Executive Director

EarthCorps is a nonprofit organization based in Seattle, Washington, that develops leaders to strengthen community and restore the health of our environment. EarthCorps believes in the power of people - acting through their collective responsibility to one another and our planet - to tackle the most pressing challenges facing our world, a world in which people and nature thrive together.

To cultivate this important work, EarthCorps brings together passionate and hardworking young adults - who they call Corps members - from the US and across the globe for a six-month or year-long environmental leadership development program. Participants learn technical environmental restoration and hands-on leadership skills, all while building a close-knit community through caring for our natural world.

EarthCorps truly embraces the concept of "think globally, act locally". The lands and waters of the Puget Sound are their classroom and their legacy. Corps members learn leadership skills by leading thousands of community volunteers each year and executing technical environmental restoration projects, including salmon stream restoration, native tree plantings, invasive plant removal, wetland and shoreline restoration, and trail construction around Puget Sound region.

At the conclusion of the program, these leaders return to their local communities with the skills and enthusiasm required to address the pressing issues of our time - including climate change, pollution, and ecological degradation - to help create a better world for us all. Since its inception in 1993, EarthCorps has trained more than 1,000 environmental leaders from across the U.S. and nearly 80 countries around the world. Click here to learn more about EarthCorps. 

About the Opportunity 

The Executive Director (ED) is responsible for fulfilling EarthCorps’ mission by providing leadership and direction to all areas of the operation. The ED supervises the organization and oversees program development and evaluation, operations, finance, fundraising, and public relations. The Executive Director also ensures compliance with all government regulations and works with the Board of Directors to both provide direction to the organization and secure resources.

The Board of Directors seeks an Executive Director who is a visionary leader with a passion for the environment, community, racial equity, and leadership development in young adults. The successful candidate will utilize their high-level management and development skills to lead the development and implementation of a new strategic vision for EarthCorps.

Commitment to Racial Equity

EarthCorps strongly believes in the values of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion.EarthCorps works to ensure that everyone feels engaged and supported in all areas of the organization's operations as they work to become a fully inclusive, multi-cultural, and anti-racist organization.

Essential Responsibility and Functions 

Vision, Mission, and Strategies & Implementation

• Working with the Board of Directors, the ED develops a shared vision for the future of the organization, builds understanding of the current mission, and develops appropriate goals and strategies to advance the mission.
• In addition, the ED establishes operational objectives that support the strategic plan and is responsible for the implementation of the strategic and annual plans.

Fundraising and Resource Development

• With the Board and appropriate staff, the ED develops and implements fundraising and financial development strategies to optimize the combined strengths, knowledge and relationships of all to achieve required support for EarthCorps’ mission.

Fiscal Management

• The ED ensures that solid planning, budgeting, tracking, and reporting systems, which serveEarthCorps’ goals and ensure its financial health are in place.
• The ED takes responsibility for meeting the commitments of the budget and the annual operating plan.

Program and Operations Management

• The ED hires and leads staff to manage and administer EarthCorps’ programs and services, demonstrating a thorough knowledge of EarthCorps’ mission and an understanding of the technical, operational, and ethical issues involved.

ED/Board Partnership

• The ED and the Board have joint responsibility for developing and maintaining a strong working relationship and a system for sharing information.
• The Board provides clear direction to the ED on priorities and job performance expectations.

Board/Staff Relationship

• The ED creates opportunities for staff to interact with Board members to ensure mutually supportive and good working relationships.
• External Communications and Public Relations. The ED, along with the Board, establishes and maintains positive relationships with the myriad of groups that can and do support the work of EarthCorps. The ED takes responsibility for building systems and implementing strategies that effectively build support in the community for EarthCorps.

Organizational Culture

• The ED leads by example in establishing an organizational culture of equity, transparent communication, clear visioning, goal setting, and execution that engages team members at all levels of the organization and establishes EarthCorps as an equity-centered organization.

Change Management

• The ED leads the organization through strategic visioning and planning that allowsEarthCorps to be nimble and responsive to the ever-changing landscape of climate change, pollution, and ecological degradation.
• The ED is flexible, pivots when necessary, and provides staff with the resources and support they may need.

Essential Qualifications

The successful candidate will be a visionary team leader who inspires, motivates, and creatively problem solves. They will possess the following essential qualifications:

Organizational Leadership

• Demonstrated ability to provide visionary and inclusive leadership and inspire andmotivate staff members.
• Demonstrated ability to empathize with and support early-career professionals’leadership growth and career development.
• Demonstrated ability to create and implement strategic plans.
• Proven organization management, planning, administrative and supervisory skills.
• Understanding of different leadership models. Can effectively make decisions and ensure a culture of transparency.
• Demonstrated ability in change management.
• Experience working with a volunteer Board of Directors.
• Knowledge and experience around racial equity and operationalizing it within an organization.

Financial Leadership 

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and work with a broad range of public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and diverse funding sources.
• Direct experience raising money from individual, government, and/or institutional funding sources.
• Working knowledge of nonprofit financial statements, accounting practices, and audit practices.

Operational Leadership 

• Demonstrated ability to oversee complex operational programs serving targeted clients or recipients.
• Ability to develop and lead others.

Personal Qualities 

• Passion for working with young adults.
• Interest in the environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
• Relationship/partnership building.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Experience making presentations to government agencies, individual donors, and/or institutional donors will be valued.
• Ability to travel occasionally in the Pacific Northwest region, including car and ferry trips.
• Highly motivated, organized, creative, self-directed, and flexible.
• Positive attitude and a sense of humor.
• High self-awareness/emotional intelligence.
• Growth mindset, open to change, and trying a new way of doing things. Approaches challenges with curiosity.
• Commitment to the goals of an international conservation service corps.

How To Apply

• EarthCorps has retained Morten Group, LLC to conduct this search.
• Applicants should click "Apply" below, email a cover letter and resume in PDF format,  with the subject line “EarthCorps – Executive DirectorSearch.”
• Cover letters will be evaluated as a writing sample and should include the applicant's salary requirements. Application materials must be directed to the email address above.
• No phone calls, please. For best consideration, applications should be received by Monday, October 25, 2021.
• Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

EarthCorps is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity and/or expression, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factors. Applicants from historically underrepresented communities, including but not limited to people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and women, are strongly encouraged to apply.