Executive Director

The Friends of Fenner Nature Center is looking for an enthusiastic, energetic and knowledgeable person with vision to lead Fenner Nature Center into its next 50 years of existence.

Established in 1959, Fenner Nature Center focuses on outdoor education and environmental awareness within an urban setting. Fenner Nature Center is a City of Lansing park on 130 acres with approximately 4 miles of trails through mixed deciduous and coniferous forests, old fields and 3 ponds. There is also a small group campground.

Located in southeast Lansing, near the Red Cedar River, Michigan State University and Potter Park Zoo, the nature center serves the youth, families and communities of the Greater Lansing Area. The nature center has an exhibit room with live animals and displays, a library, a large classroom, a gift shop and staff offices.

The land was once farmed but was returned to a natural state by the former owners, who sold it to the City of Lansing with the understanding the property would become a park. From 1959 until 2008, the City of Lansing employed naturalists to direct programs at Fenner. In 2009, under a 5-year contract agreement, the responsibility of operating and managing the nature center was transferred to the Friends of Fenner Nature Center (FOFNC), a 501(c) 3 organization. Under this contract, all proceeds from programs and operations are retained by FOFNC for center operations. The City maintains the park and pays for hourly employees. FOFNC is now seeking to hire an Executive Director for Fenner Nature Center.

Position Overview:

The Executive Director is responsible for meeting the goals and directions established by the FOFNC Board, overall administration of daily activity and operations at the Center, and in mission-centered community outreach.

Responsibilities include: oversight of program development; conducting fundraising, community outreach and public relations activities; building a stronger board, developing community partnerships, managing the property and staff, and cultivating an effective volunteer network.

Responsibilities:

Management and Administration:

Provide leadership toward long-term strategic plans and implementation of short term goals (35%).

A. Fiscal Management:

• Partner with the Board of Directors to ensure that Fenner Nature Center operates as a not-for-profit business in accordance with IRS 501(c) 3 regulations and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
• Work with the Board of Directors to develop and implement an annual budget.
• Work with the Board of Directors to develop and implement a 5-year business/strategic plan.

B. Personnel Management:

• Implement effective personnel policies, including: recruitment, selection, training, appraisals, incentives, compensation, discipline and termination in order to retain highly qualified and motivated staff.
• Establish and maintain clear lines of authority, responsibility, supervision and communication.
• Demonstrate communication and delegation skills.

C. Facility Management:

• Ensure that Fenner Nature Center operates in compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws, regulations and ordinances.
• Oversee building operations, building and grounds safety, and the integrity of live animals and various collections.
• Oversee the creation of rotating displays relative to seasonal events and environmental topics.

Development and Marketing (30%):

• Plan for the long-term sustainability of Fenner Nature Center programs and operations.
• Work with Board of Directors to design and conduct ongoing fundraising and development activities which include cultivating major individual, foundation and corporate donors and agency partners to raise funds to pay for operations and programs.
• Establish and maintain the local, regional and national profile of Fenner Nature Center through public, professional and personal contacts; support brand identification of Fenner Nature Center's services and commitment to excellence.

Community/Membership Relations (15%):

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with FOFNC members and volunteers.
• Seek to understand the environmental education needs and wants of the surrounding community.
• Contribute to and expand the current public relations outreach activities with newsletter, radio, television, newspaper, website, advertising and related initiatives.
• Develop mutually beneficial relationships with community stakeholders including:
  o Teachers, schools, school districts, home school networks, students
  o Agencies serving youth
  o Area colleges and universities, student groups, faculty, undergraduate and graduate students
  o City of Lansing and other governmental entities
  o Area neighborhood organizations, faith-based and non-governmental organizations
  o Foundations and other mutually supporting entities

Program Management (15%):

• Manage the development and implementation of age-appropriate science and nature education/programming activities including summer camps, school programs, tours and special programs.
• Collaborate with educational entities to assure that programming is linked to school curriculum requirements.
• Create a positive learning culture that encourages new ideas, approaches and methods to implement Fenner Nature Center programs and operations.
• Monitor and evaluate programs to determine their effectiveness.

Board Relations (5%):

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with the Board of Directors.
• Promote an active and committed Board of Directors.
• Provide monthly reports to the Board of Directors on current Fenner activities, future activities and any problems or issues encountered.
• Submit an annual report to the Board of Directors, which will be shared with the City.

Additional Functions:

• Other duties as assigned or requested by the Board President.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in an appropriate field (Natural Resources, Education, Business, etc.).
• 2 or more years experience of operational oversight of non-profit agency or equivalent organization.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in community-based educational programming of youth and families (nature-based programming preferred).
• Evidence of successful fundraising experience.
• Evidence of community partnership building and collaboration.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to speak publicly.
• Ability to use independent judgment and make decisions.
• Organizational skills and ability to handle multiple projects at the same time.
• A good sense of humor.

Compensation: $38,000-$42,000 with benefits. A salary increase in year 2 and beyond will be based on Pay for Performance success. That is, while the base salary and benefits will be insured in year 2, there will be a % increase in salary if the Executive Director has met certain performance objectives, particularly with regard to fund-raising.

Closing Date: Friday, January 8, 2010.

To Apply: 

Send letter of intent, resume, college transcripts and contact information for 3 references.

Friends of Fenner Nature Center
Executive Director Search Committee
2020 E. Mount Hope
Lansing, MI 48910

The Friends of Fenner Nature Center is an equal opportunity employer.