Executive Director

 

 

Position Title:  Executive Director 

Reports to:  Board of Directors

 

The Organization:  Whidbey Environmental Action Network (WEAN)

Building on more than three decades of preserving the natural beauty of Whidbey and Camano Islands, and the surrounding Pacific Northwest, WEAN is in an exciting transition. This transition will relaunch a new WEAN – WEAN 2.0 (placeholder) – a strategic and nimble environmental activist organization with a laser beam focus on Island County that has impact throughout Washington State. WEAN 2.0 has deep expertise in local politics and environmental legislation; we inform policy making; we actively mobilize the community to engage in our work; we watchdog politicians and regulators; and when necessary, we litigate to ensure compliance. WEAN 2.0 works with groups throughout the state to influence and change environmental practices which in turn help to protect Island County. We practice civil discourse with integrity that is informed by best available science, not politics. We measure success through impact, effectively keeping Island County green with a healthy ecological balance between the environment and county residents.

 

Job Summary

WEAN 2.0 seeks a passionate environmental advocate with experience managing programs and people that are focused on protecting nature. Are you someone who gets up every day driven to do everything possible to deliver systemic change in order to ensure clean air, clean water, robust forests, safe watersheds, and a livable future for all species? As the Executive Director, you will work across local, county, and state legislative and regulatory bodies, you will form plans and inform strategies to protect Island County’s natural habitats and fragile ecosystems. You will help connect WEAN 2.0 to key policy makers and allies and will inform strategic engagement with them. You will contribute to educational efforts to build a new generation of environmental allies across the Pacific Northwest. You will be responsible for forming and directing a team, managing a budget, administering programs, and raising funds with the support of a development team. 

 

Competitive compensation and benefit package commensurate with experience .

 

Primary Responsibilities

Law, Regulation, and Policy Advocacy

Working closely with staff and board, develop and implement legislative and budgetary strategies that serve the WEAN 2.0 mission.   Conduct policy research related to WEAN 2.0 issues, including gathering data, identifying gaps, tracking emerging issues, speaking with issue experts, analyzing existing statutes, policies, regulations, and legislation Draft language for use in topic papers, code, memos, and policy fact sheets across local, county, and statewide jurisdictions Analyze legislation, regulations, and budgetary proposals that impact the climate crisis, land use, and other environmental priorities Develop processes and tools that enable community watchdog capabilities to monitor and protect our forests watersheds, and all critical areas. Create an escalation channel for citizens of Island County who witness private citizens and elected officials who are acting at odds with county or state environmental policies, regulations, and legislation Monitor county agendas and deadlines for public comment in order to mobilize the community to act

Coalition Management/Relationship Building

Meet with legislators and elected officials at all levels on priority legislation, regulation, and policy proposals Represent WEAN 2.0 in meetings and other public events including preparing and delivering testimony at legislative and other hearings Draft policy fact sheets and briefing papers on priority legislation, regulation, and policy issues Collaborate with WEAN 2.0 community to mobilize leaders, members, and other community organizations to participate in the legislative process Plan legislative and community policy briefings Meet regularly with donors and donor prospects to raise funds to sustain the organization

 

Minimum Qualifications

Three to five years of experience in legislative advocacy or work on legislative issues, preferably in the environmental space at the manager or director level with staff management responsibilities Demonstrated commitment to advancing solutions to the climate crisis and environmental land use issues Experience working with local, county, or state officials in the environmental and land use arenas Strong knowledge of environmental legislation, regulations, and public policy Working practice with basic ecological, conservation and environmental tools and concepts, including GIS, gap analysis, managed retreat, habitat fragmentation, etc Analytical capacity to think strategically about public policy agenda and implementation Initiative to work independently and in partnership with diverse staff, leaders, membership, organizations, and the community at large Ease working effectively in a fast paced, demanding culture where everyone pitches in Willingness to travel occasionally throughout Washington State on related work Strong working practice with standard office practices, including MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point) Exceptional writing and speaking skills

 

Preferred Qualities 

Masters degree in Public Policy, Law, Environmental Science, Environmental Justice, or similar Strong working expertise of Washington State, Island County, advocacy groups, and the local political landscape  Ability to plan and work strategically while taking timely action on mission centered crises Willingness to work flexible hours to respond to position needs Island County residency preferred

 

Notice of Nondiscrimination

Whidbey Environmental Action Network, WEAN, is a 501 (c) 3, non-profit charitable organization in Washington State. As such, WEAN complies with federal, state, and local employment laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, age, gender, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual preference, citizenship, alienage, veteran status, disability, genetic information, status as a victim of domestic violence or any other basis prohibited by law. WEAN is committed to maintaining a work environment that is free of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

 

To Apply:  Please submit your resume with a cover letter by email to WEAN20ED@gmail.com Please include “Executive Director search” in the subject line.