East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) has an exciting opportunity for an innovative, resourceful new Executive Director to continue to grow the current culture of trust and accountability while prioritizing the organization’s mission to help people care for land and water.
Position Details
As the leader of EMSWCD, the Executive Director is responsible for the overall implementation of the strategic plan initiatives and annual goals. Prioritizing open and collaborative leadership with the elected board of directors and staff is key.
A focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in conservation work, as well as a deep commitment to responding to the impacts of climate change on water, land, and people are also key elements of success for this position.
The Executive Director will continue to grow a culture of trust and accountability for the organization and its constituents.
Location: on-site and remote
Compensation range: $147,162 – $220,743
Please note: we are not handling inquiries about the Executive Director position at EMSWCD. Please read the full position announcement below and direct all inquiries to Motus Recruiting & Staffing, Inc.
Please read the full Executive Director Position Announcement here.
Organization Overview
The East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) is a unit of local government serving Northwest Oregon’s Multnomah County east of the Willamette River. It is led by an elected board of five directors. They work entirely on a voluntary, non-regulatory basis. The organization’s work is geared toward keeping water clean and keeping soil healthy.
EMSWCD stretches from the Industrial District on the east side of the Willamette River in Portland through Gresham and east to the Bonneville Dam. Our work is designed to respond to that diversity of geography and communities.
The 20-member staff provides a wide variety of programs and services in our district, focused on three core program areas: Working Lands, Natural Areas, and Urban Environment. We grant close to one million dollars in grants toward conservation projects; we run a Farm Incubator Program to assist new farm businesses; we manage a Land Legacy program to help protect agricultural and natural resource lands; and teach urban naturescaping and stormwater management,as well as offer a myriad of free workshops and events, to name just a few. Click here to see our Annual Report that further highlights the many programs and services we provide.
Key Candidate Attributes
- Relationship-builder who has the ability to inspire, encourage,facilitate, and lead staff through collaborative leadership.
- The ability to serve as a strategic advocate between staff and the elected board.
- Ability to work without direct supervision, establish work priorities,and manage time to meet EMSWCD deadlines and goals.
- Knowledge of natural resource conservation issues and of natural resource agencies and organizations.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills. Serve as the face of EMSWCD and be comfortable with public speaking, external outreach, etc.
- Foster mutually beneficial relationships with a broad range of current and future partners, including:
- farmers and rural landowners;
- conservation partners;
- local and statewide government entities;
- community benefit organizations;
- BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and other marginalized groups.
- Motivated and courageous in engaging staff and leaders to seek multiple perspectives and check assumptions.
- History working with elected officials and boards.
- Review budgets, manage government funding streams, and engage in financial planning with finance staff.
- Ability to build diversity within the organization.
- Ability to manage staff as individual contributors and as a team, including goal-setting, leadership training, and staff development.
- Must be proficient in English (oral and written) for communicating with elected EMSWCD Board members, staff, partner staff, and office callers and visitors.
Next steps:
If you would like to apply to be the next Executive Director at the East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District, please go to: