From: Karen ClaxonSubject: 1. administrative assistant- Env. Edu. 2. Exec Dir. Texas Audubon Administrative Assistant - Busy national non-profit environmental education office in Houston, Texas needs experienced administrative assistant with interest in education and/or environmental issues. The Council for Environmental Education (CEE) provides environmental education programs and services that promote stewardship of the environment and further the capacity of learners to make informed decisions. Our focus is K-12 educator training and educational materials development. We administer the award-winning Project WILD program (a wildlife education iniative) and have recently launched an urban focused initiative called WET in the City. Visit www.projectwild.org and www.wetcity.org for more information. Administrative assistant duties include phone work, correspondence, basic accounting, travel and meeting arrangements, office management, and assistance with educational workshops and exhibits. Minimal travel is required. The capacity to write effectively and expediently is a must. Computer skills including Word, Excel, QuickBooks, and Internet on both Mac and PC required; Pagemaker and HTML a plus. Excellent organizational skills needed. Minimum two years experience preferred. Send resume and cover letter by May 31 to the Council for Environmental Education, 5555 Morningside, Suite 212, Houston, TX 77005. 1. Executive Director, Texas Audubon Society Austin, TX The Texas Audubon Society is the National Audubon Society's state program in Texas. Its mission for more than 100 years has been to protect birds and other wildlife and to conserve and restore wildlife habitat. The Texas Audubon Society promotes scientifically sound education and state conservation policy; educates the public on bird, wildlife, and habitat issues; manages 14,000 acres of critical wildlife habitat (the Sabal Palm Sanctuary in Brownsville, and a series of island sanctuaries along the coast); and supports the work of 19 local Audubon chapters. With more than 20,000 members, Texas Audubon is one of the largest conservation organizations in Texas. Its coastal conservation initiative was recently honored by the Governor's Blue Ribbon Committee on Environmental Excellence. Texas Audubon is headquartered in Austin, with a staff of eight (plus seven part-time sanctuary wardens) and an annual budget of $720,000 for fiscal 2001. Position summary The Executive Director is the chief executive officer for Audubon in Texas, and supervises all NAS facilities and programs in the state. Relationships The Executive Director reports to Glenn Olson, NAS Vice President and Director of Field Operations, who is based in Sacramento, CA, and also to the Texas Audubon Society Board of Directors. The Executive Director and all employees of Texas Audubon are employees of the National Audubon Society. The Executive Director manages the staff of the Texas Audubon Society, which currently includes: John Szypula - Interim Executive Director, Director of Education Mike Perkins - Director of Development [to be filled] - Office Manager _______________ *Note: any reference to he, him or his should be read to include she, her or hers. Edie Muehlberger - Chapter Support/Volunteer Services Jimmy Paz - Sabal Palm Manager Dianne King Akers - Grant/Report Writer (part-time) Sylvia Avelar - Office Assistant, Sabal Palm (part-time) Mel Pineda - Binational Education Coordinator (part-time) Wardens for coastal sanctuaries (part-time): Ernest Ortiz, Eugene Rouse, Leroy Overstreet, Joe Whitehead, Bob Gallaway, Winnie Burkett, Chester Smith The Executive Director will also work with National Audubon staff and state directors throughout the country in implementing NAS policy objectives. Position priorities (to be accomplished during the first six months) Develop and implement plans to strengthen the organization's financial position, enrolling the assistance of the Board of Directors to achieve financial independence. Develop plans to strengthen Texas Audubon and work toward the goal of building and maintaining a leadership position in achieving Audubon's 2020 Vision to build a national network of environmental education centers and create a culture of conservation. Working closely with NAS and with the Board, develop a strategic plan for Texas Audubon for the development of environmental education centers. Complete the plans for and prepare to initiate the development of one or more centers in Texas, including plans for a capital campaign. Serving as a liaison between NAS and the chapters, work to rebuild relationships with the chapters. Primary responsibilities Serve as Texas Audubon's Chief Executive Officer, growing and managing its programs. Manage effectively the organizational and administrative responsibilities of Texas Audubon. Develop and implement plans for Audubon's education and conservation programs in Texas. Establish and maintain good working relationships with the Audubon chapters in Texas, and with Audubon offices in other states. Develop and administer Texas Audubon's budget and ensure the organization's fiscal responsibility. Take a leadership role in fundraising efforts with individuals, foundations, and corporations, including cultivation of major donor prospects. Build a strong Board of Directors and make effective use of the members' strengths in making Texas a leader in conservation. Recruit, train and retain skilled and experienced staff members who are committed to accomplishing Audubon goals in Texas. Be a visible and effective advocate for Audubon priorities in the legislative and regulatory arenas, keeping NAS and the chapters informed on points of interest. Encourage and make effective use of volunteers. Serve as Audubon's principal spokesperson in Texas. Build and maintain strong working relationships with other Texas conservation organizations. Ideal experience Education: a bachelor's degree is required. An advanced degree in science, business, law, public administration, or a natural resource-related field is highly desirable. Experience: ten years of progressively responsible experience with private, non-profit, or public sector organizations, including five years at management level with comparable staff and budget. Proven management skills are essential. Knowledge of Texas, its heritage and natural resources, and its conservation issues is a strong plus. Proven development experience, including strong major donor relationships. Excellent oral and written communications skills, including substantial experience making presentations to groups. Ideal personal profile An innovative and entrepreneurial individual who can work effectively without direct supervision. An experienced leader/executive who knows how to build and work with a team of employees, Board members and other volunteers. A consensus builder who will be an effective liaison with the chapters. A strategic thinker who can develop, communicate, and implement a vision and a plan for Audubon's growth in Texas. An individual who is strongly committed to conservation and to Audubon's vision. An executive with a firm understanding of business/financial principles who can identify and secure new sources of funding, and who can budget and manage effectively. An excellent communicator who can present Audubon's goals and programs effectively to prospective donors and to the public. A leader who can develop and maintain effective representation of the Audubon Society in Texas and nationally, building public recognition of its name and purpose. For more information contact: Dorothy Drummer & Associates 512-478-3504 telephone 512-476-6441 fax Executive Search Consulting drummerd@swbell.net