization.
• Listen to and learn from diverse voices and perspectives. Foster a culture of engagement to include disproportionately engaged and impacted people to improve cultural responsiveness. Share the stories of all communities and peoples of the lower river.
• Work with elected officials, agency leaders, policymakers, business leaders, the media, and funders acrossthe political spectrum.

Compensation & Benefits

• The Executive Director is a full-time position.
• The Estuary Partnership offers an excellent and competitive compensation package.
• The salary is at the discretion of the Board of Directors, with a salary range of $89,000 - $133,000.

To Apply

The search is being conducted by the Board of Directors. We encourage members from all communities to apply – including communities of color, Indigenous people and women.To be considered for this position, please click "Apply" below to email:

• A cover letter, which should be two – five pages and express your interest in the Estuary Partnership, be well organized, and clearly articulate how your experience meets the specific requirements of this position and positions you for success as the Executive Director.
• A resume. Your resume should be concise, and clearly define your current and past duties and responsibilities and your length of tenure in those positions.This level of detail is required to qualify you for consideration.
• Please submit your resume and cover letter as one PDF document.
• Please use your last name as your document name. 
• Applications are due by midnight February 13, 2020.

The Estuary Partnership is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin, age, disability, physical appearance or genetic information, cultural, socio-economic status, or military or veteran status. The Estuary Partnership is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and values hiring protected veterans or
individuals with veteran status.