Job Summary
The Executive Director is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, day to day operation/oversight and economic well-being of the International Hunter Education Association-United States of America (IHEA-USA), an internationally recognized conservation and education organization specifically focused on supporting and enhancing hunter education.
Job Duties
The Executive Director directs the affairs of the IHEA-USA office and supervises the office staff; coordinates the work of the staff, as well as numerous committees. A critical responsibility is preparing a strategic plan and annual budget to meet the priorities established by the Board, obtaining the Board's approval of the strategic plan and budget and then successfully achieving plan objectives within approved budget parameters.
The Executive Director develops and maintains partnerships with various stakeholders and conservation groups; participates in annual conferences representing IHEA-USA interests; assists in establishing priorities, seeks and develops alternative funding sources (sponsorships, grants, awards, etc.), annual and long-term budget planning, annual and long-range strategic plans, educational goals, objectives, and work plans. This position requires significant travel to represent IHEA-USA at multiple venues. This position additionally provides programmatic direction and support to 50 state hunter education administrators and over 55,000 volunteer hunter education instructors.
The Executive Director is responsible to and is governed by the Board of Directors, will report to and will advise the Board on all significant matters of the IHEA-USA's business, and will see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect.
The Executive Director is empowered to act, speak for, or otherwise represent IHEA-USA between meetings of the Board within the boundaries of policies and purposes established by the Board and as set forth in the IHEA-USA's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.
The Executive Director is responsible for keeping the Board apprised of staff performance and for implementing any personnel policies adopted by the Board. The Executive Director is also responsible for all contractors and vendors with whom IHEA-USA has valid agreements and is responsible for keeping the Board informed of contractor and vendor performance.
The Executive Director is authorized to contract, receive, deposit, disburse, and account for IHEA-USA funds with proper checks and balances in place; to execute in IHEA-USA's contracts, deeds, leases, and other written instruments authorized either generally or specifically by the Board; and to negotiate all IHEA-USA's material business transactions-again, with the proper checks and balances in place.
Primary Responsibilities
Leadership & Representation
To ensure IHEA-USA has clear short and long-term visions, mission statement and strategic plan necessary to meet needs and objectives and to monitor, review and make adjustments as necessary
To ensure the goals and objectives are being met and that IHEA-USA's funds are used in a cost-effective manner
To inspire people to join and support IHEA-USA promoting wildlife conservation, firearms safety and ethical hunting
To raise material support of IHEA-USA significantly by enhancing and growing support for safe hunting and wildlife conservation
To provide leadership to staff, board and committees of IHEA-USA
To ensure IHEA-USA is represented in a dynamic and professional manner to all external individuals, groups, organizations, agencies, and other entities
To foster good relationships with all major stakeholder groups including, but not limited to, volunteer hunter education instructors, hunters, landowners, government officials, resource professionals, hunting industry companies, NGOs, and the outdoor media
Managing Staff and Resources
To dedicate sufficient staff resources and focus on developing adequate and sustainable revenue streams to ensure the financial viability of IHEA-USA
To ensure the staff of IHEA-USA is recruited, managed, guided and developed (as and when funded) so they effectively carry out the work of the organization
To ensure that the organization discharges its legal obligations
Implementing the Decisions of the Board
Following decisions made at Board Meeting, formulate and implement the policy/strategy direction and report back on progress or issues as they develop
To serve the Board, in consultation with the President, Vice President and Secretary, ensuring items requiring the consideration of the Board are placed on meeting agendas
To report to the Board regularly on the progress of the organization
Qualifications
Leadership experience, history of leading an organization, business, agency and/or program
Event experience including planning, promotions, marketing, administration and management
Advanced communications skills, excellent writing and speaking abilities, including technology skills
Educational background that supports position and experience
Experience and/or training in hunting, wildlife biology, ecology or management and conservation
Experience and knowledge of the shooting, hunting and outdoor industries, federal, state, and local natural resource and wildlife agencies and organizations
Experience in state and federal laws, statutes and administrative code as related to natural resources and Federal Assistance funding (Pittman-Robertson)
Ability to facilitate the development of strategic plans, programs and budgets to guide the future of hunter education
Ability to implement and execute the decisions of the Board
Ensure the effective management of the staff and the resources of the organization
Experience in managing non-profit organizations
Knowledge in webpage design and function
Experience
Four or more year's management experience
Experience working in cross-cultural environments and ability to achieve consensus among diverse stakeholder groups
Strategic planning and budgeting experience - developing and monitoring complex plans and budgets
Understanding of and commitment to shooting, hunting and conservation, particularly the role of hunting in wildlife management
Experience in fundraising, grants and securing sponsorships
Personal Qualities
A charismatic leader with excellent presentation skills, integrity and professionalism.
Upstanding character and ability to pass a criminal background check
A strong leader - with the ability to build support and respect among staff members and outside organizations and individuals
Independent and skilled at working in a "political arena" (board, members, regions, etc.)
A confident, thoughtful decision-maker - not afraid to voice own opinions and yet able to build agreement with others
Knowledgeable and respected by different parties, organizations and groups
A deep personal commitment to the mission of IHEA-USA
Resilient and able to work under pressure
Compensation
Commensurate with qualifications; IHEA-USA is prepared to offer an attractive compensation and benefits package with the opportunity for a performance bonus.
Location
The IHEA-USA office is currently located in Denver, Colorado; successful applicant has option to telecommute.
Application Process
Applicants may view/print a copy of this announcement at www.IHEA-USA.org. Applicants must send an electronic cover letter and resume with salary history to the IHEA-USA Board President Megan Wisecup atmegan.wisecup@dnr.iowa.gov. All applications will be kept strictly confidential. Applicants selected to participate in the interview process will be asked to provide references at that time.
Application Deadline
The recruitment process will open November 2015 and close midnight (CST), January 15, 2016. Applications must be received on or before 1/15/16 to be considered. Interviews are scheduled for late February/early March 2016. It is desired the successful applicant be available to commence employment on or about May 1, 2016.
The IHEA-USA is an equal opportunity employer.
About IHEA-USA: The IHEA-USA is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. The International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) - USA is the professional hunter education association affiliated with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the 50 state fish and hunter education programs. The programs employ 55,000 instructors, many of whom are volunteers, that teach hunting and shooting safety and responsibilities throughout the United States.
Hunter Education courses train and certify more than 650,000 students annually. Since 1949, almost 40 million students have completed hunter education courses that cover firearm safety, bow hunting, wildlife management, field care of game, responsible hunting, landowner relations, wildlife identification, and much more.
