Executive Director

The Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education (WAEE) is a member-based, professional community that promotes responsible environmental action, elevates diverse voices for environmental justice, and celebrates excellence in environmental education. We are seeking a part-time Executive Director to revitalize the strong tradition of environmental education in our state. The ED’s work will provide a common voice for the organization, build opportunities for networking, and develop our financial capacity. 

The Executive Director will serve part-time, 20 hours per week, to further the reach and capacity of WAEE. The initial posting is for a 1-year term with a target start date of May 1, 2022, and the opportunity to renew. The Executive Director will work predominantly from home with some occasional travel required. Office equipment is provided or subsidized.

The Executive Director, supervised by the Board of Directors, will focus and expand on three domains for the organization: Finance (primarily fundraising and grant procurement), Networking (building upon current partnerships and forging new relationships throughout the state and region), and Providing a Common Voice (consistency and continuity for WAEE).

Summary of Essential Job Functions:

• Coordinate donor cultivation and management, grant writing, annual appeals, sponsorship solicitations, and other fundraising and development needs of WAEE.
• Establish an organizational strategic vision and work plan in collaboration with the Board of Directors.
• Nurture support for and recognition of the impact of environmental education in the state.
• Represent WAEE through its partners and affiliates, including but not limited to the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) and Midwest Environmental Education Conference (MEEC).
• Act as liaison with community, state, national and international organizations while representing WAEE interests.
• Develop and enact annual budgets for WAEE with support and input from the Board of Directors and the Administrative Assistant.
• Supervise the WAEE Administrative Assistant.
• Provide monthly activity reports to the Board of Directors Executive/Finance Committee.
• Engage in professional development opportunities that will enhance leadership, management, or other areas of WAEE.

Skills & Qualifications:

• At least 3 years of experience related to environmental education and an understanding of the field.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent experience in the field.
• Ability to plan collaboratively and execute independently.
• Demonstrated commitment to building positive relationships with and equitable access across diverse identities, backgrounds, and social constructs, including those associated with race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, socioeconomic status, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and other aspects of human diversity to work toward justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Strong organizational and communication skills to initiate, form and effectively maintain relationships. Demonstrated success in team building and conflict resolution.
• Experience with effective collaborative partnerships made up of diverse organizations and individuals (e.g., rural/urban, low-income/high-income, etc.).
• Skilled at creating and managing ongoing program, departmental, and/or organizational budgets.
• Experience in fund development, able to find financial opportunities including grants, donor development, and strategic partnership.
• Experience in nonprofit management, board management, public relations, business, or marketing.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace and experience with QuickBooks is helpful for this position.
• Must reside in or be willing to relocate to Wisconsin. Must have the ability to work from home (or another location with reasonable access to telephone and high-speed internet service) and have reliable transportation for travel to meetings, conferences, etc. 

Salary and Benefits: The Executive Director starting salary is $32,000 annually for 20 hours/work per week on average. 40 hours of paid holidays and 40 hours of paid leave are included, as well as registration and travel costs for WAEE and NAAEE conferences and professional development events, subject to budgetary restrictions. Office equipment is provided or subsidized. WAEE is not able to offer additional benefits at this time.

Note: This position may increase to a full time position at the discretion of the Board of Directors and the Executive Director and based on successful fundraising. 

How to apply:

To Apply: Send cover letter, resume, and list of references to admin@waee.org. Applications due Monday, March 21, 2022.