Join our team!
Hiring for Executive Director
Executive Director Job Description
About TCLT
Trinidad Coastal Land Trust (TCLT) owns and manages 11 properties and 16 conservation easements, providing public access to the Trinidad Coast while protecting the natural beauty of the area. In addition to land conservation, TCLT sponsors numerous outreach activities to engage our community, such as monitoring seabirds and pinnipeds, leading stewardship workdays, guiding educational walks, and engaging with local artists.
Job Summary
Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director (ED) serves as the lead executive of the organization, responsible for the implementation of TCLT’s Strategic Plan and consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives. In collaboration with staff, the board of trustees, and committees, the ED works to ensure fiscal and organizational best management practices are followed as outlined in the Land Trust Alliance’s Standards and Practices, which have been adopted by TCLT. These standards provide ethical and technical guidelines for organizational operations. The ED provides updates to the board on organizational activities at monthly board meetings, coordinates with select committees as necessary, and directly manages staff.
CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Outreach and Fund Development 50%
- Produce and implement annual Fundraising Plans in support of the TCLT Strategic Plan and incorporate a variety of strategies, including annual giving, special events, personal solicitations, and grants.
- Engage the board, committee members, and staff in the implementation of the fundraising plan.
- Lead and/or coordinate fundraising strategies, including grant writing, major donor cultivation, hosting fundraising and outreach events, and the promotion of planned giving.
- Support membership drives with an annual newsletter and an appeal letter.
- Identify and present grants that support strategic goals to the board for authorization to apply. Lead grant proposal development and submission.
- Manage existing grants, leading or coordinating all required compliance, amendments, communications, meetings, and events, completing required reports, and submitting invoices/requests for disbursement (RFDs) on a timely basis.
- Pursue funding for priority acquisitions, stewardship, and education projects consistent with strategic plan goals.
- Ensure that educational programs and outreach materials keep the community connected to TCLT’s work and advance community understanding of and involvement in the mission of TCLT.
- Serve as public spokesperson and primary contact for project partners, press, and donors.
- Represent TCLT in regional forums, committees, and community events.
- Lead public communication strategies (press releases, newsletters, website, and social media).
- Maintain relationships with key partners: City of Trinidad, local tribes and rancherias, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the California Coastal Commission (CCC), the State Coastal Conservancy (SCC), Humboldt County and local collaborators.
Administration and Organizational Management (25%)
- Oversee annual planning and periodic Strategic Plan updates.
- Ensure adherence to the Strategic Plan.
- Ensure that annual budget and work plans are produced, board-approved, and implemented through best management practices and policies.
- Working in collaboration with the Board Treasurer and bookkeeper, ensure that insurance is up to date, policy coverage amounts are adequate, annual tax returns are filed, restricted funds are tracked, and monthly financial reports are provided to the board.
- Ensure compliance with nonprofit reporting and insurance obligations.
- Monitor expenses against deliverables and flag discrepancies early.
- Prepare board meeting packets, including agendas, reports, and timely updates; ensure that minutes are taken and posted.
- Ensure racial, gender, age, and economic diversity throughout TCLT’s culture, programs, policies, and operations.
- Supervise staff and provide annual employee reviews.
- Together with the board, plan for and implement the TCLT Annual Meeting.
- Support all board committees and request ad hoc committee formation as needed.
- Other duties as assigned by the board.
- Supervise and support project and program management staff, ensuring that projects are tracked, reported on, kept within budget, and that stewardship and program objectives are met.
- Work with landowners, agencies, and the public on property issues, safety, and land use.
- Facilitate the California Coastal National Monument Gateway group and represent TCLT at meetings and on committees relating to the CA Coastal National Monument and trails development and maintenance in TCLT’s sphere of operations.
- Serve as project manager and/or oversee project managers and contractors to implement public access projects.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum qualifications
Must possess a combination of education, experience, skills, and abilities necessary to carry out the duties of the position, including the following:
- Strong leadership and organization skills with attention to detail.
- Well-developed interpersonal skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively with members of the staff, the board of trustees, collaborating partners, and the general public.
- Results-driven, self-motivated, and proven ability to meet deadlines.
- Excellent writing, word processing, data processing, and social media skills, including proficiency with Google Workspace, Quickbooks (basic), Microsoft Office applications (including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel), and donor/customer relationship management (CRM) tools.
- Responsibility for website management.
- Minimum education: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent.
Preferred qualifications
- Minimum of 3 years in a leadership position in a non-profit, including proven success in fundraising, community engagement, event planning, and staff supervision.
- Prior experience working with a nonprofit board and demonstrable understanding of board governance and decision-making.
- Experience working in land conservation, stewardship, or environmental non-profit management.
- Education: Master’s, PhD Degree, or equivalent.
- Experience working with diverse populations, including Indigenous communities.
- 40 hours per week
- Work schedule is typically Monday to Friday, with flexibility to accommodate evening and weekend projects, meetings, and events
- A valid driver’s license is required.
- Starting salary: $80,000 - $90,000 DOE
- Benefits include: PTO, Sick time, Paid Holidays, and Health Insurance allowance
Please send resume and cover letter with current references to Executive Director Recruitment Committee, P.O. Box 457, Trinidad, CA 95570. Or email to [email protected].