Executive Director

Soque River Watershed Association (SRWA) is a community based, 501(c)3 organization, dedicated to the mission of protecting and restoring Habersham County's Soque River, its tributaries and watershed.

Flowing from the edge of the southern Blue Ridge Mountains, the Soque River is a headwaters tributary of the Chattahoochee River. It is located about 80 miles NE of Atlanta in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and entirely within Haversham County, GA. Stakeholders include the National Forest, farmers, homeowners, small towns, and light industry.

SRWA strives to facilitate heightened public awareness of the need for sustainable use and management of the resource as well as implementing restoration and assessment projects in the basin. SRWA partners with local municipalities as well as community groups and sister environmental organizations. Programs and projects include watershed and stream monitoring; erosion and sedimentation monitoring; riparian restoration; educational programming (school, citizen, gov't); and advocacy for sound water resource policy and management (local and state).

Position Overview:

The Executive Director, under the direction of the Board of Directors, will be responsible for carrying out our strategic plan and assuring the success and stability of the organization.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated an ability to inspire and lead staff and volunteers, bring new and creative approaches to programming, fundraising and facilitate the organization as it aspires to function as a "change-agent" in fostering community stewardship of our watershed.  The candidate will also have social and communication skills to work effectively with staff, board, volunteers, elected officials, community stakeholders and fundraising sources.

Responsibilities:

• Direct the day-to-day operations and activities of SRWA including project and program oversight.
• Establish (for approval by the Board) policies and procedures for conducting SRWA operations and to ensure mission continuity.
• Oversee and support the management of SRWA finances including all reporting obligations, development and implementation of annual budgets, and all efforts to ensure financial responsibility and sustainability.
• Ensure rigorous compliance with requirements of SRWA's status as a 501(c)3 organization.
• Prepare an annual SRWA progress report to be shared with watershed stakeholders/partners and the community.
• Recruit and help manage volunteers.
• Recruit (as needed), inspire and supervise SRWA Staff.
• With the Board of Directors, staff, and community develop and complete short and long term objectives to carry out the mission and support strategies of SRWA.
• Serve as liaison and cultivate cooperative relationships with environmental, governmental, educational, and community groups.
• Work closely with the Board president to increase board skills/training, community effectiveness, and participation of the Board in all SRWA activities.
• Represent the organization before the larger public, including speaking to elected officials, donors, media and experts in watershed management.
• Develop and implement funding strategies to meet strategic goals and provide for the fiscal sustainability of SRWA.
• Develop individual donor rosters.
• Create and execute fundraising events.
• Generate (and/or oversee) grant writing and foundation endowment requests and applications.

Qualifications:

• Experience and demonstrated skills with strategic planning, administration, grant writing, fundraising, staff and volunteer management and environmentl education.
• Associates or College degree in a related field.
• Demonstrated commitment to environmental education/issues, conservation and sustainability.
• Excellent verbal and communication skills.
• Self-directed and deadline-oriented.
• Creative, organized, and positive leader.
• Ability to inspire and engage others in the SRWA vision/mission.
• Grantwriting and fundraising experience a plus.

Compensation: Include salary requirements with resumè

Application Deadline: March 31, 2009 

To Apply:

Please direct to: Brian Sandven, Board President.                      

Soque River Watershed Association 
Post Office Box 1901
Clarkesville, Ga  30523