Executive Director

The Friends of Tryon Creek State Park (FOTC), a private, 501(c)3 organization which has developed a unique public-private partnership with Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) was founded through the activism of park neighbors in 1970 and today is one of the leaders in environmental education and community-based stewardship programs in the region.

With a staff of 10 and annual budget of $650,000, FOTC is looking for a unique leader to continue the strategic development of the organization, provide Board and staff guidance and bring new resources to support our efforts.

Position Overview:

The Executive Director is responsible for setting and ensuring progress on strategic direction; ensuring a strong and proactive partnership with Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD), Friends' staff,
volunteers, and Board; overseeing Friends operations; fundraising; Public Relations; and Educational and other programs that ensure the Friends fulfills its mission and vision, protects the park for future  generations, continues to offer high quality environmental education programs, and provide a meaningful place to explore, volunteer and recreate.  

Responsibilities:

Organizational Development

In cooperation with the Board, Staff and OPRD, the Executive Director
will develop and execute the strategic mission and vision of the Friends ensuring currency and relevance through proactive planning, fundraising, operations, and communication with varied stakeholders.

Strategic Planning:

• Ensure that Friends are always directed by strategic planning and activity.
• Lead the review and update of the Strategic and Annual Plans.
• Oversee all operational activities and programs for alignment with Strategic Plan and to ensure that the Friends operations always reflect best practices, current trends, and relevance.
• Proactively work with OPRD to establish and reach common goals for programming and stewardship.
• Develop and maintain increasingly positive proactive relationships with OPRD and meet and exceed reporting obligations as a Cooperative Association.

Fund Development:

• Maintain and develop programs to ensure short and long term financial stability for the organization.
• Work with the Board, Development Director, and Fund Development Committee to develop and execute plans to promote a major donor program; expand Friends membership; support fundraising events; and develop strong business and corporate funding relationships.
• Develop and implement annual and long-term strategies for obtaining grants, and strengthen relationships with foundations and major donors.
• Support the Development Director in all fundraising activities and events.

Communications and Public Relations:

• Ensuring that the quality of the Friends' efforts and importance of their mission is broadly known and understood.
• Maintain and build upon upon already strong relationships with OPRD.
• Ideally Friends and OPRD would be the model for all such partnerships.
• Maintain and build upon already strong relationships with volunteers, partners, media, and other strategically aligned groups i.e. TCWC.
• Demonstrate insightful proactive communication and collaborative leadership with the Board of Directors.
• Communicate on a regular basis to the Board, staff, volunteers, and ORPD the progress and effectiveness of efforts to achieve the Strategic and Annual Plans.
• Lead staff in the development and implementation of effective outreach and public relations programs to maintain community visibility and broaden outreach. 

Administration and Human Resources

Lead the planning, growth, and operations of the organization.

Human Resource Management:

• Ensure staff and volunteers are working to support of the mission of the Friends.
• Build strong relationships and develop proactive communications between staff, Board, volunteers and OPRD. 
• Ensure that personnel administration, policies and procedures, including hiring, training, evaluation and direction of staff in accordance with Friends policies and the law, as well as best practices.
• Manage workflow and delegate responsibility to appropriate staff, volunteers or Board members to ensure motivation to develop quality programs and support for the organization.
• Ensure that adequate training, development and promotional opportunities are available for staff and volunteers.
• Support and guide, as needed, regular Board activities including meetings and Committee work.

Fiscal Management:

• Ensure that the Friends meets its financial responsibilities.
• Ensure sound financial operations including but not limited to: the development and management of organizational budgets; development of annual and long-range budgets; implementation of fiscal policies and procedures; and monthly financial reports to the Board.

Operations Management:

• Ensure that internal organizational operations are efficient and effective.
• Develop operational practices, policies, and procedures that ensure productivity and employee well-being.
• Develop and implement effective IT technologies and programs.
• Work proactively with OPRD to maximize use of facilities and programs.

Educational Programs:

• Ensure that the Friends deliver relevant and high quality programs.
• Support the Education Director in developing, reviewing, and providing high-quality relevant educational programs. 
• Work with the Volunteer Coordinator to develop, review, and evaluate volunteer management polices and practices.
• Ensure successful proactive coordination of all educational programs with OPRD and other stakeholders or partners.

Qualifications: 

• Ability to provide leadership and management to a small not-for-profit organization.
• Ability to partner and communicate with various stakeholder groups.
• Ability to present The Friends of Tryon Creek State Park in a positive way through actions and communications.
• Ability to articulate and demonstrate a strong passion for the Friends' mission, vision and goals; as well as for nature and environmental education programs.
• Strong fund raising experience including major donor cultivation, grant writing, corporate giving, and Board development.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to develop organizations that continually improve, develop, and respond to changing needs.
• Strong coaching, mentoring, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated skills in operational flexibility, multi-tasking, and developing teams.
• Understanding and proficiency (in use) of technology and media in today's workplace.
• Knowledge of environmental and outdoor recreation programs and issues.
• Demonstrated experience in Fund Raising, as well as Board Relations.
• 5 years experience in non-profit and personnel management.
• Bachelor's Degree required, Master's preferred.

To Apply:

Please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to submit your cover letter and resume to Matthew Collins.