Executive Director

Position Description - Executive Director

About Us

Lake County Resources Initiative (LCRI), is a rural-based regionally-focused natural resource and economic development nonprofit organization located in Lakeview, Oregon. We work at the intersection of energy, forestry, and education to promote creative solutions to the unique challenges rural Oregonians face. Please take some time to review our website to learn more about our core work at lcri.org.

LCRIs success can be attributed to strong collaborative leadership. LCRI began programming that resulted in healthier forests and a strong local economy while encouraging a deeper relationship between the forest and the people that call the region home. From there, LCRI expanded its focus to rethink rural economic development and the socioeconomic impacts of natural resource management and rural energy. 

LCRI's mission and vision translate into a diverse array of programmatic activities including local economic development efforts, helping facilitate energy development strategies with the County and municipalities, assisting agricultural producers with the development of irrigation modernization practices, leveraging financial resources offered to rural small businesses, commercial and residential energy conservation, collaboration in management of forests and watersheds, ecological monitoring across public and private lands, student and peer-led biophysical monitoring; and many other areas that provide ecological, economic, and social benefits. We focus on promoting a healthy local economy based around a sustainable environment and natural resources, ensuring quality of life for present and future generations.

Summary:

Lake County Resources Initiative is hiring a full-time Executive Director. The Executive Director reports directly to the LCRI Board of Directors, and will be responsible for implementing and enforcing the procedures, policies and organizational bylaws outlined by the Board of Directors. The Executive Director works collaboratively to create and achieve strategic goals and produce tangible and reportable outcomes while meeting fiduciary responsibilities of the organization. It is the Executive Director’s responsibility to oversee the full range of administrative and programmatic activities, personnel, and relationships upon which LCRI operates.

Organizational Leadership:

• Lead the organization by cultivating and maintaining strong working relationships with the Board of Directors, employees, and a diverse range of stakeholder groups.
• Attend and participate in meetings, conferences, and events in coordination with network partners and program staff to support existing and developing programming. 
• Maintain a working relationship with the Lake County Commissioners and municipalities, and offer support and resources when appropriate to further their mission of service within Lake County. 
• Assert oneself as a leader within the community by actively listening to and seeking input and perspectives from diverse community groups and individuals about ways to address ecologic, economic, and social issues. 

Administration:

• Provide oversight of the program directors, managers, and employees by working to maintain existing contracts and establish new program and funding opportunities.
• Develop monthly board meeting agendas, organize scheduling, procure essential supporting documentation, 
• Coordinate with the Business Manager to develop an annual budget and strategic plan to be presented to the Board of Directors, and provide oversight of LCRI’s monthly and annual expenses.
• Provide oversight of social media accounts and LCRIs website by working with program staff.
• Oversee the hiring, onboarding, and firing procedures of employees and report outcomes to the Board of Directors. 
• Ensure employee contracts and work obligations are being met by holding regular meetings, performance reviews, and actively listening to employee needs and concerns.
• Be responsible for financial reports and tracking by assuring all funding sources are spent appropriately and deliverables are met in a timely manner.

Qualifications of Employment:

• Holds a 4-year degree or equivalent field experience in business administration, energy, forestry, woodland management, and/or other natural resources related fields preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience in nonprofit management or business administration including writing and implementing grants, contracts, and program implementation.
• 3-5 years of experience in a supervisory role. 
• Is well organized and has logistical skills necessary for hosting events, facilitating conversations, and following through with commitments.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to manage competing time demands. Must be a self-starter, takes initiative, has good organizational and time management skills.
• Goal driven and possess a high degree of motivation and energy.
• Must demonstrate strong leadership characteristics, act with integrity, and hold space for critical conversations in order to build trust and strong relationships with employees, directors, and stakeholders.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Must be confident and comfortable with conducting business in person, over the phone, via email, as well as digital meeting platforms such as Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams. 
• Proficiency in using technology and software to streamline work processes and outreach, including Microsoft Office tools (word, excel, power point, etc.) Google Apps (Google Drive and Admin Console).
• Must have a valid driver's license, second form of identification (passport or birth certificate) and be willing to participate in a background check. 

Hiring Preferences:

• Knowledge of and/or work experience with forestry practices and programs, woodland management, landscape restoration, and or related natural resource science including how Federal, State, and local policy impacts the ability of government agency and non-agency groups to perform work on regional landscapes.
• Knowledge of and/or work experience with energy efficiency and or renewable energy project/programs planning and development, including how Federal, State, and local government and utility policy impacts funding and resources.
• Experience in budget  management and planning. 
• Proficiency in nonprofit accounting using Quickbooks preferred. 

It is critical to the Executive Director's success to be comfortable living and working in a rural and remote community. Lakeview and the surrounding region of South-Central Oregon is sparsely populated over a large geographic area, with limited access to some modern amenities.

How This Position is Funded:

This position is funded in part by each program area, including various contracts, grants, and administrative fees. The Executive Director is expected to work with the Board of Directors and employees to continuously seek additional grants and charitable dollars to support their position and the organization as a whole.

Compensation: $65,000.00 - $85,000.00 annual salary depending on experience and qualifications. This is a full time exempt position.

Benefits: Employer paid health insurance, dental insurance, and accrued paid time off subject to a 60-day probationary period.

Approach to Hiring:

LCRI prioritizes incorporating into our work and organization, diverse perspectives from people traditionally underrepresented in or shut out of energy, forestry, and economic development spaces. We firmly believe that these perspectives allow us to more effectively solve complex problems and prioritize the delivery of our services to those who have been historically underserved. 

LCRI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status. LCRI welcomes all. 

Note: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any other person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves and others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.