Executive Officer

The Sustainable Living Institute of Maui (SLIM) is a unique institution, created through the shared vision of founding partners University of Hawai`i-Maui Community College, EARTH University (Costa Rica), The Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden) and Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc.

This public-private partnership is grounded in a shared understanding of co-responsibility and the imperative to meet the global challenge of addressing present conditions within our communities without compromising future generations.

SLIM is committed to: 

• Optimizing Maui's economy by helping people build skills that are compatible with the community's cultural choices and economic aspirations;   
• Developing Maui as an exemplary and prosperous island;   
• Sharing eco-effective methods with other communities throughout the world;   
• Serving as a living laboratory and classroom for designing, building and managing holistic communities.

To learn more about SLIM, please visit our website.

Job Overview: 

The position of Executive Officer of SLIM is an exceptional opportunity for an individual with a global perspective, local commitment, and academic appreciation of sustainable theory combined with a passion for practical application. This individual will direct the formative development and trajectory of the institution. 

Summary of Duties:  

Regular, Full-Time position with the Sustainable Living Institute of Maui. Continuation of employment is dependent upon program/operation needs, satisfactory work performance, and availability of funds. 

Coordinates, develops, manages, and directs SLIM projects and related grant programs that deliver a wide range of credit and continuing educational programs providing various levels of training in sustainable sciences. Identifies and pursues available resources and works with the SLIM Board to write grants, foundation, and private gift proposals to help insure institutional sustainability and programmatic growth. Provides comprehensive support and oversight for operations involved with current and future SLIM projects and programs. Works with the SLIM Board to draft concept papers, grants, MOUs and budgets as required. 

Scope of Position: 

Reports to: SLIM Board  

Supervises: All SLIM personnel and staff  

Level of Interaction: 

Under the overall supervision of the SLIM Board, the SLIM Executive Officer will work closely with the individual SLIM Board members. This is highly responsible and complex administrative work with a very high degree of leadership expected. It requires planning, developing, implementing, and supervising the programs and entails responsibility for the coordination of the associated activities. 

The position requires the ability to meet multiple and frequent deadlines for grant proposal submissions, contracts, and reporting. The Executive Officer will ensure that programs are completed on time and in compliance with sponsoring agency's requirements. Thorough knowledge of University, State, and Federal rules, regulations, practices, policies and procedures is necessary where applicable. The Executive Officer will conduct meetings and training sessions with the general public, faculty and staff, University, County, State, and Federal officials, which requires the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. 

He or she will be responsible for case management of grant programs and software applications involved in tracking outcomes for presentation to the SLIM Board for approval. Similarly, he or she will negotiate contracts and agreements with various service providers and government and non-profit agencies and private businesses to deliver services as required by the grants, for Board approval. 

Major Duties & Responsibilities General Administration  

20%*  1. Maintain frequent and open communication with the SLIM Board concerning progress of all activities, grants, contracts, and projects. Identify available resources and oversee grants, foundation, and private gift proposals to help ensure institutional sustainability and programmatic growth. Manage external affairs as they pertain to potential donors. Supervise and monitor the delivery of services and completion of SLIM activities. Facilitate linkages with local, State, and Federal government and health and human services agencies. Conduct meetings, training sessions and workshops, research, and teleconferences to support sustainability initiatives and programs. 

10%* 2. Fiscal Management: Identify funding sources pertinent to the goals of SLIM and provide guidance in the composition and submission of grant proposals and modifications to sponsoring agencies. Supervise administration and dispersal of funds. Responsible for all fiscal activities related to the grants. Supervise the compilation and submission of quarterly and yearly status reports and ensure that accurate records are maintained for auditing purposes. Maintain up-to-date status of rules and regulations and conduct training on new procedures. Maintain budgets and ensure compliance with State and Federal regulations. 

25%* 3. Project Monitoring: Attend monthly Community Advisory Committee meetings throughout the state. Conduct on-site program reviews and inspections. Meet with program clients and sub-contractors and ensure compliance with all rules and regulations that apply. Attend in-state and out-of-state meetings, workshops, conferences. Meet with representatives of the general public, government, non-profit, University, and private business to coordinate the delivery of services to residents of each of the islands. 

15%* 4. Promotion and Marketing: Oversee the development of the SLIM website for the gathering and dissemination of information. Direct and participate in the development of distance learning applications and courses that are accessible via the Internet. Meet with users and incorporate suggestions and modifications requested. Conduct training sessions and workshops on system use and confidentiality. 

10%* 5. Contract Administration: Administer contracts and agreements to provide services as specified in the grants with University, Federal, State, and local government, private businesses and local non-profit agencies. Submit documents for review and approval by funding sources as required. Ensure compliance with all rules and regulations. 

10%* 6. Personnel, Procurement, and other Administrative Tasks: Supervise and evaluate project personnel. Authorize vacation and sick leaves, approve schedules. Authorize procurement of goods and services to limit of authority and ensure all policies and procedures for procurement have been followed. Ensure accounting and other program records are in order. 

10%*  7. Performs other duties as required. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

Education:   Master's Degree from an accredited four (4) year college or university in a relevant field in the sustainable sciences (including social sciences).  

Experience:   Three (3) years of professional work experience in project management and/or business management as well as three (3 - may be concurrent) years of professional work experience in administration, grant writing, or sustainable sciences and technologies, or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience. Experience in project management, and grant development.  

Demonstrated Abilities, Knowledge, and Skills:   Ability to administer and coordinate programs, supervise professionals, paraprofessionals, and clerical staff. Able to communicate both orally and in writing. Familiarity with Maui County and its potential for sustainable development. High level of competency with all components of Microsoft Office.  

Physical and/or Medical Demands:   Inter-island and mainland travel required.  

Desirable Qualifications:   Graduation from an accredited college or university graduate program with major course work and research conducted in sustainable sciences. Professional work experience in the field related to sustainability such as agriculture, architecture, energy, cultural and natural resource management, etc. Sensitivity and receptivity to multiple stakeholders, in particular the local and host cultures.