STEWARDS OF THE COAST AND REDWOODS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION

STEWARDS OF THE COAST AND REDWOODS
     EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

  Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods (Stewards) is a non-profit organization launched in 1985. Our
  mission is to promote preservation through environmental education and stewardship in support
  of California State Parks' Russian River Sector in the Sonoma Mendocino Coast District. We are a
  leader in docent-led interpretive programs, significantly contributing to education, conservation
  and preservation at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve (SNR), Austin Creek State
  Recreation Area (SRA) and Sonoma Coast State Park, encompassing 29,331 acres of coast, redwood
  groves and parkland. In 2019, Stewards welcomed over 1 million visitors to Armstrong SNR and
  Austin Creek SRA. Another 3.5 million visited Sonoma Coast State Park. Our public education
  programs touch the lives of more than 120,000 park visitors a year including 8,000 youth.

  Stewards works in collaboration with California State Parks under two different agreements. Our
  Cooperating Association Agreement covers our work with the State Parks’ Volunteers in Parks
  Program, which provides support for over 250 State Park volunteers who engage with Stewards
  staff to implement a variety of education and stewardship programs in our three park units. They

give more than 10,000 hours annually and appreciably increase the parks’ organizational capacity.
  The other is a Co-Management Agreement, first signed in 2012 between Stewards and State Parks,
  that has just been renewed in 2021 for an
  additional five years with an option to extend for     Stewards is seeking an Executive Director
  another five years to 2031. This agreement has          who will lead the Stewards team, share a
  proven to be especially successful in our District,    passion for environmental education, and
                                                       create a vision of the future that preserves our
  as State Parks and Stewards leverage each other’s
                                                        natural and cultural resources and ensures
  expertise to manage the array of natural and               equitable access for all park users.
  cultural resources in our parks.

  As we move forward at this critical juncture in the history of our country and of our public lands,
  Stewards is committed to ensuring that equity, diversity and justice are integral to the realization of
  our vision to serve as ‘the link between people and their parks.’

  Stewards’ Executive Director is responsible for advancing Steward's vision, mission, and goals and
  for upholding the beliefs and values that form our organizational culture. Our ED administers the
  organization’s annual operating budget of approximately $650,000, oversees 8-10 full and part
  time staff and 250 volunteers, and reports to a 10-member board of directors.

STRATEGIC GOALS
  ● Fire Recovery and Preservation of Natural Surroundings
    Steward the natural resources of Armstrong State Natural Reserve, Austin Creek State
    Recreation Area, and Sonoma Coast State Park as they rebound from recent fires in a way that
    respects the natural process of fire ecology in the context of climate change.

                                             ● Environmental Interpretation and Educational
                                               Programs for Youth and Adults
                                               Champion environmental education programs for
                                               youth and adults addressing Redwood Ecology,
                                               Watersheds, Intertidal and Marine Ecosystems,
                                               including climate change impacts.

● Facility Management and Operations
     Efficiently manage park operations through
     improvement and innovation, including engaging
     community-based programs in career pathway
     opportunities for youth.

   ● Exemplary Workforce of Staff and Volunteers
     Establish best practices for ensuring strong staff,
     board and volunteer relationships.

   ● Strong Partnerships
     Nurture relationships with California State Parks, similar environmental organizations,
     community-based organizations, and other nonprofits.

   ● Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
     Cultivate a community of belonging that is welcoming and accessible to ensure that Stewards is
     relevant in a changing world.

   ● Fiscal Sustainability
     Maintain long-term financial sustainability to support Stewards’ mission and strategic goals.

Qua
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Executive Director will lead the Stewards team, share a passion for environmental education, and
create a vision of the future which preserves our natural resources. Areas of focus include:

Organizational leadership, strategy, and management
   ● Build on Stewards’ established strengths to drive forward our strategic goals and oversee an
       annual planning, budgeting, and review process.

   ● Report to and work with the board of directors to ensure organizational strength and
     productivity.

   ● Lead, train, hire, coach, and retain a diverse and talented staff who guide Stewards’ programs,
     partnerships and fundraising.

   ● Recruit, nurture and strengthen a large team of
     volunteers who form the backbone of our organization in
     implementing environmental education programs for
     visitors and students, including Redwood Ecology,
     Watersheds, Intertidal and Marine Ecosystems.

   ● Grow and build a team with a positive and inclusive
     workplace culture that encourages a diversity of voices and experiences.

   ● Support the development of programs and initiatives that enable learning experiences in nature
     for our visitors and the communities we serve.

Relationship building and partnership development
   ● Maintain, improve, and broaden strong working relationships with State Park representatives,
       public entities, funders, community partners, and other nonprofits.

   ● Be an ambassador of our mission and broaden ties with the diverse peoples of Sonoma County
     and surrounding areas.

   ● Work alongside critical partners, especially California State Parks staff, park advocacy
     organizations, environmental educational organizations, and area school districts to promote
     the operational goals of the organization and strive towards shared goals for conservation and
     sustainability.

   ● Cultivate a community of belonging that is welcoming and accessible for people of all ages,
     abilities, and backgrounds to enable everyone to enjoy rewarding experiences in
     nature. Develop strategies and benchmarks to increase diversity among staff and board.

Financial management and fundraising
    ● Communicate, develop, and monitor Stewards’ budget and revenue streams, balancing the
       organization’s short-term program goals and long-term resources.

   ● Work with the board to build the organization’s financial reserves and secure its financial future
     through growth of Stewards’ programs, Visitors’ Centers, and grant revenue.

   ● Secure, maintain, and expand funding from a range of individual, private and public sources.

Public communications and outreach
   ● Raise the visibility of Stewards and promote awareness and enjoyment of the Parks we
        manage.

   ●   Oversee all public and media relations and act as Stewards’ primary spokesperson.

   ●   Participate and present at conferences, symposiums, and training programs and serve as a
       leader in the nonprofit, stewardship, and environmental education communities.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will have a passion for Stewards’ mission and a capacity to lead an established,
successful organization through unusual times. Executive leadership skills, paired with creativity and a
collaborative approach, are essential.

The following are desired qualities:
   ● Passion for the Stewards’ mission and experience working in nature with people of all ages,
        abilities, and backgrounds.

   ● A practical thinker, curious listener, and creative problem solver with the ability to think
     strategically and make thoughtful decisions.

   ● Proven leadership skills that motivate , guide , and inspire.

   ● Empathetic and able to resolve conflicts by finding common ground.

   ● Management experience in positions of increasing responsibility and demonstrated ability to
     develop staff, board, and partners as well as recognize one’s own areas for potential growth.

   ● Experience building internal capacities and expanding access for diverse groups.

   ● Demonstrated fundraising experience and success, including from private donations and
     government and foundation grants.

   ● Experience developing and executing a complex budget with multiple funding sources.

   ● Able to clearly communicate with stakeholders, including California
     State Parks, along with local, regional and tribal agencies, working
     to build trust.

   ● Skilled in organizational development, administration, and
     personnel management.

   ● Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills and
     comfort with public speaking.

   ● 4 year college degree in related fields of study preferred.

   ● Bilingual, Spanish speaker desired.

LOCATION
The Executive Director will be based
out of the Stewards of the Coast and
Redwoods office located in the
beautiful Armstrong Redwoods State
Natural Reserve. A combination of
remote and onsite leadership is
expected as rules evolve toward safe
resumption of working full-time in an
office setting.
COMPENSATION
This is a regular, full-time, exempt
position. We offer PTO, a stipend
towards health care costs and a 403b
retirement plan.
START DATE
Applicant should be available to start no later than October 1, 2021 to allow transition overlap
with current Executive Director Michele Luna, who will be retiring in December.
TO APPLY
Interested candidates can apply by clicking on the link to the Application Packet below, which
takes you to our online application form and instructions for uploading your resume and a cover
letter describing your qualifications and what you will bring to the role. CLICK HERE to link to the
Application Packet.

Final offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check
that may include employment history, national criminal background check, national sex offender
registry search, and a driving history check. A valid driver’s license and driving record check must
have no more than one moving violation in the past three years, no DUI, reckless driving, or
serious moving violations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
More information about Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods can be found at
https://stewardscr.org

Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our effectiveness is
enhanced when equity and inclusiveness are practiced and protected throughout our
organizational governance, culture, and staffing. Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce is a
high priority at Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods. Stewards does not discriminate on the basis
of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual
orientation, physical or mental disability, military, genetic information, ancestry, marital status,
age, citizenship, or any other basis prohibited by law in any of its policies, programs or operations.