Executive Director, Shipley Nature Center, Huntington Beach, CA

Shipley Nature Center is an 18-acre ecological preserve for California native plants and wildlife located in Huntington Beach Central Park West. The nature center is a carefully maintained ecosystem of 8 habitats that can be accessed via 4,000 feet of trails, wrapping around a natural pond. The Friends of Shipley Nature Center is a non-profit organization formed to manage the nature center as an ecological sanctuary for California native plants and wildlife and to provide environmental education in an urban setting in partnership with the City of Huntington Beach and the local community, and with the wider world. 

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree. A degree in Education, Environmental Studies or other related field preferred.
• A passion for the environment and conservation
• Proven experience in a senior leadership role
• Experience hiring, managing, and developing staff and coordinating volunteers
• Strong organizational and management skills
• Financial acumen, experience and/or knowledge in accounting and bookkeeping.

The Ideal Candidate Will

• Have strong business acumen and work experience in the nonprofit and fundraising realm, including development, and cultivation of donors.
• Lead diverse staff and volunteers from multiple ethnic, racial, and social backgrounds.
• Show empathy and respect towards all persons and foster a culture of trust, excellence, and cooperation among all persons who volunteer, work, visit, or contribute to Shipley Nature Center.
• Possess excellent time-management, project management and interpersonal skills, including the ability to juggle multiple timelines and priorities.
• Demonstrate a deep commitment to Shipley Nature Center’s mission and passion for nature and the environment.
• Mentor staff and volunteers, and be able to lead by example
• Effectively prioritize and balance long- and short-term goals.
• Possess outstanding oral and written communications skills.
• Be proficient in working with computers, is knowledgeable of Microsoft Office including word processing, spreadsheets, presentation and website software, Google suite and has experience using multiple social media platforms, including Canva.
• Is comfortable being the face of an organization to community partners, donors, and stakeholders to increase awareness and overall visibility.
• Experience in the fields of environmental education, conservation, biodiversity, and related disciplines preferred.
• Demonstrated success in board recruitment, development, and general knowledge of board expectations.
• Ability to use Quickbooks or equivalent accounting software to develop budgets and track and reconcile expenditures, create budget reports.

Duties

• Oversee all conservation efforts, including the maintenance and restoration of habitats with groundskeepers, in an 18-acre nature center that includes an interpretive center, nursery, and buildings.
• Responsible for developing and implementing innovative and attractive education programs and activities for visitors of all ages, including school groups, community organizations, and the public.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with the local community, including donors, volunteers, government agencies and the public.
• Serves as the primary spokesperson for FSNC, representing its mission, vision, and goals to raise the organization’s visibility and funding base.
• Develop effective fundraising and pursue grants to ensure the financial sustainability of the organization.
• Make presentations to diverse groups, including staff, volunteers, board members, donors, foundations, government agencies, grant agencies, the FSNC membership.
• Development of policies and procedures for effective operations and management of the nature center
• Supervise a small, diverse staff, including hiring, assigning work, appraise work performance, provide feedback, and disciplinary actions
• Planning and organizing day-to-day activities and major events
• Directs fundraising events and activities, membership drives, educational programs
• Works closely with the FSNC Board of Directors and its committees to develop and implement the organization's strategic plan and goals.
• Responsible for recruiting and training volunteers
  Act as the liaison with the City of Huntington Beach,
• Orange County Department of Education, and state agencies who fund or regulate nature center activities
• Develop disaster response plans and lead response efforts
• Propose annual budget for board approval, manage budget on daily basis, report budget performance at regularly scheduled board meetings.
• Oversee merchandise sales, including ordering, inventory, stocking, register sales, accounting, payment of taxes, and record keeping.
• Responsible for organization's legal and financial compliance.
• Pursue, manage, and execute external contracts, including IT support, HR support, accounting, marketing, habitat maintenance for contracts up to $10,000 and higher if approved by the FSNC Board
• Assist with other administrative duties as assigned. 

Physical Demands
This position may require physical activity, such as walking, hiking, and standing for extended periods, and occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment
The Executive Director will primarily work in an office environment, but will also spend time outdoors in the nature center and at community events. Work hours may vary, including some evenings and weekends. In fulfilling the duties and responsibilities listed above, the Executive Director will ensure that FSNC complies with all the relevant laws and regulations.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job. The Executive Director may be required to perform other duties as assigned by the FSNC Board of Directors.