EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Benzie Conservation District
Executive Director

Position Description
DATE PREPARED:September 8, 2022
POSITION IDENTIFICATION
ExecutiveDirector; full-time(36-40hoursperweek); Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) exempt
ORGANIZATION SUMMARY
The Benzie Conservation District (BCD) is a governmental entity that connects the community to naturethrough
educationand conservation. A description of Michigan Conservation Districts can be found atwww.macd.org.The
BCD'smission is to "preserve and enhance the natural resources of Benzie County."Our conservation workis
focusedon keeping our local natural resourceshealthy and empowering the community to becomeactive
conservationstewards. The work includes conservation of the three main watersheds of our county,agricultural
conservationthrough the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) program, arobust
AquaticInvasive Species program, a strong forestry assistance program and nature education. We are basedin
downtownBeulah on Crystal Lake. Primary nature educationis geared towardcitizens of all ages with a multitude
of year-round learning opportunities.
The annual budget for the BCD is approximately $400 to 450 thousand dollars, a sizable portion of whichis
grantmoney to be supervised. The voters of Benzie County recently passed (August, 2022) a millageto
provideadditional funding to the BCD in the amount of approximately $180,000 annually for the nexteight
years.
For more information on the BCD, we invite you to visit our website at:www.benziecd.org
POSITION SUMMARY
The Executive Directorisresponsibleforthe consistent achievement of the BCD's mission,strategies,
policies, programs,businessoperations and financial objectives as well as its contribution toconservation
locallyandintheregion.
He/shewill be a strategic thinker,leader,fundraiser, and charismaticfacilitatorwhoisable to work withpublic
andprivate partners to be aleadconservation organization inBenzie and surrounding areas. Working withthe
BCD'sBoard ofDirectors, theExecutive Director evaluates all organizational plans, programs, activities,and
procedureswithregard totheir plannedpurpose,sustainability, andimpactontheorganizationand
community.
RELATIONSHIPS
Reports to: Board ofDirectors
Supervises:All Staff
Works with: Communications & Administrative Coordinator, Conservation Specialist,Aquatic
InvasiveSpecies Coordinator, Development Coordinator, Natural Resource ConservationService
(NRCS) District Conservationist, Michigan Agricultural & Environmental Assurance Program
(MAEAP) Technician, District Forester, Seasonal Workers,BoardMembers andVolunteers
ExternalStakeholders: Media, Vendors, Volunteers,Donors, Government Entities, Nonprofits,
LocalBusinesses, andFoundations

RESPONSIBILITIESAND DUTIES
Leadership
• Develop andmanagea strategic business planthatensures thelong-term financial healthand
sustainability oftheBCD. This will include long-range budgeting andsupervision ofthe
funds provided by the recently-passed millage.
• Provide leadership for staff andvolunteersthatbuildsand supports acohesiveteam working towardthe
goalsof the current strategic plan
• Foster an environment of collaboration andcommunityamongthe staff tomaximize resources (human
capitaland financial resources)thatsupportsachievementoforganization'sgoals andprovides
opportunitiesfor staffgoal-settingand development
• Raisecommunityprofile of the BCD tosupportdevelopment efforts and encouragecommunitysupportand
useoftheorganization's services and the properties it manages
• Managecollaborative relationshipswithexisting partners and initiatives whiledeveloping newstrategic
partnerships
• Serve as BCD'sspokesperson, clearlyandconsistentlycommunicating and reinforcingthe
organization'sidentity and goals
FundDevelopment
• Work closely with the Development Coordinator in helping to manage fundraising ofmajor giftstosupportthe
BCD's annual operations and programs
• Assist in leading the development of an annual funding plan and oversee itsimplementation
• Guide staff in writing or actually writing grants that will support operations
Management
• Hire and manage a staff of(currently)4 full-time, 1 part-time, 4 seasonal,andapproximately
50volunteers,providing coaching/mentoring and support as needed
• Oversee all operational aspects of the BCD's facilities, budgets,workplans and programs
• Understand and be able to navigate the state laws governing conservation districts;
understand the BCD's relationship withother state and local governmental units
• Oversee all aspects of the BCD's human resource functions
MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE
Success is measured by the degree towhichthe Executive Director:
• Maintains and grows effective,productive, andcollaborative workingrelationshipswithBCDstaffand
Board, donors,volunteers, partners andexternalstakeholders
• Meets or exceeds all fundraisinganddevelopmentgoals andadherestothe Association forFinancial
Professionals(AFP) "Codeof Ethical Principles and Standards" andstate andfederal laws andregulations
indoingso
• Meetsall operational andprogram development goals asestablished with the Board
• Meets all assigneddeadlines
• Leverages andconsolidatesthe conservationand educational resources ofthe BCD to
furtherenvironmentalstewardship onthe partoftheresidents ofthe Benzie area

WORKINGCONDITIONS
The primaryworkplace is in ahome-likeofficesetting at the BCD'sofficein downtown Beulah.The
ExecutiveDirectorwill also attendmeetings,conferencesandotherevents in the Benzie areaand
Michiganat large. Occasionally, some of theforegoing events willbeheldin outdoor settingsmanaged
bythe BCD, soabilityto traverse uneven ground is required.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
• A minimumoffive (5)years of leadership experience in a non-profit, educational,or governmental
organization, preferablyinenvironmentalstewardshipor related field
• Strong management skills,able to build,inspire and lead diverseteamsofstaffandvolunteers
• Financial: Ability to manage a sizeable and complex budget, with experience in fund accounting,
grant writing and supervision
• Positive,collaborativeleaderwithacan-do attitudeand tolerant,friendlypersonality
• Resourceful individual,able to balancemultiplepriorities, complexsituationsand meet tight deadlines
• Anorganized,clear thinkerand communicator with a passion for education
• An articulate andpersuasive speakerandwriter
• A passion for conservationandnatural resources
• An understandingof andcommitmenttothe BenzieConservation District's mission •
Abilityand willingnessto travel, aswellas towork outsidethenormal workday
FormalEducation orEquivalent:Bachelor'sdegree orhigher in government, nonprofit
management, natural resource managementor related field.
COMPENSATION
• Salary will be based on qualifications and will range from $50,000 to $60,000 per year.
Benefits include paid federal holidays, vacation and sick leave and ahealthcare stipend
range from $5,000 to $5,500 per year and contributions to retirement fund
• Personal vehicle use will be reimbursed at the State of Michigan mileage rate
To Apply
• Position is open until filled. Please provide a cover letter, resume and three
references by October 19th, 2022. Please state in the subject line: ExecutiveDirector
Application
CONTACT PERSONS:The Benzie Conservation District Board of Directors
CONTACT EMAIL:benziecd@benziecd.org
Benzie Conservation District is an equalopportunity employer andwill not discriminate in employment,
promotions,or compensation on the basis of race,sex, color,religion, national origin or ancestry,age,marita

status, disability status, protectedveteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, orany
othercharacteristic protected by federal, state or local laws