Executive Director

The Wilderness Center, Inc., (TWC), is a regional nonprofit nature center and land conservancy in northeastern Ohio. TWC is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Founded in 1964, it is seeking the third Executive Director in its history. The Executive Director is the CEO of the organization, responsible for leading diverse operations and a staff of 14 full time and part time employees.

TWC is a unique organization. As a nature center, TWC provides hands-on, outdoor-based experiences for people of all ages to study and appreciate nature, serving thousands of people each year. As a land conservancy, TWC owns 1,926 acres including several outstanding natural areas and protects an additional 1,332 acres through conservation easements.

The Center's revolving land fund assists other organizations with land conservation. Social entrepreneurship is a key aspect. TWC's "ecopreneurial" activities include wetland mitigation, consulting forestry, a nature preserve cemetery, and ecotourism. These earn income to support education and conservation, while providing a valuable service to the community. 

Position Overview:

The Executive Director (ED) is the chief executive officer responsible for management and operation TWC,), a nonprofit (501(c)(3)) nature center and land trust headquartered in Wilmot, Ohio. The ED is employed by a volunteer 25-member Board of Directors and supervised by the President.

Board members are elected by the membership; the President is elected by the Board. The ED is a nonvoting officer of the corporation and serves as an ex officio member of all TWC Board Committees and Task Forces. With TWC's 50th anniversary approaching in 2014. TWC's growth trajectory has created opportunities, challenges, and decision points that will determine its direction for the next half century. The ED works closely with board and staff to determine TWC's best course to achieve the goals of conservation and education.

An organizational profile can be found here.

Responsibilities: 

Duties include but are not limited to:

Administrative 

• Strategic Planning - Works with the Board of Directors and senior staff to develop and implement a strategic plan.
• Budget/Audit - Develops the annual operating budget with the Treasurer, Board Committees, and staff accountant. Oversees TWC's operations within the constraints of the budget and assures that the Center's
• finances are in good order.
• Personnel - Hires, supervises, and terminates full- and part-time paid staff. This includes conducting annual employee reviews and administering personnel policies.
• Technology - Leads purchase, maintenance, and replacement of the Center's technology, especially computer software and hardware.
• Regular Reports - Prepares regular written and oral reports to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.
• Legal Matters - Seeks legal council for contracts, tax exemptions, land acquisition or sale, easements, personnel, and all other legal matters.
• Government Matters - Works with government agencies to advance the Center's interests and mission.
• Facilities - Works with staff and volunteers to ensure TWC's physical facilities are maintained in good condition. 

Land Stewardship/Land Conservancy

• Land Conservancy - Works with the Land Stewardship Director to negotiate and administer conservation easements and land donations, involving legal council as appropriate.
• Revolving Land Fund - Works with the Land Stewardship Director to purchase land tracts for area organizations and agencies to hold until they can be repurchased.
• Current land holdings -Works to assure TWC's land is managed using the best available science to achieve conservation goals. Works with the Board to establish and update comprehensive land management plans for all TWC lands. 

Ecopreneurialism (entrepreneurial initiatives to further the mission and earn income)

• Foxfield Preserve - Oversees the work of the Foxfield Preserve Steward and ensures operational and financial soundness of the nature preserve cemetery.
• Sustainable Forestry - Working with TWC's Consulting Forester, advances the TWC's sustainable forestry initiatives to achieve conservation and financial goals.
• Wetland Mitigation - With the Land Stewardship Director, creates wetland mitigation banks and/or other mitigation projects.
• Ecotourism - Leads occasional ecotours.
• Special Events - Determines special events the Center will offer, approves budgets, and works with volunteers at the events. 

Education

• Programming - Works with the education staff and volunteers to determine the Center's programming and Education Strategic Plan.
• Naturalist - Occasionally leads nature walks or gives talks or programs.
• Special interest clubs - Works to maintain the mutually beneficial relationship between the several interest clubs and the Center.
• Wild Ideas...the Podcast - Drives the TWC weekly science-based nature podcast. 

Marketing

• Marketing and Public Relations - Works with the Marketing Director in a wide variety of PR tasks including printed materials, press releases, website, social media, etc.
• Public Speaking - Speaks to community organizations frequently. The ED is the spokesperson for the Center on critical matters.
• Annual Report - Coordinates preparation of the Annual Report. 

Fundraising 

• Special Events, Sales, and Retail - Works to assure an adequate level of profit in the Nature Store, annual birdseed sale, nature craft sale, and native plant sale.
• Major Gifts and Planned Giving - Works with the Development Director to identify donors and solicit donations.
• Earthly Delights - Works with development staff and volunteers to maintain the success of the important Earthly Delights fundraising event.
• Grants - Works with the Board and staff to prepare grant requests.
• Campaigns - Works with the Board and development staff to decide fund raising strategies. It is important that the ED be known personally by area philanthropic leaders.
• Membership - Works with the board, staff, and volunteers to increase membership. 

Qualifications:

• Master's degree (or equivalent experience) in Natural Science, Natural Resources, Nature Education, Conservation Biology, Forest Ecology, Non-Profit Management, Marketing, Public Administration, Business, or a related field required.
• The position requires a broad knowledge of natural science, working with people, business and organizational management, land stewardship, fund raising, legal matters, and supervision of staff.
• Experience in the operation of a nature center and/or land trust, preferably a 501(c)(3) highly desirable.
• The ED must be familiar with natural sciences, land stewardship, land conservation, and nature education.
• The ED must also be able to supervise and administer business operations. 

To Apply:

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

Note: Review of applications will begin on October 1, 2013. 

~ The Wilderness Center, Inc. considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status. ~