Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams Executive Director

The Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams (KAWS) is offering a position as an Executive Director (ED). Tim Christian, current KAWS part-time coordinator, has served for 8 years and has been instrumental in developing the organization. However, the KAWS Board of Directors now seeks a full-time Executive Director to lead the organization to the next level.

In addition to maintaining the operation of KAWS, interacting with the Board of Directors, supervising other staff members (i.e., WRAPS and KAWS chapter coordinators, project coordinators), the ED will primarily be responsible for fund raising and grant writing, program and long-term strategic plan development. The mission of KAWS is: To ensure the future of wetlands, streams, and their adjacent riparian areas as integral parts of our Kansas heritage and landscape.

The primary activities in the area of fundraising include coordinating grant writing for both operations and mission-directed proposals, and developing database and strategy for grant acquisition from foundations and government agencies that best match the Alliance’s mission and needs of our partners. The candidate must also further develop and carry out a comprehensive donor strategy, and initiate and maintain close personal communication with primary donors. As a second major priority, the ED will be required to interact with the Board of Directors to schedule and organize quarterly meetings, training and education programs, facilitate nominations and election of new Board members, and distribute meeting agendas and minutes to all Board members. The ED will also regularly interact with the Executive Committee and Board Chair for ongoing direction, updates, and other related activities. The third priority of the ED will be to develop an overall long-term strategic plan for the Alliance. This will require working with staff and the Board of Directors to define the long-term goals and objectives for the group and the strategy for achieving these, as well as overseeing the implementation of the long-term strategy.

In addition to the primary responsibilities, the ED will also work to solicit membership and maintain databases, prepare the annual report, establish and maintain records, and develop the annual budget and grant reports. The ED will assist the treasurer and accountant in tracking income and expenses, administer operation and capacity building grants, track in-kind services and project expenses, and, ensure compliance with state and federal requirements for 501(c)(3) non-profits, arrange for annual audit and tax form preparation, oversee the initiation of monthly invoices for work performed through grants and contracts, field queries from the media and the public, oversee the production of outreach materials, and provide general presentations to public. The ED will serve as the primary KAWS contact for planning and conducting conferences and state-wide events.

KAWS is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization providing technical assistance, education and coordinating efforts for numerous state and federal agencies, private organizations, and landowners working to create, protect, and restore wetlands and riparian areas in Kansas. For more information on KAWS see www.kaws.org <http://www.tamariskcoalition.org/> .

Qualifications:

The successful candidate must have at least a Bachelor’s degree in a biological sciences related field or non-profit administration, three years minimum experience in a leadership position preferably with an environmental non-profit. This should include demonstrated capability to work with diverse boards and/or committees. In addition, the candidate should have good computer, oral and written communication, website development, and organizational skills.

Salary:

Salary will be based on experience and education, within a range of $60,000 - $65,000, with additional reimbursable allowances for home office, travel, and other allowable expenses. The position will be filled January 1, 2008, and evaluated annually by the Board, with continuation based on satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

Send or e-mail a letter of application, resume, and the contact information for 3 references no later than September 30, 2007 to:

Charles J. Barden

KAWS Board Chairman

2021 Throckmorton-HFRR

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS 66506

(785) 532-1444

cbarden@ksu.edu <mailto:smetzger@kws.state.us>

Tentative Schedule:

August 27 – September 30: Post position announcement

October 1 – October 30: Review applications and determine interview list

November 5 & 6: Conduct interviews

January 1, 2008: Executive Director begins position