Facility
Animal Ark
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
The Animal Ark is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located twenty minutes north of Reno, Nevada adjacent to the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains. Established in 1981, the Animal Ark is dedicated to providing a safe haven for injured, abandoned and otherwise non-releasable wildlife. The mission of Animal Ark is to inspire environmental stewardship through wildlife education. The Animal Ark serves over 20,000 visitors to the park, an additional 8,000 school age children through onsite and offsite outreach education programs, and is home to about thirty-five full time animal residents.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the E.D. is accountable for managing all aspects of the wildlife care and, educational activities and facilities. In addition, the E.D. oversees all budgets, financial controls and the administrative infrastructure of the organization.
The E.D. will work with the Board on implementing the Board’s directives, such as developing strategic initiatives, carrying out the Board’s mission and vision and generating public awareness of the educational programs and need for revenue.
This job description is by no means all-inclusive and may be subject to change during a performance period due to the needs of the Animal Ark and its leadership. This document will be reviewed on a continual basis and will be modified as needed.
General Job duties:
The E.D. will have four priorities in the first 12 months of his or her tenure:
• Understand all facets of Animal Ark, including its history, advocacy, culture, staff, exhibits, finances, planned exhibitions, education and public programs, facilities, assets and infrastructure, operations and its potential.
• Significantly improve earned and contributed revenue by focusing attention and accountability on increased attendance, membership, ticket sales, and other earned revenue streams, and by soliciting donations from foundations, businesses, individuals, and other sources. Appropriately engage all hands (staff, Board and volunteers) in executing a fund development strategy and appropriate fundraising activities;
• Work with the staff, Board and volunteers to understand their contributions, strengths and concerns; instill a strong sense of partnership and cohesion across the organization; use open channels of communication to reinforce a culture of excellence toward achieving the highest standards of practice in informal educational institutions;
• Assist in crafting the master plan including designing a new visitor center for the Animal Ark.
Specific Job Duties
Supervision of Employees
The E.D. will supervise the following positions, either directly or through the Human Resources Manager:
• Finance Manager
• Facility Manager
• Education Coordinator
• Animal Care Coordinator
Leadership & General Management
• Manage the day-to-day business affairs of the Animal Ark
• With the Board, refine and interpret its mission and strategic initiatives
• Hire, supervise, motivate, develop and evaluate staff.
• Actively recruit and train volunteers.
Fundraising Leadership
• Serve as the chief fundraiser for the Animal Ark. programs, exhibitions and capital projects.
• Maintain and grow database of accessible donor information
• Work with the Board to devise realistic fundraising plans to meet and exceed the Ark’s revenue goals.
• Capitalize on grant opportunities by monitoring donor activity in the area and nationally.
• Direct and lead Board-authorized Capital Campaigns.
• Work closely with the staff, the board, volunteers and advisors to expand and diversify revenue streams from all sources.
Exhibits, Educational and Public Programming
• Assist in developing Animal Ark’s reputation as a leading wildlife sanctuary.
• Work collaboratively and appropriately manage various relationships with other like organizations, advocates, schools, universities, patrons, volunteers and other community members.
• Work with staff to continue to develop a comprehensive plan to strengthen, continually refresh and enrich Animal Ark’s education programming.
Governance
• Attend all Board meetings and committee meetings as required
• Keep the Board informed of all relevant issues
• With the Board and under the direction of the Board’s President, develop and implement Animal Ark’s strategic initiatives;
• Identify and help recruit new Board members whose talents, interests and commitment can further the Animal Ark’s mission and programs
• Work with the Board President to ensure an effective Board committee structure and active engagement of Board talent and resources in support of the institution
• Cultivate a mutually supportive relationship with stakeholders and other groups that are important to the future of Animal Ark.
Working Conditions
Regular work schedule will include modified work hours and weekend hours during the high seasons. This position may require occasional evenings and early-mornings. The work environment is a varied mix of indoors and outdoors with exposure to seasonal weather conditions.
Physical Requirements
The position requires the individual to sit for long periods of time while reading and/or working on a computer. Moderate physical effort on a daily basis includes walking, bending, stooping and standing for an extended period of time. The E.D. must also be able to use the telephone and computer and must be able to lift and move 30 pounds.
Education and Pre-requisites
Knowledge Skills and Abilities
Minimum
• A bachelor’s degree in biology or related field.
• Strong management and leadership responsibility for an aquarium, zoo, land trust, heritage site, museum, education or policy institute, school or associated institution
• A minimum of six years’ experience with progressive management leadership success.
• Five to eight years demonstrated success in leading major fundraising initiatives.
• Demonstrable social media skills, including media tools for fundraising.
• Inquisitive and organized with a keen sense of ingenuity, initiative and resourcefulness
• Self-starter able to work under pressure
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines for multiple projects.
• Possess strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse people.
• Unwaveringly honest and professional in all interactions
• Seeks out opportunities for teamwork and networking,
• Maintains highest standards of quality and performance.
• Is able to make quick decisions in an extreme emergency.
Preferred experience
• CFRE Certification
• Prior experience with capital campaigns.
• Managing a small organization.
• Experience with donor perfect software.
EEO Policy Statement
The Animal Ark affords equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to their race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizen status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic or status that is protected by federal, state or local law.
Compensation and benefits
Salary Range: $65,000-$85,000
Application instructions
To be considered:
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume by September 1, 2019 to:
Executive Board of Directors
Animalarknv@gmnail.com