Operations Director

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. At the heart of our work, we cultivate 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 nested within a nature-rooted culture. 

VWP is hiring an Operations Director to help co-evolve and steward our growing organization, centering our values of decolonization, equity, justice, accessibility, and shared leadership. 

Job Summary

The Operations Director will join the Director’s Circle with the Executive and Program Directors to be an integral voice for the health and sustainability of VWP. 

The Operations Director will oversee finance, manage and support VWP’s infrastructure technology, and be responsible for administrative operations, as well as provide additional support to the Executive and Program Directors in marketing and fundraising efforts. The Operations Director will work closely with our part-time Administrator/Bookkeeper.

Collaboration

VWP is actively restructuring towards a shared-leadership organizational model. The Operations Director will collaborate with the Executive Director and Program Director to co-create this new evolutionary model of leadership. Accountability within the organization will be shared among the Director’s Circle in collaboration with members of the Board of Directors (specifically with the Treasurer), the Elder Circle, the Equity Council, and the Staff Circle. 

This Job is for You If:

• You value collaborative working environments and the capacity to lead within one 
• You have strong budgeting, information technology and administrative experience
• You enjoy working on computers and helping others use technology effectively
• You have excellent verbal and written communication skills
• You value nature as a source of health and wholeness for individuals and communities
• You believe everyone should have equitable access to nature and understand that there is a link between social justice and nature connection
• You have a desire to learn and integrate principles and practices of decolonization, racial justice and accessibility into your work at VWP

Job Responsibilities

The Operations Director is primarily responsible for financial, infrastructure technology and administrative management. Responsibilities may be adapted to align with VWP mission and community needs while utilizing consent-based decision-making with the Director’s Circle andVWP’s Treasurer.

Financial Management

• Manages overall security, accuracy and integrity of financial systems and internal controls (i.e., bank accounts, loans, asset management, grants income/expenses) 
• Develops along with Executive and Program Directors long term financial strategic plan for board approval
• Produces budgets and financial reports for review by the ED and/or Treasurer as requested
• Coordinates with VWP’s Administrator/Bookkeeper
• Manages monthly payroll in coordination with Executive Director
• Oversees budget creation, management, and financial reports in coordination with Executive and Program Directors
• Oversees preparation of IRS 990 in coordination with Executive Director, Administrator/Bookkeeper, Board Treasurer and VWP’s accounting firm
• Assesses, reviews and integrates any policies with financial impact 

Infrastructure Technology Management

• Maintains and extends integrated budget spreadsheets and ensure data integrity across multiple assessment documents for annual budgeting and long-term strategic planning 
• Develop and maintain fiscal and electronic infrastructure
• Budgeting systems
• Accounting systems
• Electronic payment systems
• Fundraising infrastructure
• Equipment - laptops, phones, etc.
• Ensures security, coordination and integration of payment, donation, budget, and accounting systems
• Oversees administration of VWP Google electronic assets
• Assesses, acquires and maintains IT infrastructure, software licenses, and accounts for payment processing

Administrative Management

• Coordinates IT resources, troubleshooting, and planning
• Coordinates and maintains Google services (Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, calendar)
• Coordinates and maintains mobile phone account and VOIP phone system
• Coordinates and maintains office supplies, equipment, and resources
• Supports and coordinates board/staff events and meetings as needed
• Supports program operations as needed
• Supports fundraising operations as needed
• Supports marketing operations as needed (i.e., ensures adequate and functioning media platforms for media assets management for all marketing, development and programming activities)
• Supports Executive Director and Program Director as needed
• Serves on the VWP Directors Council

Meeting/Reporting

• Meet with Directors Circle and Treasurer as requested
• Provide reports to the Director Circle and Treasurer as requested

Education and Experience

• 5+ years of operations and financial management experience
• Experience with accounting and QuickBooks
• Proficient in managing IT, computers, cloud based software and systems
• Proficient in Google docs, spreadsheets and other G-suite platforms
• Experience with Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion work desired 
• Bachelor’s degree

Key Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
• Excellent project management skills, including ongoing prioritization of tasks
• Active leadership in creative administrative problem solving
• Detail-oriented and highly organized
• Growth Mindset
• Computer literacy with Gmail, Google Docs & Sheets, Word, Excel, CRMs, internet, cloud based systems, etc.
• Familiarity with VWP’s programs and educational culture
• A true passion for VWP’s vision and mission
• Physical ability to move and work efficiently in an office environment
• Physical ability to move and work outdoors for occasional meetings and program visits

Compensation and Benefits

The Operations Director position is part-time. The salary of $14,475 equates to $30 per hour for approximately 9 hours per week (.25FTE). The work effort will vary by season. 

For candidates with field mentoring experience/qualifications, mentoring openings may be filled to create an additional part-time salary, subject to withholdings. Please inquire about weekly and monthly school-year program and summer camp positions.

Benefits include: 

• 4 weeks paid time off during program closure periods
• Worker’s Compensation
• Ferry costs are reimbursed for employees commuting from off-island
• Meritorious bonuses
• Connective, community-minded workplace
• Receive support for your own learning and growth

How to apply:

To apply, please complete our online application, including uploading your resume, cover letter and contact information for three references.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. This position will start July 1st.

Anti-discrimination Statement

VWP welcomes all children, families and staff members and works to create an emotionally and physically safe space for every member of our community. We work to dismantle systemic racism and the effects of oppression which exist within all facets of our organization - within our bodies, minds and hearts, in our policies and practices, and in our wider VWP community and beyond. More information on VWP’s Commitment to Justice is found HERE. 

We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply, including people of diverse races, ethnicities, religions, languages, abilities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and ages.