We are hiring! – Full Job Description

Executive Director

Island Heritage Trust (IHT) seeks a full-time Executive Director to lead a growing non-profit organization dedicated to conserving the natural and cultural heritage of Deer Isle and surrounding islands.

The ideal candidate should have strong leadership and strategic planning skills, a passion for land conservation, and the ability to work effectively with the Board of Trustees, staff and volunteers and to serve as the public face of IHT with landowners, donors, local citizens and the broader land trust community.

Founded in 1987, Island Heritage Trust’s mission is to contribute to the well-being of the Island community by conserving its distinctive landscapes and natural resources, by maintaining public access to valued trails, shoreline and islands and by providing educational programming for all ages.  IHT owns 25 properties (totaling over 600 acres), holds conservation easements on 37 properties (covering more than 850 acres), and co-manages with The Nature Conservancy and the State of Maine three conservation properties totaling nearly 300 acres.

The Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day management of IHT under the supervision of the Board of Trustees and is an ex officio member of the Board.  The organization is currently staffed by a Development Director, a Land Steward, an Environmental Educator, a Volunteer Coordinator and Office Manager, a Bookkeeper and a Seasonal Stewardship Assistant. Major organizational functions are overseen by volunteer committees, including a Stewardship Committee, Land Committee, Finance Committee, Development Committee and Program Committee.  Dozens of other volunteers help maintain trails, run our Nature Shop, help out in the office and participate in our other programs.  IHT is a membership nonprofit with more than 700 Members.

The Executive Director’s responsibilities encompass the following:

 

Leadership and Strategy

  • Work with the Board of Trustees to develop and implement strategies to carry out IHT’s mission
  • Lead program development and execution
  • Guide satisfaction of LTA accreditation requirements and compliance with LTA standards
  • Help devise strategies to improve IHT’s financial position
  • Recruit, train, supervise, evaluate and inspire staff
  • Promote active participation by volunteers in IHT’s programs and activities
  • Expand IHT’s community outreach
  • Represent IHT in its work with the public, donors and the land trust community

 

Land Conservation

  • Oversee the implementation of IHT’s land conservation programs
  • Evaluate and negotiate conservation easements and fee property acquisitions
  • Supervise the work of the Land Steward and oversee stewardship of conservation properties
  • Interact with property owners
  • Recommend responses to easement amendments and violations
  • Remain up-to-date on issues and trends in the land trust community

 

Community Relations

  • Develop and oversee public relations activities and relations with landowners, members, community leaders and other organizations
  • Disseminate information to the public on land conservation and on IHT, its programs and its projects
  • Oversee the work of the Environmental Educator in developing and implementing educational programs for the schools and public
  • Oversee the maintenance and updating of the IHT website, its Facebook page and its other social media feeds

 

Development

  • Oversee the development and implementation of land program, operating and capital campaign fundraising activities
  • Supervise the work of the Development Director
  • Identify and pursue grants and other funding sources
  • Promote an active membership recruitment program

 

Budgeting and Accounting

  • Work with the Treasurer, the Finance Committee and other committees to prepare the annual budget
  • Manage expenditures in compliance with the annual budget
  • Ensure that restricted funds are expended solely in accordance with the donor’s instructions
  • Work with IHT’s accountant to prepare its Form 990 and annual financial statements
  • Oversee the work of the Bookkeeper in all of the Bookkeeper’s functions, including ensuring that IHT bills are paid in a timely fashion and that appropriate filings are made with respect to donations
  • Ensure that all insurance policies, documentation relating to IHT’s charitable status, IHT’s annual reports, tax filings and PILOT contributions are up-to-date and made in a timely fashion

 

Administration

  • Communicate regularly with the Board of Trustees and committees to maintain a consistent flow of information both inside and outside the organization
  • Prepare and circulate to Trustees documentation for each Board meeting
  • Attend Board meetings and Committee meetings as required
  • Maintain Board records and files of all Board minutes, agendas, and related documentation
  • Help prepare and organize materials and training for new and existing Board members
  • Supervise the work of the Volunteer Coordinator and Office Manager and other staff
  • Plan for, and allocate resources to meet, organizational and transactional deadlines
  • Keep current with relevant employment and tax laws and practices
  • Review and recommend to the Board appropriate changes to organizational structure and personnel policies
  • Manage IHT facilities
  • Maintain and secure membership lists, donation records and other IHT records in an orderly and accessible manner

 

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Undergraduate degree or equivalent
Experience: At least three years of relevant experience. Land conservation, supervisory, budgeting, nonprofit restricted funds management, fundraising and management experience preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, Attributes: Budgeting, facility with basic accounting matters, time management, delegation, excellent written and oral communication skills, relationship building, teamwork, excellent organizational skills, safety consciousness, high energy level, enthusiasm, action oriented personality, willingness to work a flexible schedule including occasional evenings and weekends and familiarity with, and a commitment to, the Deer Isle area.

 

To apply for this position: Send cover letter and résumé to Chair, chair@islandheritagetrust.org or to Island Heritage Trust, P.O. Box 42, Deer Isle, ME 04627. Deadline for application: September 1, 2020.