What are the responsibilities and job description for the Executive Director position at PorchLight Services?
Founded in 1987, Dakota Rural Action (DRA) is a grassroots, community organization organizing people and building leadership in rural South Dakota. DRA’s mission is to protect environmental resources, advocate for resilient agriculture systems, and empower people to create policy change that strengthens communities and cultures.
Position Summary
We are seeking an Executive Director who will embrace our mission and history while bringing fresh energy and new leadership. The Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization, leads our staff, and works with the board to plan the long-term direction, priorities, and policies of DRA. This means developing relationships with and between staff and board members, community members, funders and donors, and a wide variety of community organizations.
This position is based in South Dakota. Our offices are currently located in Brookings, Sioux Falls, and Rapid City. Other locations within South Dakota will be considered for the right applicant.
Our new Executive Director will join a financially strong organization with a grassroots base, board members who work with the organization’s staff to advance our members’ priorities, and a committed and talented staff team. We are excited to work with our new Executive Director to chart a strategic direction, strengthen the structures we have in place to support our board and staff to do their best work, and develop a shared vision for the transformative future we’re working toward in South Dakota.
Requirements
Primary Responsibilities
Leadership and Values :
- Building relationships of trust with Dakota Rural Action’s staff, board, members, and allies;
- Creating with the board and staff strategic planning that engages our members and South Dakota’s residents to build our collective power to affect change;
- Seeing the big picture — envisioning long-term possibilities with a focus on goals as much as on tasks;
- Bringing community organizing values to our conversations along with strong facilitating skills and a commitment to building consensus;
Honoring and promoting member-leaders as spokespeople for the organization and as visible leaders and voices for DRA.
With the board :
Preparing with the board chair meeting agendas and materials, and assisting the chair in facilitating meetings to encourage participation, open discussion, and group decision-making.
With the staff :
Implementing personnel policies.
With financial matters :
Ensuring proper accounting procedures, the filing of required financial reports, and activities required to maintain the organization’s 501(c)3 status.
With outside organizations :
Representing DRA in conversations with South Dakota community representatives, government agencies, elected officials, and industry representatives.
Travel, evening, and weekend work are sometimes required. In addition to the responsibilities listed above, the Executive Director is occasionally asked to carry out other duties as assigned by the board of directors.
Benefits
Qualifications
We seek candidates who value the power of grassroots community organizing, embrace DRA’s mission, and bring substantial experience in key areas. We encourage interested applicants to apply even if they feel they do not meet every qualification listed below :
Experience working with and cultivating an engaged board of directors, including supporting leadership development and facilitating transparent, informed, shared decision-making.
Salary and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $70,000- $85,000 per year, based on experience. DRA offers to staff members a benefits package that includes health, vision, and dental insurance, flex time, 14 paid vacation days annually and 21 paid vacation days after two years, 13 holidays / self selected PTO, up to 21 days of paid sick leave, two week organizational closure at the end of each calendar year, flexible parental leave, eligibility to apply for a paid sabbatical leave after each five years of service. For more information, please see .
Salary : $70,000 - $85,000
