BACKGROUND
Grow Portland is hiring a skilled leader to guide the delivery of our school garden and healthy eating programs in Portland, Oregon. We are the leading, local nonprofit organization dedicated to school garden education with more than 15 public school partners. Each month, we work with 7,000 students of which more than half are students of color.
Founded in 2010, we are transitioning from the leadership of our founder to a new Executive Director. The Executive Director will lead a staff of six and manage a budget of $275,000+. We welcome applications from candidates with a passion for education and skills working in ethnically diverse communities. Grow Portland encourages applicants with diverse life, work and educational experiences to apply.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Executive Director leads the nonprofit, Grow Portland, working as a member of a leadership team of three. The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing the implementation of programs and partnerships in collaborations with the board of directors and staff. Key duties include fundraising, financial management, marketing, human resources management and legal compliance. The position reports directly to the Board of Directors.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
5 years of leadership and management experience in public, private or non-profit settings.
3 years of fundraising experience. Experience securing and managing federal, state, local and/or private foundation grant funding is desired.
Excellent writing, speaking, listening, organization, and administrative skills.
Work experience with complex institutions and partners.
Experience and skills living or working in diverse ethnic and cultural communities; skills to advance diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
Proactive communication skills and emotional intelligence.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience with direct fundraising such as individual and business donors.
Skills selecting and overseeing staff and board members.
Marketing and public relations skills.
Experience in the food, agricultural, horticultural and/or public education.
Experience implementing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives internally and externally.
COMPENSATION and BENEFITS
Full time with at least 40 hours per week Monday through Friday. Some weekends and evening hours required.
Salary range is $55,000 to $70,000.
Health insurance coverage through Grow Portland’s group insurance plan with Providence Health.
Retirement benefits after one year of probation employment.
Paid time off: approximately 25 days per year (vacation, holidays and sick time).
APPLICATION AND HIRING PROCESS INFORMATION & INSTRUCTIONS
Submit application as a combined PDF file in the following order: 1) a cover letter addressing how your skills, experience and goals relate to this position, 2) a 1-2 page resume, and 3) answers to supplemental questions (two pages maximum). Applications are due April 7, 2019.
Supplemental Questions: 1. How do you think issues of inequity and trauma influence students in our public education system? 2. Please discuss your strategies to ensure financial health and sustainability in a small nonprofit. 3. Why do you think school garden education is important? 4. Describe your style as a manager.
Please submit your application in one document as a pdf file. Please email your complete application to growportland (at) gmail.com. For more information or for questions about this position please contact Amy Gilroy, Grow Portland, Board of Directors at amy.gilroy (at) gmail.com.
ROLES and RESPONSIBILITIES
Fundraising and Development
Actively complete public and private grant applications at local, state, and national levels to raise at least $200,000 annually.
Develop and maintain relationships with individual and business donors.
Manage donor database and develop funder communication plan.
Maintain systems to track and meet grant application and grant report deadlines.
Develop and maintain an inventory of past, prospective and future funding opportunities.
Financial Management
Oversee financial management practices to ensure that Grow Portland maintains adequate income, cash flow and reserves.
Determine annual budget and track variances.
Provide required documentation to bookkeeper for accounting and reporting.
Process grant awards/contracts, invoices and reimbursements.
Determine school garden program fees in partnership with schools and staff.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Provide vision and leadership to ensure Grow Portland’s staff, board members and participants reflect and respect our diverse community.
Create opportunities for staff and board members to advance learning around issues of cultural competency and social justice.
Develop and implement policies and practices to recruit and support diverse staff, board and participants.
Work with board and staff to provide periodic review and update Grow Portland’s equity plan.
Board Governance
Serve as staff to the board by scheduling, planning and coordinating board member activities.
Work with board members to recruit, select and orient new board members.
Provide regular programmatic, financial and administrative updates and engagement opportunities for board members.
Work directly with the board to annually evaluate the board’s performance.
Develop organizational policies and procedures with board members.
Work with board members to ensure adequate financial controls are in place.
Work with board members to create and implement strategic and organizational plans.
Complete other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.
Organizational and Program Management
Oversee and develop staff practices to keep school garden sites safe, productive and beautiful.
Work with staff to gather program evaluation data to measure the organization’s impacts.
Lead and/or carry out marketing and networking activities to increase the visibility and reputation of the organization.
Work with staff to ensure quality educational programming; provide ongoing feedback on curriculum and educational delivery.
Human Resources and Legal
Maintain insurance policies, insurance documents, and reporting.
Complete federal, state and local registration and reporting.
Work with staff to maintain and monitor practices and policies to ensure staff and participant safety.
Oversee and conduct tasks of recruiting, hiring and orienting staff in partnership with the leadership team; supervise, train, motivate and evaluate staff.
Process monthly payroll.