Executive Director Job Description

The Opportunity: Vashon Wilderness Program (VWP) is hiring a new Executive Director for the first time in 20 years.  This is an exciting opportunity for a creative, heart-centered leader to steward this organization through the next phase of development. The Executive Director is the key management leader of VWP and is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs, financial stability, and strategic planning and development of the organization.  

Who We Are: Founded in 2007, Vashon Wilderness Program (VWP) provides transformative nature immersion experiences that cultivate a deep relationship between, self, community and the natural world. Our all-outdoor, experiential programs engender a powerful set of nature, wilderness, and community-building skills that help students live, learn, and lead with joy, vitality, peace, passion, and care. We offer year-round programming for youth ages 4-17 with additional opportunities for adults and families. At the heart of our work, we support a deep connection with the wonder and awe of nature for healthy individuals, communities and the planet. VWP believes that nature connection is a birthright and that all humans deserve access to the healing and wholing benefits of a nature-rooted childhood. Everything we do flows from values of Gratitude, Peace, Play, Balance, Community.  

We honor and acknowledge the sx̌ʷəbabs - known today as part of the Puyallup Tribe - and their traditional, unceded lands upon which we gather, work, and learn. Vashon and Maury Island are within the tribe's accustomed area for fishing and shellfish, and still today remain a vital part of the tribe's cultural sovereignty. 

Key Responsibilities 

Mission & Strategy

  • Works with board and staff to ensure the mission is fulfilled through programs, strategic planning, and communications. 

  • Implement VWP’s current strategic plan to ensure organizational growth and transformation; employs organizational learning to activate new opportunities 

  • Work with the board to craft ongoing strategic vision and alignment of organizational resources

  • Convey a strong sense of vision of VWP’s strategic future to staff, board, families, community, and donors

  • Cultivate and maintains relationships with various partner organizations and aligned communities

  • Actively and visibly engage across VWP’s larger community as the primary organizational representative 

  • Lead VWP in a manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission and values as defined by the board

Board Management & Recruitment

  • Works with board to fulfill the organization mission, goals, and values

  • Recruit, onboards, and stewards VWP board members

  • Effectively communicate with the board and provides timely and accurate information necessary for the board to function properly and to make informed decisions

  • Report to and works closely with the board to seek their involvement in policy decisions, fundraising, and to increase the overall visibility of VWP

  • Chair or coordinate with Chairs of Programming, Marketing, Development, and Infrastructure subcommittees and others as determined

Long-Term Financial Stability

  • Develops and manages resources to ensure the financial health of the organization 

  • Prepare budgets, provides regular updates, reviews account reconciliations, and is accountable for control of these resources once approved by the board, in accordance with VWP’s strategic plans

  • Direct all financial operations, including filing federal and state compliance documents, payroll, and Equitable Access and Salish Sea Fund Award process

  • Monitor program enrollment to ensure earned income goals are met 

  • Oversee and coordinate fundraising and donor management activities

  • Manage grants and contracts, as designated by the board

  • Develop other revenue sources including earned income and grant proposals

Operations

  • Oversees and implements resources to ensure effective and appropriate operations of the organization 

  • Hire, train, supervise, mentor, and retain competent, qualified staff; directly supports the VWP Program Director (1 FTE), and three hourly positions including the VWP Administrative Coordinator, Bookkeeper, and Marketing Coordinator

  • Process payroll, submit time sheets to bookkeeper, including modifications each month

  • Ensure Employee Handbook is current and includes VWP policies and procedures and curriculum guidelines

  • Recommend policies to the board and/or assist the board in the formulation of policies; ensure implementation of adopted policies

  • Maintain administrative procedures and processes to ensure fiscal accountability and control, equitable and fair personnel practices, and efficiency of operations

  • Carry chief administrative responsibility to ensure that legal obligations are met and ensure compliance with all appropriate regulations.

  • Ensure appropriate information flow both within and outside the organization

  • Ensure conflict resolution process in accordance with organizational cultural values

Shared Leadership

The ED reports directly to the Board of Directors, however VWP is actively engaging in a shared-leadership organizational model. The ED will join the Director’s Circle with the Program Director to help co-evolve and steward our growing organization, centering our values of equity, accessibility, and belonging. Accountability within the organization will be shared among the Director’s Circle in collaboration with members of the Board of Directors, the Elder Circle, the Equity Council, and the Mentors Circle.

Qualifications 

  • A passion for children, nature, community and nature connection mentoring

  • 7 years of demonstrated experience as a leader in the field of nature education and community building, or other related fields, including direct service and supervisory experience

  • Willingness to experiment with a shared-leadership model 

  • Demonstrated commitment to the principles and practices of equity, accessibility and belonging, and a willingness to learn and integrate these practices into your work at VWP

  • Budget management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, and decision-making

  • Demonstrated Experience creating and maintaining multi year  budget spreadsheets

  • Knowledge of fundraising strategies, nonprofit donor relations, and earned income approaches

  • Experience communicating and cultivating relationships with diverse groups of people, including donors, partners, foundations, coworkers, community members, and collaborators

  • Strong organizational abilities including planning, delegating, program development, and prioritized  task facilitation 

  • Creativity, initiative, sense of humor, flexibility and team spirit

  • Proficiency in Google Suite

  • Comfort with public relations, public speaking and social media marketing

  • Reliable access to a private vehicle, and valid driverʼs license

  • An intention to live in the Vashon community and be with VWP long-term

  • Training in equity, trauma-informed learning, child development, compassionate communication, and consensus-based decision making (preferred)

Physical Requirements:

  • Willingness and ability to spend significant time outdoors in all weather conditions, mentoring/supporting field staff, interacting with children and families

  • Willingness and ability to spend significant time in an office setting to carry out administrative job responsibilities

  • Willingness to be exposed to natural elements of outdoor work including, fire, smoke, water, and outdoor risks and hazards 

Benefits & Compensation

The VWP ED is a full-time, non-exempt position. The annual gross compensation range is $70,000-$90,000 depending on experience and qualifications. The work effort will vary by season.

Benefits include: 

  • Paid Sick Leave

  • Worker’s Compensation

  • Ferry costs are reimbursed for employees commuting from off-island

  • Eligibility for annual meritorious bonuses

  • Tuition discount for a child participating in VWP programming

  • Employment may count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness 

  • Be a part of a community that values earth-based wisdom

  • Support others in their journey of deep nature connection

  • Receive support for your own learning and growth

Application Procedure

To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to apply@vashonwildernessprogram.org. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.  In your cover letter please include leadership experience relevant to managing people, programs, budgets, and/or organizations and especially relevant to nature connection work and programs for children and youth.  Describe some of your own experience of nature connection and passion or vision you might bring to the work of VWP.  Please also include 3 references with your cover letter or resume.

Anti Discrimination Statement

VWP works to create a welcoming, inclusive community where all individuals feel a sense of belonging. Discrimination and harassment in any form have no place in our organization, programs, activities, or interactions.

Current research shows that people from marginalized groups including people of color, LGBTQ+, and women are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all the criteria listed in the job application. Your life story, knowledge, and wisdom harvested from experience are incredibly valuable and welcomed!

We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply, including people of diverse races, ethnicities, religions, languages, abilities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and ages even if you believe you do not meet all of the desired qualifications.