Montana Career Opportunity – Executive Director – Montana Water Trust

The Montana Water Trust (MWT) http://www.montanawatertrust.org is seeking an energetic individual with demonstrated leadership skills to serve as our second Executive Director. MWT is a private, nonprofit organization that works cooperatively with farmers, ranchers, and other landowners to develop incentive-based agreements that benefit landowners, streamflows, and communities.

Responsibilities

In Relations with Board, the Executive Director will:

1. Work closely with the Board President to plan board meeting agendas and to ensure each board member understands his or her role and to facilitate their active participation in helping MWT to achieve its mission;

2. Ensure the board understand its legal responsibilities and that the proper policies and plans are in place so that the board can properly fulfill those responsibilities;

3. Engage the board in strategic planning to determine MWT’s priorities for the next five years;

4. Work with the Board President to establish any necessary committees, such as fundraising, nomination, executive, or any other committee that will enable the board to operate more efficiently and effectively.

In Relations with Staff, the Executive Director will:

1. Be responsible for the recruitment, training, employment, and release of all personnel, both paid staff and volunteers;

2. Ensure that job descriptions are developed, that regular performance evaluations are held, and that sound human resource practices are in place;

3. Maintain a climate that attracts, keeps, and motivates a diverse staff of top quality people.

In Communications, the Executive Director will:

1. Establish and maintain sound working relationships with partner organizations, agencies, local and state politicians, community groups and others who can help MWT more effectively achieve its mission;

2. Present MWT’s program at conferences, community meetings, and other forums throughout Montana and the region;

3. Maintain relationships with the media and ensure MWT updates and implements a communication plan consistent with the strategic direction of MWT;

4. Work with communication specialists to develop and maintain high quality outreach materials, such as an annual report, newsletter, website and other materials designed to reach target audiences.

In Budget and Finance, the Executive Director will:

1. Work with MWT’s board treasurer to prepare an annual budget that will be submitted to the board of directors for comments and approval;

2. Work with MWT’s bookkeeper and accountant to ensure timely and proper filing of all financial related information and determine the appropriate time in which to conduct an audit;

3. Assess and bring to the attention of the Board areas in which financial systems could be improved, with the recommendation for action;

4. Supervise preparation of accurate and timely financial statements in accordance with Board needs as specified by the Treasurer;

5. Provide for cash flow management, projections and regular monitoring;

6. Assure prompt payment of all payroll taxes and preparation of year-end reports to all required governmental agencies.

In Fundraising, the Executive Director Will

1. Work with fundraising staff to develop a comprehensive fundraising plan that is consistent with MWT’s budget and work closely with the board and fundraising staff to implement the plan;

2. Meet regularly with foundation representatives, potential major donors, and other individuals necessary to developing relationships that will lead to grants and major gifts;

3. Modify the fundraising plan as needed throughout the year to ensure meeting fundraising goals.

In Program Management, the Executive Director will:

1. Work with the project manager and other project staff to develop project development strategies, a comprehensive monitoring plan for water quantity, quality, and biological and habitat responses, and ensure project staff have adequate resources to accomplish project goals;

2. Work with water resource specialist to ensure adequate support to process change applications, including legal assistance if necessary;

3. Ensure proper filing practices are in place for all project files;

4. Regularly visit project sites to become familiar with the realities of each project.

In Law and Policy, the Executive Director will:

1. Maintain relationship with the University of Montana School of Law to provide law students the opportunity to gain experience in the area of water law and to assist MWT with legal research for issues arises during the project development, implementation, and monitoring stages;

2. Ensure all contracts and other legal commitments are reviewed by an attorney prior to finalization;

3. Work with local and state politicians to develop potential legislative opportunities to create a more effective and efficient way to dedicate water to instream use;

4. Ensure legal mechanisms are in place to enforce water rights on all project streams.

In Risk management, the Executive Director will:

1. Identify and evaluate the risks to the organization’s people (clients, staff, management, volunteers), property, finances, goodwill, and image and implement measures to control risks;

2. Ensure that the Board of Directors and the organization carries appropriate and adequate insurance coverage; and

3. Ensure that the Board and staff understand the terms, conditions and limitations of the insurance coverage

Qualifications

The ideal candidate would possess the following:

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s Degree required, M.S., MBA or J.D. preferred. At least 3-5 years proven leadership experience in a comparable organization

Knowledge: Requires knowledge of state water law and policy, water management practices and methods (including irrigation practices), hydrology and fisheries. In addition, the executive director must possess the below abilities/skills, knowledge and qualities which may result from formal education or experience in business, non-profit operational and financial management, or related areas.

Abilities/Skills: The Executive Director should demonstrate competence in some or all of the following:

1. Adaptability: Demonstrate a willingness to be flexible, versatile and/or tolerant in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency.

2. Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and business practices, and ensure that own behavior and the behavior of others is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.

3. Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization.

4. Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.

5. Creativity/Innovation: Develop new and unique ways to improve operations of the organization and to create new opportunities.

6. Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.

7. Lead: Positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization.

8. Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization.

9. Organize: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data, information and activities

10. Plan: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results.

11. Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.

12. Think Strategically: Assesses options and actions based on trends and conditions in the environment, and the vision and values of the organization.

13. Personality: High level of energy, enthusiasm, and humor.

Compensation

1. Competitive salary, dependent on experience;

2. 3 weeks paid vacation and most federal holidays; and

3. Flexible, health spending account

Closing Date

March 1, 2008

To Apply

For immediate consideration, please submit a letter of interest and resume via e-mail to [email protected] and to Montana Water Trust, 140 South 4th St. West, Missoula, MT 59801.