Executive Director of Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center
Goshen College, Goshen, Indiana, United States, 46528
Goshen College is a Christian liberal arts institution that prepares students to thrive in life, leadership and service. We strive to model an inclusive community committed to transformative justice, peace, and sustainability. A respect and appreciation of the Anabaptist- Mennonite faith perspective and practices, and a commitment to the mission, vision, core values and community standards of Goshen College, are important for teaching and administrative faculty members.
Position Summary: The Executive Director guides the development of educational and public programming, takes leadership for collaborative strategic planning, budget preparation, long-range financial planning, and master planning at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center. The Executive Director leads the advancement work for Merry Lea by pursuing diverse funding opportunities, in coordination with Goshen College Advancement and Grants Office. The Executive Director is responsible for the staffing and personnel of Merry Lea and to create a positive work environment. The Executive Director is Merry Lea’s representative in campus affairs, community relations, and promotion of the center and its programs within the campus community, the faith community, and nationally. The Executive Director reports regularly to the Merry Lea Board of Trustees and is supervised by Goshen College’s Vice President for Academic Affairs. Depending on academic qualifications, the Executive Director may be considered for a faculty appointment in the Goshen College Biology Department.
Essential Functions: (Core Job Responsibilities)
Administrative responsibilities:
Lead the planning and programming for Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center based on the mission statement and congruent with the mission of Goshen College.
Provide leadership for faculty and staff of Merry Lea, including professional development planning and coordinating annual evaluations for all staff.
Provide supervision for all team members, with direct supervision of directors and administrative personnel.
Lead the preparation of the annual budget for Merry Lea, including income, operations, capital expenditures and development.
Serve as ex-officio member of the Merry Lea Board of Trustees and the Rieth Foundation Trust Advisory Committee. Prepare agenda, materials and minutes for these meetings in collaboration with the board chair.
Monitor the established annual budget including coordination with Goshen College Office of Finance and Merry Lea Board of Trustees.
Gather programmatic data and prepare regular reports for Goshen College and the Merry Lea Board of Trustees, including an annual report to the VPAA.
Coordinate vendors that provide service to Merry Lea.
Oversee public information releases such as press releases, newsletters and website updates.
Advancement:
Promote the interests of Merry Lea to local, regional and national audiences at professional meetings, donor functions and other venues for constituents.
Coordinate with the Vice President of Advancement at Goshen College donor initiatives and capital projects.
Coordinate with the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Director of Grants regarding grant proposals and awards.
Coordinate with the Merry Lea Board to provide leadership for capital campaigns and other fund-raising activities, both planning and execution.
Contact major donors for the Merry Lea annual fund and capital fund.
Assist with planning and implementation of Merry Lea donor events.
Represent Merry Lea on relevant boards and committees.
Work closely with the Biology department chair to provide coordination of academic processes with Goshen College, supporting academic innovations, research and teaching at Merry Lea.
Promote Merry Lea’s academic interest with the campus community through supporting faculty in collaborative teaching, service and research.
Assist other Goshen College departments with planning for use of Merry Lea’s facilities or instructors.
Develop partnerships and articulation agreements with other colleges and institutions who are interested in having students and researchers participate in programing at Merry Lea.
Assist with recruiting faculty and staff for the programs at Merry Lea.
Work closely with academic enrollment leaders of Goshen College to set, monitor and attain enrollment goals for each academic program.
Supervisory Responsibility: The executive director provides direct supervision for:
Office Manager
Associate Director of Communications and Marketing
Director of Environmental Education and Outreach
Managing Director (25-50% effort)
Indirect supervision is provided for all Merry Lea employees who report to the directors listed above.
Education and Experience: Required Qualifications
Master’s degree in a field related to environmental education
Five years of work experience as an executive director in a non-profit setting
Preferred qualifications:
Doctoral degree and interest in teaching undergraduate and graduate students, which could include an academic appointment according to the guidelines of Goshen College
Prior experience in an educational settingRecord of successful fundraising
Certifications, Licenses, Registrations:
Valid driver’s license
Skills and Competencies: Required:
A high level of written and oral communication skills;
Ability to coordinate and organize a variety of areas for long term success
Adequate computer and financial skills (word processing, database management, spreadsheets) to manage multiple documents and budgets;
Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of people, including faculty, staff, visitors, donors and administrators;
A record of successful management of a non-profit organization; and
Familiarity with recent and emerging trends in environmental education.
Preferred:
Prior experience working directly with students in environmental education at any age level
Special Requirements:
Regular attendance at the Merry Lea property
Meeting attendance on the Goshen campus is expected
Some evening and weekend work will be required due to the nature of community and academic programing at Merry Lea
Physical Demands:
Ability to lift light loads (up to 25 pounds)
Prolonged sitting and use of a computer and keyboard
Ability to complete primary tasks by viewing computer screen(s) for the majority of any given work day (extensive use of computer technology)
Considerable phone use and operation of copier and other standard office equipment
Ability to navigate uneven terrain outdoors
Work Environment/Environmental Conditions:
Most work will take place in a standard indoor office environment
Work includes significant walking and standing outdoors in the natural environment and on the farm
Graduate and undergraduate transcripts (copies acceptable in application process with official transcripts required for employment)
E-Verify Statement of Participation Goshen College participates in E-Verify. If you are hired, we will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement Goshen College is an equal opportunity employer, committed to enhancing diversity across the institution. Goshen College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or any legally protected status. As a religious institution, Goshen College expressly reserves its rights, its understandings of, and its commitments to the historic Anabaptist identity and the teachings of Mennonite Church USA, and reserves the legal right to hire and employ individuals who support the values of the college. To protect the welfare and provide for the safety of the students, employees, visitors, and resources of Goshen College, background checks are conducted by the Office of Human Resources on all new and re-hired employees.
About Goshen College Goshen College is a nationally-ranked college and Hispanic-Serving Institution in Indiana renowned for its distinctive hands‑on, real‑world educational opportunities, and its commitment to creating positive change in the community and the world. The college offers over 65 undergraduate areas of study; as well as best‑in‑class graduate programs in nursing, business administration, social work and environmental education. This caring, safe and diverse campus prides itself on providing excellent academic programs that connect arts with sciences, and theory with practice — exposing students to multiple perspectives and encouraging them to think deeply, live creatively and lead purposefully. The college is located in the City of Goshen in the heart of Elkhart County, within several hours of Chicago, Indianapolis and Detroit. Residents of Goshen enjoy a culturally diverse small‑town atmosphere with an active arts community, a vibrant and entrepreneurial downtown, the Maple City Greenway network of bicycle paths and affordable housing prices. Learn more atgoodofgoshen.com.
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Position Summary: The Executive Director guides the development of educational and public programming, takes leadership for collaborative strategic planning, budget preparation, long-range financial planning, and master planning at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center. The Executive Director leads the advancement work for Merry Lea by pursuing diverse funding opportunities, in coordination with Goshen College Advancement and Grants Office. The Executive Director is responsible for the staffing and personnel of Merry Lea and to create a positive work environment. The Executive Director is Merry Lea’s representative in campus affairs, community relations, and promotion of the center and its programs within the campus community, the faith community, and nationally. The Executive Director reports regularly to the Merry Lea Board of Trustees and is supervised by Goshen College’s Vice President for Academic Affairs. Depending on academic qualifications, the Executive Director may be considered for a faculty appointment in the Goshen College Biology Department.
Essential Functions: (Core Job Responsibilities)
Administrative responsibilities:
Lead the planning and programming for Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center based on the mission statement and congruent with the mission of Goshen College.
Provide leadership for faculty and staff of Merry Lea, including professional development planning and coordinating annual evaluations for all staff.
Provide supervision for all team members, with direct supervision of directors and administrative personnel.
Lead the preparation of the annual budget for Merry Lea, including income, operations, capital expenditures and development.
Serve as ex-officio member of the Merry Lea Board of Trustees and the Rieth Foundation Trust Advisory Committee. Prepare agenda, materials and minutes for these meetings in collaboration with the board chair.
Monitor the established annual budget including coordination with Goshen College Office of Finance and Merry Lea Board of Trustees.
Gather programmatic data and prepare regular reports for Goshen College and the Merry Lea Board of Trustees, including an annual report to the VPAA.
Coordinate vendors that provide service to Merry Lea.
Oversee public information releases such as press releases, newsletters and website updates.
Advancement:
Promote the interests of Merry Lea to local, regional and national audiences at professional meetings, donor functions and other venues for constituents.
Coordinate with the Vice President of Advancement at Goshen College donor initiatives and capital projects.
Coordinate with the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Director of Grants regarding grant proposals and awards.
Coordinate with the Merry Lea Board to provide leadership for capital campaigns and other fund-raising activities, both planning and execution.
Contact major donors for the Merry Lea annual fund and capital fund.
Assist with planning and implementation of Merry Lea donor events.
Represent Merry Lea on relevant boards and committees.
Work closely with the Biology department chair to provide coordination of academic processes with Goshen College, supporting academic innovations, research and teaching at Merry Lea.
Promote Merry Lea’s academic interest with the campus community through supporting faculty in collaborative teaching, service and research.
Assist other Goshen College departments with planning for use of Merry Lea’s facilities or instructors.
Develop partnerships and articulation agreements with other colleges and institutions who are interested in having students and researchers participate in programing at Merry Lea.
Assist with recruiting faculty and staff for the programs at Merry Lea.
Work closely with academic enrollment leaders of Goshen College to set, monitor and attain enrollment goals for each academic program.
Supervisory Responsibility: The executive director provides direct supervision for:
Office Manager
Associate Director of Communications and Marketing
Director of Environmental Education and Outreach
Managing Director (25-50% effort)
Indirect supervision is provided for all Merry Lea employees who report to the directors listed above.
Education and Experience: Required Qualifications
Master’s degree in a field related to environmental education
Five years of work experience as an executive director in a non-profit setting
Preferred qualifications:
Doctoral degree and interest in teaching undergraduate and graduate students, which could include an academic appointment according to the guidelines of Goshen College
Prior experience in an educational settingRecord of successful fundraising
Certifications, Licenses, Registrations:
Valid driver’s license
Skills and Competencies: Required:
A high level of written and oral communication skills;
Ability to coordinate and organize a variety of areas for long term success
Adequate computer and financial skills (word processing, database management, spreadsheets) to manage multiple documents and budgets;
Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of people, including faculty, staff, visitors, donors and administrators;
A record of successful management of a non-profit organization; and
Familiarity with recent and emerging trends in environmental education.
Preferred:
Prior experience working directly with students in environmental education at any age level
Special Requirements:
Regular attendance at the Merry Lea property
Meeting attendance on the Goshen campus is expected
Some evening and weekend work will be required due to the nature of community and academic programing at Merry Lea
Physical Demands:
Ability to lift light loads (up to 25 pounds)
Prolonged sitting and use of a computer and keyboard
Ability to complete primary tasks by viewing computer screen(s) for the majority of any given work day (extensive use of computer technology)
Considerable phone use and operation of copier and other standard office equipment
Ability to navigate uneven terrain outdoors
Work Environment/Environmental Conditions:
Most work will take place in a standard indoor office environment
Work includes significant walking and standing outdoors in the natural environment and on the farm
Graduate and undergraduate transcripts (copies acceptable in application process with official transcripts required for employment)
E-Verify Statement of Participation Goshen College participates in E-Verify. If you are hired, we will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement Goshen College is an equal opportunity employer, committed to enhancing diversity across the institution. Goshen College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or any legally protected status. As a religious institution, Goshen College expressly reserves its rights, its understandings of, and its commitments to the historic Anabaptist identity and the teachings of Mennonite Church USA, and reserves the legal right to hire and employ individuals who support the values of the college. To protect the welfare and provide for the safety of the students, employees, visitors, and resources of Goshen College, background checks are conducted by the Office of Human Resources on all new and re-hired employees.
About Goshen College Goshen College is a nationally-ranked college and Hispanic-Serving Institution in Indiana renowned for its distinctive hands‑on, real‑world educational opportunities, and its commitment to creating positive change in the community and the world. The college offers over 65 undergraduate areas of study; as well as best‑in‑class graduate programs in nursing, business administration, social work and environmental education. This caring, safe and diverse campus prides itself on providing excellent academic programs that connect arts with sciences, and theory with practice — exposing students to multiple perspectives and encouraging them to think deeply, live creatively and lead purposefully. The college is located in the City of Goshen in the heart of Elkhart County, within several hours of Chicago, Indianapolis and Detroit. Residents of Goshen enjoy a culturally diverse small‑town atmosphere with an active arts community, a vibrant and entrepreneurial downtown, the Maple City Greenway network of bicycle paths and affordable housing prices. Learn more atgoodofgoshen.com.
#J-18808-Ljbffr