Executive Director, Narragansett Bay Estuary Program - Roger Williams University

Job Description:

Reporting to the Associate Provost for Global and Community Engagement, the Executive Director of the Narragansett Bay Estuary Program (NBEP) is responsible for leading and ensuring the efficient and fiscally responsible operation of the Program. The Executive Director provides overall program leadership, coordination, administration, and planning in cooperation with the EPA Project Officer, NBEP committees, associated subcommittees, and other staff.

Program Leadership

• Provide vision and strategic direction and leadership to the NBEP program staff and partners in the implementation of the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) and other program activities ensuring annual workplan commitments are met across the Narragansett Bay Region (including the Narragansett Bay, Coastal Ponds, and Little Narragansett Bay, and their watersheds).

• Ensure NBEP's structure and activities reflect the tri-state nature of the watershed and employ, engage and support partners that seek cross-boundary, cooperative solutions that recognize the natural world as overlaid by society's defining borders.

• Promote a holistic, community-based approach to restoration and protection of the Narragansett Bay Region, recognizing its environmental, economic, and social/cultural significance, and bringing together various constituencies to work effectively towards a shared vision.

• Work collaboratively with RWU staff and NBEP committees on development of annual Clean Water Act Section 320 work plan and budget for review/approval by NBEP Executive Committee and Steering Committee.

• Develop new funding sources from public and private sectors while maintaining existing sources and meeting requirements stated in the various grants awarded to RWU on behalf of NBEP, as permitted by RWU and EPA policy. Track and respond to performance against CCMP, work plan, and staff level goals.

• Develop and lead implementation of a communications strategy for advancing NBEP's mission.

• Attend national and regional meetings organized by EPA and participate, as appropriate, in additional meetings and conferences that support the mission of the NBEP.

• Facilitate Sound Science to Protect and Restore Clean Water and Coastal and Riparian Habitat.

• Play a strong role in synthesis of scientific information concerning bay and watershed water quality change and related indicators, including development, dissemination, and updating of a periodic Status and Trends Report.

• Work with partners to identify information needs; to acquire, interpret, and disseminate data to support informed, science-based decision-making; and to keep the public and policymakers informed about bay and watershed conditions and issues.

• Support monitoring and adaptive management to track progress and maximize achievement of goals in the region.

Develop, Strengthen, and Maintain Effective Partnerships

• Stimulate discussion on bay and watershed issues and enhance knowledge and skills to address them through convening technical transfer, capacity building, and development and strengthening of partnerships.

• Provide support and technical assistance to the NBEP partners, various agencies, and regional staff working toward implementation of the CCMP and related regional goals. This includes support of the development of innovative management approaches and creative technologies and solutions on priority issues; participation in organizing meetings and conferences; and taking a lead role to promote paired environmental and socioeconomic health and equity.

Program Management

• Oversee development of proposals, solicitations, agreements, contracts, sub awards, amendments and related documentation for NBEP projects and re-granting of funds to external parties.

• Prepare and submit materials and documentation required to demonstrate program effectiveness as part of EPA's periodic Program Evaluation process. Facilitate site visit and other activities.

• Oversee production of reports and publications including: technical reports and white papers, progress reports, GIS data and Story Maps, outreach materials, websites, press releases, and other materials. Coordinate timely updates of NBEP's written materials, serve as spokesperson to the media and oversee promotion of special events.

Staff Management

• Supervise staff and interns. Supervision includes but is not limited to, approving schedules and leave time, planning and assigning work, mentoring and motivating staff to work effectively, identifying strengths and challenges, identifying and determining areas for growth and training needs, conducting evaluations and discipline, as needed.

This is a grant-funded position that is contingent upon the existence and availability of external funding.

Requirements:

• Master's degree in environmental science or policy, public administration, or in a field related to natural resources.

• A minimum of fifteen years technical or professional experience, in public administration, or in a field related to natural resources, of which at least twelve years must have been in a professional capacity and, of which at least ten years must have been in a supervisory, managerial, or administrative capacity.

• Accomplished written and verbal communicators who can inspire confidence and communicate effectively and professionally with diverse partners.

• Sound judgment and resourcefulness in developing people, processes, and systems.

• Skill and empathy in interpersonal and group relations that promotes collaborative, team-orientated efforts.

• Enjoys working in a broad team-based and collaborative environment and is deeply invested in the health of the bay and its watershed.

• Operates with an accessible, visible, and flexible style that inspires trust and confidence in staff and in executive management. Easily able to partner with and influence/inform others.

• Comfortable in group settings and welcomes collaboration, with the ability to facilitate large group meetings and to mediate disparate opinions and negotiate acceptable solutions.

• Naturally prone to action with a focus toward continuous improvement and ability to bring work to completion; welcomes responsibility and remains accountable for results.

• Diplomatic and welcoming in approach to others, exercising considerable tact and diplomacy.

• Able to manage change and articulate the "value case" for it by bringing perspectives and ideas to the table while remaining open to perspectives and ideas from others.

• A strong, attuned management style that can capably lead while nurturing others and encouraging them to learn and grow.

• Capable of fostering trust, with staff, science community, government agencies, and the public at large.

• A valid driver's license and access to own transportation.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge or experience in:

• Aquatic, estuarine, or marine science or policy, or coastal zone management; non-point source pollution, estuarine monitoring, habitat assessment, and other factors affecting water quality in estuaries; planning principles and implementation techniques related to water quality protection; the principles and practices of public administration and relations; biological, chemical, and physical water quality indicators; habitat restoration activities; land use and water quality relationships; natural resources management.

• Proven experience in managing and building a team and bringing work of the team to completion on time and within budget.

• Success in marketing environmental or natural resource management programs and in securing funding from private and public sources.

• Demonstrated effective leadership and business management skills.

• Knowledge of public involvement and public participation theory and techniques.

• Ability to draft workplans, budgets, grant proposals, press releases, website content, and a variety of reports.

• Experience managing federal grants.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse groups and to build partnerships among local government, agency, and the private sector on projects to support the CCMP, identifying common goals and solutions for complex and long-term issues.

• Ability to organize workload, and perform tasks in an accurate, concise, and timely manner.

At the University's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be excepted where the candidate can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the University, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

Additional Information:

Roger Williams University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and committed to a diverse workforce. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable state and federal law. For information on our Non-discrimination policy, visit here.

RWU prohibits all forms of discrimination on the basis of sex in its education programs and activities and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and its implementing regulations not to discriminate in such a manner. Complaints of Title IX sexual harassment should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator at the contact information listed below. Details regarding the formal complaint process can be found here: Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures. All complaints of sexual harassment will be taken seriously and responded to promptly. TITLE IX COORDINATOR: Dr. Jen Stanley, 1 Old Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809 / Phone Number: (401) 254-3123 /Email Address: jstanley@rwu.edu

Salaries for new hires at Roger Williams University usually fall between the minimum and midpoint salary ranges.

$96,690 - $122,042

Application Instructions:

Please attach a resume, cover letter, and list of three (3) professional references. In your cover letter/letter of interest, in addition to listing how your qualifications meet the requirements of the position, please include information about how you would be able to contribute to RWU's diversity, inclusivity, and equity goals.

Department:

Community Engagement