Assistant Director

 Assistant Director – Full Time Position

The Howard County Conservancy is a 32-year-old nonprofit nature center and land trust.  Our home base is the 232-acre Mt. Pleasant Farm in Woodstock, MD.  We also operate a Nature Preschool at Belmont Manor and Historic Park in Elkridge, MD.  Our grounds feature 5 miles of trails, native, pollinator and community gardens, and the only historic farmstead open to the public in Howard County. We reach more than 30,000 people each year through our prek-12th grade environmental education programs and a rich variety of programs for the community. To accomplish our work, the Conservancy employs 15 full time staff, 5 part time staff, seasonal staff, interns and a cadre of committed volunteers.

The Conservancy seeks to foster a vibrant community where environmentally aware, engaged and responsible stewards can thrive. Our three-prong mission focuses on education, preservation and stewardship of our environment.  We are committed to integrating diversity, equity and inclusion practices both internally and externally through our programmatic activities and community outreach. Our strategic plan goals include:

Be a trusted educator, resource and convener
Ensure all aspects of the Conservancy mirror the community it serves
Expand conservation and restoration opportunities
Integrate DEI priorities both internally and externally

We are seeking a highly motivated, energetic and experienced professional to serve on our leadership team. The Assistant Director oversees the day-to-day operations of our 232-acre nature center. This position supervises approximately six full time staff to ensure efficient operations in support of our mission and our strategic plan. The Assistant Director also takes an active role in development and grants management.

General Responsibilities

Management:

• Foster a collaborative working environment through a team-oriented management style that inspires and empowers staff while championing accountability.
• Provide oversight of staff and workflow to support excellence in the following areas: administration, buildings and grounds, summer camp, development/marketing, public programming, and facility rentals.
• Monitor staff and volunteer workflow in support of the strategic plan.
• Provide feedback to the Executive Director on resources needed to support staff and volunteer efforts.
• Oversee human resource functions including hiring, training, mentoring and evaluating staff as well as benefits administration.

Operations:

• Ensure the management of facilities and grounds support our preservation goals and high-quality visitor experiences.
• Ensure that all operational procedures and guidelines are followed and created and updated as needed.
• Procure and manage external contracts to support efficient operations.
• Stay current on technologies and trends that will enhance the organization’s ability to serve our mission.
• Monitor use of the organization’s resources to ensure sustainable operations.

Development:

• Assist with grant writing, grant management and reporting.
• Support major donor engagement and solicitation.
• Support and cultivate partnerships with community and corporate groups.

Other Duties:

• Embrace environmental education and step in to lead programs when needed.
• Participate as an active member of the staff team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• BA/BS degree
• 8+ years experience in nonprofit, government, business, or environmental sciences including supervisory experience.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, WordPress, and donor management systems.

Skills and Abilities:

• Proven communication ability, including providing writing samples.
• Strong project management and time management skills with the ability coordinate multiple projects and priorities.
• Highly organized and detail oriented.
• Understanding of the principals of nonprofit management.
• Works effectively with a variety of staff, clients and stakeholders.

Benefits include:

• Three weeks PTO with an increase after 5 years, 10 paid holidays
• Pretax Simple IRA with fully vested employer match
• Employer funded short & long term disability insurance and life insurance
• Employer funded dental Insurance
• Employer contribution to health insurance
• Family friendly environment with flexible schedule options

How to apply:

To apply send resume and cover letter by June 20, 2022 to:

meg.boyd@howardnature.org