Executive Director

Located on the beautiful Sarapiqui River, the Sarapiqui
Conservation Learning Center is a non-profit organization
dedicated to linking the community with conservation.

Responsbilities: 

Administration and Leadership

• Provide leadership toward long term strategic plans and implementation of short term goals
• Manage the administrative offices, special commissions or work forces at the SCLC and oversee their correct operations.
• Hiring of the paid staff at the Center according to the mandate from the board for necessary positions.  Assign the duties to the staff and be in charge of promotions and letting go of staff, always strictly following labor laws and getting approval from the board.
• Maintain a positive work environment where communication, creativity, respect and team work is encouraged.  

Board Relations

• Annually present to the board the year-end summary of programs and progress, the year-to-date budget and the proposed budget for the following year, and propose any suggested changes in administration or programming.
• Monthly communications with the board by sending the monthly report, which also includes the current budget. 
• Assist the board with analyzing the strategic plans at the annual meeting
• Proposing to the Board necessary actions that need to be taken to better achieve the misión, goals and objectives of the Center.

Fiscal Management

• Develop the annual budget and oversee that the Center follows it
• Work with the Treasurer to present the annual fiscal summary
• Oversee that the Center is operating according to the regulations for non-profit associations (example: donations are going towards the specific program that the donor specified)
• Send to the board the updated financial report

Development

• Look for funding and grants according to the goals set by the Board.
• Write grants and when/if approved, administer the grant projects according to the established rules and regulations by the sponsoring institution.
• Work with the board and the development committee to develop fundraising activities.  

Marketing an Public Relations

• Represent the Center in acts and activities, with other associations, public and private entities.
• Add information to the website so that it is up to date and look for other sites where you can promote the Center and the website we have
• Write and publish the Newsletter, with the help of the staff, twice a year in English and once a year in Spanish
• Work very closely with the Center's donors, including the tourist and student groups, by writing them thank you notes when they make donations, sending them the newsletter, sending new information whenever there is some, and look for new donors especially when there are visitors to the Center.  

Evaluation

• Evaluate the staff 2-3 times a year with written feedback and formal meetings
• Evaluate the programs in general at least once a year to assure that the programs and the people who run the programs are following the mission.

Desired Qualifications

• Masters in sustainable development, environmental studies or a comparable field of study.
• Studies or experience in business or non-profit managementBilingual Spanish/English
• Administrative experience, including managing staff
• The ability to multi-task
• Successful grant writing experience
• A professional work ethic, self motivation and creativity
• Knowledge of the Sarapiqui area and its environmental concerns
• The ability and desire to work in a multicultural environment
• Flexible schedule with the need to work sometimes on the weekends
• Skilled public speaker in English and Spanish
• Current Costa Rican citizenship or residency preferred

Salary and Benefits

• $900 USD/month with the possibility for a raise according to approved grants
• Health care benefits and a pension plan
• 1-2 annual conferences, short term classes or courses for professional development
• 3 weeks paid vacation