Executive Director for an Environmental Nonprofit
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Job Opportunity in Bellingham, WA
Lead a Popular Local Nonprofit in its Next Chapter of Success
Organization: Whatcom Million Trees Project
Key Facts About This Opportunity
● 32 hours/week on average
● $66,000-$73,000 annual salary, depending on experience
● Located in Bellingham, WA
● Applications due by December 1, 2024
Overview
Join Whatcom Million Trees Project (WMTP) to lead an impactful environmental nonprofit focused on tree protection, planting, and community connection in Whatcom County, WA. As Executive Director, you will guide WMTP through its next phase of success, helping to protect our region's natural resources, enhance climate resilience, and foster a healthier environment for future generations.
In this role, you will have the opportunity to:
• Lead with Purpose: Make a tangible, long-term difference in local climate action through tree planting, protection, and advocacy.
• Shape the Future: Drive strategic growth for an innovative, popular nonprofit, helping WMTP expand its positive influence on both urban and rural landscapes.
• Empower Community: Engage with passionate volunteers, stakeholders, and community leaders to inspire collaboration and collective action for greater environmental resilience.
• Enjoy Flexible Work-Life Balance: Enjoy a 32 hours/week position that offers a competitive salary and flexible work hours.
• Live in An Outdoor Enthusiast's Dream: Work in Bellingham and Whatcom County, Washington—an area known for its stunning natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and vibrant community.
About Whatcom Million Trees Project
Whatcom Million Trees Project was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2021. Its mission is to spur positive action for trees and forests within Whatcom County to enhance our community's health, livability, equity, and resilience in an era of rapid climate change and biodiversity and habitat loss.
WMTP has a three-pronged strategy to accomplish its mission:
-- PLANT the right native trees in the right places -- in public-purposed lands (rural or urban) as well as private parcels such as in low-canopy urban neighborhoods.
-- PROTECT mature trees via policy improvements, development advocacy, awareness building, and the removal of tree-killing invasive species.
-- CONNECT people in positive action via hands-on volunteer work parties and at special events that highlight the value of trees/forests and build engagement, hope, and empowerment.
Much progress has already occurred. WMTP has 500+ volunteers on call for work parties, creating 17,000+ hours of positive engagement since its founding. To date, WMTP has planted 2,700+ trees and protected 320,000+ trees in Whatcom County. WMTP anticipates reaching the 500,000 trees threshold of local impact in the coming months.
Key Responsibilities
To successfully lead this small, young non-profit, you will need to wear multiple hats:
● Strategic Planning & Vision. Provide visionary leadership to guide WMTP's evolution while building upon prior successes. Lead the development and execution of WMTP’s long-term strategic plan, aligning organizational goals with the mission to protect and plant trees for community resilience. Provide visionary leadership in collaboration with the board, staff, and key stakeholders to guide WMTP’s growth and adapt to emerging environmental and community needs.
● Public Leader/Spokesperson. Inspire residents, project partners, local media, community leaders, and stakeholders at public events and private meetings to build and maintain relationships.
● Team Supporter/Guide. Provide effective, cohesive support to staff and volunteers via Slack, Google Meet, and other tools to promote professional development and empower others to excel in their roles. Effectively supervise, manage, and support the team, such as our Operations Manager and our Planting Coordinator, by fostering autonomy and encouraging continuous improvement.
● Development & Fundraising. Lead WMTP’s grant writing efforts, develop and implement a fundraising strategy, cultivate relationships with donors, and manage grant compliance.
● Program/Project Manager. Directly manage projects and initiatives (e.g., ivy removal efforts and neighborhood tree giveaways). Provide high-level support and feedback to our dedicated Planting Coordinator. Cultivate relationships with partners to continue and expand tree planting projects.
● Administration. Maintain WMTP's financial health, accountability, and sustainability via budget planning and risk management in consultation with the Board of Directors, as well as other administrative actions such as tracking time, revenue, and expenditures, reviewing contracts and insurance policies, coordinating with WMTP's bookkeeper and accountant, and completing documentation necessary to maintain 501(c)(3) status.
WMTP's many advocacy efforts will continue to be led by Board members. Advocacy will therefore not be a responsibility of the new Executive Director at this time.
Note that WMTP’s near-full-time Operations Manager maintains regular day-to-day communications with volunteers, interns, and work party partners, as well as external communications such as social media posting and email newsletters. The Operations Manager also assists with administrative paperwork and grants. WMTP also has several core volunteers who help organize and support its work parties and events.
Preferred Experience & Skills
WMTP’s ideal candidate has a deep passion for trees in addition to the following:
● Proven leadership experience in a nonprofit, public, or private sector role with responsibility for organizational growth, strategy, and team management.
● Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with agencies, environmental organizations, neighborhood associations, businesses, and volunteers.
● Outstanding ability to inspire, motivate, mentor, and lead staff and volunteers with curiosity, humility, and openness, to foster a positive workplace culture.
● Proven track record developing and vetting project opportunities as well as managing operations, budgeting, and financial oversight.
● Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with staff, volunteers, and diverse stakeholders across the region.
● Demonstrated experience in leading groups towards a common goal and elevating the profile of an organization to promote greater community engagement.
● Compelling public speaker and effective advocate for WMTP’s mission and vision.
● Superb writing and communication skills with experience using multiple communication tools.
● Experience developing fundraising plans and writing grants as well as cultivating and soliciting individual, business, and institutional donors.
Compensation & Benefits
This 0.8-time (32 hours/week average) position has an annual compensation range of $66,000-$73,000, depending on experience. This position includes paid time off (vacation and sick leave) equivalent to 15 days per year and 12 paid holiday days per year. Additional healthcare benefits are not currently offered.
The position is remote with a flexible work schedule. Weekend and evening work hours (e.g., attending a morning or afternoon work party or evening film event) are sometimes necessary but can be flexed with weekday hours.
Location
Whatcom Million Trees Project is based in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal city of ~100,000 residents nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Salish Sea. The area offers amazing natural beauty and a wide array of outdoor recreation opportunities. With a thriving arts and culture scene, excellent schools, and strong sense of community, Bellingham and surrounds provide a variety of living options, from urban to rural, and offers an exceptional quality of life for those seeking to balance professional growth and personal well-being.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Whatcom Million Trees Project is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where all employees and applicants are treated with respect and dignity. WMTP is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. WMTP believes that a diverse team strengthens our organization and our mission, and encourages individuals from underrepresented communities to apply.
How to Apply
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@whatcommilliontrees.org. Only applications submitted via email will be accepted.
Application review will begin December 1, 2024. Receipt of submitted applications will be acknowledged via a brief auto-email. Interviews will take place beginning in mid-December.
Please contact michael@whatcommilliontrees.org if you have questions. To learn more about WMTP, please visit https://whatcommilliontrees.org/. Thank you!