August 21, 2015
Californians for Pesticide Reform (CPR) is seeking a motivated, independent and committed staff person to join our team and provide key leadership with strategic vision and coordination of coalition activities.
CPR is a dynamic statewide coalition founded in 1996 to protect public health, improve environmental quality, and advance a sustainable and just agricultural system by building a diverse statewide movement to change local and statewide pesticide policies and practices. The coalition is deeply committed to environmental health and justice. With over 190 member organizations statewide, CPR’s collaborative model, diversity of strategies and strong grassroots participation have allowed us to achieve great gains in environment- and health-protective pesticide practices and policies in California.
Executive Director Job Description
The Director is the chief executive officer of Californians for Pesticide Reform, bringing strategic vision and leadership to pesticide, agriculture and environmental justice issues. The Director is responsible for leading strategic coalition development, including long-term program strategy and resource development. The Director is responsible for leading staff and coalition members with vision and attention to CPR’s theory of change and coalition values, and ensuring effective coalition strategy, funding, structure and culture.
Since CPR is a coalition, the Executive Director position requires a person with a unique set of skills (additional to those required for a chief executive of an organization), including the ability and patience to coordinate activities across multiple organizations ranging from small community-based groups to large environmental organizations and labor unions, and the ability to foster and maintain trust and relationships among coalition member organizations.
Specific Responsibilities
The Director’s responsibility, accountability and authority include:
Financial Management
Oversee development and management of the coalition budget and finances, in conjunction with the Treasurer and Steering Committee;
Review monthly financial updates; and
Oversee disbursement of allocations to member groups.
Fundraising
Serve, with leaders of coalition member organizations, as CPR’s public face with funders;
Bottom-line CPR’s foundation fundraising, engaging in development strategy, planning and evaluation;
Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with funders; and
Working with staff and coalition members, develop fundraising proposals and complete reports.
Governance
Work with Steering Committee and Executive Committee leadership across the coalition to drive and coordinate program and resource development strategy and implementation, and to develop and oversee an effective management structure;
Report to and support the Steering Committee and Executive Committee; and
Coordinate Steering Committee and Executive Committee meetings.
Personnel & Supervision
Manage and supervise staff, including hiring and firing as needed, in consultation with the Pesticide Action Network;
Create a strong team work environment; and
Facilitate staff development.
Program
Oversee development and implementation of CPR’s strategic plan;
With CPR staff, support the work of coalition task forces; and
Help represent the coalition in policy venues and lobbying.
Qualifications
Commitment to the mission of CPR and environmental health and justice, broadly.
At least five years, preferably more, of experience working in an advocacy-based non-profit organization or coalition, ideally with at least three years experience in a program director or executive leadership role.
Prior experience working in some combination of the areas of environmental health, environmental justice, sustainable agriculture, policy advocacy and/or community organizing. Knowledge about pesticides and agricultural systems a plus.
Experience managing organizational and campaign budgets.
Experience meeting grant fundraising goals, ideally with significant experience in foundation-based fundraising.
Strong leadership skills in coordination and staff supervising.
Proven project management skills, including being highly organized, strong ability to oversee multiple projects, demonstrated attention to detail and excellent time management skills.
Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in Word, Salesforce and Excel or similar applications. Willingness to master
new programs essential.
Fluency in Spanish preferred.
Superior English writing skills.
Experience working as part of a coalition and/or multi-organization collaboration preferred.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a collaborative spirit, including demonstrated ability to work in close cooperation with a team and to take independent initiative; we require a skilled and motivated self-starter and someone with a good sense of humor.
Willingness to travel frequently across California, most often to the Central Valley, Central Coast and Sacramento; current driver’s license and insurability.
CPR proactively seeks candidates with a diversity of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, people of color and people fluent in Spanish.
Location: This position is ideally based in Oakland, CA, but other locations considered (e.g., Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Joaquin Valley).
Employment, supervision, support and reporting: The Director is employed by Pesticide Action Network, CPR’s fiscal sponsor and member of the Steering Committee, reports to CPR’s Executive and Steering Committees, and supervises at least two staff. Pesticide Action Network provides office management, finance, IT and other infrastructure for CPR; the Director has no clerical support.
Start date: Open until filled.
Salary: Salary dependent on experience. Excellent benefits, including full health and dental insurance, generous paid vacation and sick time, retirement contributions and others.
For more information about Californians for Pesticide Reform, see www.PesticideReform.org.
How to apply
Send applications by e-mail with “Executive Director position” in the subject line to jobs@pesticidereform.org. Complete applications include a cover letter, resume with salary history, and short writing sample. Applications should be complete and emailed directly by candidates; applications sent via an intermediary website and incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible; first selection of candidates for interview will be made by September 11, 2015. If invited for an interview, the candidate must also supply names and contact information of three references.