Friends of the Rappahannock, Inc.

, a nonprofit river conservation organization, seeks a visionary

leader for the position of Executive Director.

Organization
Formed in 1985, the mission of Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) is to be "The Voice and Active Force for a
Healthy and Scenic Rappahannock River." Widely recognized for its achievements in river corridor protection,
Low Impact Development, and dam removal, FOR is a dynamic organization with a focus on "constructive
engagement" of watershed stakeholders. The organization places high value on setting advocacy positions
and program priorities that are firmly grounded in the most recent science, and that are driven by a Strategic
Planning process that is continually revisited.
Friends of the Rappahannock employs a staff of 8 full-time professionals, several part-time educators, and
numerous interns at the undergraduate and graduate level. With an annual budget of over $600,000 the
organization is governed by a Board of Directors of up to 18 individuals. FOR has two offices: a Headquarters
office located at the river's Fall Line in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and a Tidal Office, located in Tappahannock at
the June Parker Marina. FOR owns an office facility and 12-acre riverfront nature preserve at its
Fredericksburg headquarters.
Position
The Executive Director is responsible for the successful leadership and management of the organization
according to the mission and the strategic direction set by the Board of Directors, as outlined in Friends of the
Rappahannock's Strategic Plan.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Visionary Leadership
Participate with the Board of Directors in continual refinement of our vision and Strategic Plan.
Facilitate a comprehensive review of the Strategic Plan on a 5-year basis.
As chief spokesperson for the organization, lead in the clear and effective communication of the
organization's vision for the Rappahannock and its strategy with the media, membership, funders and
watershed stakeholders.
Guide the implementation of the Strategic Plan through hiring and oversight of professional staff in the
areas of advocacy, restoration, education, development, membership, communications, volunteerism,
administration, and/or other areas that may be deemed important.

Operational Planning and Management
Develop individual work plans for staff which incorporate goals and objectives that fulfill the
organization's mission and vision, as set forth in the Strategic Plan.
Ensure that the operation of the organization meets the expectations of its members, Board and
funders.
Oversee the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the organization including regular meetings
for staff to share progress and challenges.
Provide support to the Board by preparing meeting agendas and supporting materials as requested by
the Board.
Ensure that the organization maintains key staff with strong technical knowledge in order to continue to
engage effectively on technical issues.

Program Planning and Management
Oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of the organization's programs and services.
Ensure that the programs and services offered by the organization contribute to the organization's
mission and reflect the priorities as identified in the Strategic Plan.

Human Resources Planning and Management
Determine staffing requirements based on strategic goals and available financial resources.
Recruit, interview and select staff that have the appropriate technical and personal abilities to further
the organization's mission.
Oversee the development and implementation of human resources policies, including the development
of clear job descriptions with performance measures for all staff.
Establish a positive, healthy and safe work environment.
Implement a performance monitoring/management process for all staff which includes providing
constructive feedback on an on-going basis, and conducting an annual performance review.
Coach and mentor staff as appropriate to facilitate job satisfaction and improve performance.
Provide regular professional development opportunities for all staff, as resources permit.

Fundraising, Financial Planning and Management
Oversee and (as needed) implement all aspects of fundraising. FORs annual budget is spread across
competitive grants, fundraising events, major gifts, and dues/contributions. The successful applicant
will have a strong and demonstrable track record of success in obtaining funds in these key areas.
Prepare annual budgets and ensure the highest integrity in financial management and accountability.
Work with staff, the Board Treasurer (Finance Committee), and 3rd party accountant to provide regular
accounting of the organization's financial activities, relative to budget, for review by the Board.
Inform Board of funding needs in order to reach goals identified in the Strategic Plan. Work with the
Board to secure adequate funding for the operation of the organization and advancement of Strategic
Plan goals.
Support the acquisition of major gifts in close collaboration with the Board and the Director of
Development.
Oversee the continual grantwriting process, ensuring proposal volume and quality meets the funding
needs of the organization, matches the organization's mission, and meets the specific goals of the
grantors. Assist staff with grantwriting as needed.
Administer the funds of the organization according to the approved budget and monitor the monthly
cash flow of the organization.
Ensure that the organization complies with all legal requirements for nonprofit operations.

Advocacy and Community Relations
Lead the implementation of Board-approved advocacy initiatives as related to government policy,
legislation, ordinances, etc.
Establish good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community groups, funders,
elected and appointed officials, and other organizations to help achieve the goals of the organization.


Ethical Standards and Reputation
Ensure that the organization and its staff maintain the highest ethical standards through transparency in
finances, position statement development, and avoidance of conflict of interest.
Maintain and enhance the organization's reputation through the exercise of due-diligence oversight in
all areas of operation.
Serve as a pro-active caretaker of the organization's reputation through training of the staff and
orientation of prospective board members. Ensure communication of our core approach including:
constructive engagement of stakeholders, the use of finer advocacy tools before heavier-handed
tools, science-based decision making, providing grantors with professional and innovative deliverables,
and providing the community with high-quality field-based education programs that match Virginias
Standards of Learning.

Other
Ensure ecologically sound management of the organization's 12-acre riverfront sanctuary at our
headquarters in Fredericksburg.
Ensure that the organization's physical property (2-story office building, vehicles, equipment, etc.) are
adequately maintained.
Oversee the role of FOR as landlord to four tenants in our headquarters building and, in cooperation
with the Board, secure timely replacement of tenants as needed.
Other roles consistent with advancing organization's mission, as necessary or as directed by the
Board.

Qualifications
Education & Experience
Bachelor's degree (Master's preferred) in the Environmental Sciences, Natural Resource Management,
Planning, or related field and at least 8 years professional management experience in the environmental non-
profit arena, preferably in the conservation of aquatic/marine ecosystems.
OR
Significant experience as an executive-level leader in either the nonprofit or corporate arena, with a
demonstrated passion and personal commitment to the mission of the Friends of the Rappahannock, and a
demonstrated willingness and ability to quickly obtain competency in the KSAs listed below.

Core Personal Attributes
Adaptability: Demonstrate a willingness to be flexible, versatile and/or tolerant in a changing work environment
while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency.
Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and business practices, and ensure that own behavior and the
behavior of others is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.
Build Relationships: Place the cultivation of positive relationships at the core of your approach toward fostering
the kind of change that furthers the organization's mission and builds the organization's reputation.
Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and
effective communication tools and techniques.
Creativity/Innovation: Develop new and unique ways to improve operations of the organization, achieve
Strategic Plan goals, and cast the organization's vision for the future of the Rappahannock.
Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make
decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness. Build a team-based model among staff that emphasizes
close communication, mutual support, and regular recognition of accomplishments among colleagues.
Lead: Inspire others (staff, board, stakeholders) to invest in the organization's vision to such extent that it
becomes a shared effort, a shared vision, and a shared success.
Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions
which are timely and in the best interests of the organization and its mission. Know when to seek outside
advice and the input of the Board.
Organize: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor personal progress towards goals.
Plan: Determine strategies to move the organization forward. Set measurable objectives related to goals within
the Strategic Plan. Create and implement actions plans within defined time frames, evaluate the results, and
adaptively rework strategies based on these results.
Solve Problems: Approach problems as challenges with opportunity lying within. Whether an environmental
problem or a problem posed by a staff member, seek first to gather all relevant information and involve key
players. As appropriate, hold individuals accountable, but avoid creating a "blame environment". Focus on
solutions that prevent the same problem recurring in the future.
Think Strategically: Understand the "critical path" to a desired outcome. Learn the factors that are within and
outside your influence. Anticipate possible negative outcomes along the critical path, and develop contingency
plans that allow you to still move toward your desired outcome.
KSAs - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Preferred)
Friends of the Rappahannock places an emphasis on demonstrated and verifiable Core Personal Attributes, as
presented above. The following KSAs are important in the review process to the extent that they augment the
above Personal Attributes.
Solid understanding of the ecology of a healthy Chesapeake and its tributaries, particularly from the
perspective of biodiversity, the role of native species, and the productivity (both biologic and economic)
of its living resources.
Solid understanding of the science behind the degradation of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
(Water quality, watershed and estuarine hydrology, pollutant sources and pollutant chemistry)
Working knowledge of the Federal Chesapeake Bay TMDL (Clean Water Blueprint), Watershed
Improvement Plans (WIPs) and how they are being used to meet the 2025 restoration goals for the
Chesapeake and its tributaries.
Thorough understanding of the purpose and use of runoff Best Management Practices across the full
range of land uses.
Working familiarity with relevant legislation, including the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, RCRA,
CERCLA, TOSCA, the CWA Section 404 regulatory process, and Virginia's Chesapeake Bay Act.
Familiarity in working with Federal and Virginia Regulatory Authorities, including the Corps of
Engineers, VMRC, State Water Control Board, Board of Soil and Water Conservation, local wetlands
boards, and local and state E&S and Stormwater officials.
Fully competent with a PC and modern office software. Ability to learn new software tools quickly.
Familiarity with working in a networked environment and oversight of network security. Preferably, the
ability to troubleshoot simple network problems in order to maintain productivity.
Solid understand of non-profit accounting and the use of accounting software (preferably Quickbooks)
and constituent management software.
Whitewater canoeing and safety skills. Class I-III
Experienced in safe operation of motorized vessels of less than 25' length.

Compensation
Starting salary $60,000-$70,000/annum, based on experience and fundraising track record.
Group health insurance
3 weeks paid vacation/yr (15 days), 8 days paid sick leave/yr
Percentage employer match of employee 403(b) retirement account contribution
Flex-time and the opportunity for some telework.

and...
The opportunity to make a meaningful difference for the quality of our environment.
The opportunity to lead a well-established, well-respected environmental organization and to use that
basis to make positive impact at the local, regional, and state levels.
The opportunity to work with and guide an exceptional staff of highly mission-dedicated, and team-
oriented environmental professionals.
An ideal working environment, with our headquarters building located next to our 12-acre riverfront
nature preserve.
The support of an enthusiastic board and a broad membership base who value your work.

Other Information
Friends of the Rappahannock has the following full-time staff :
Executive Director
Assistant Director / Education Director
Programs Manager
Development Director
Tidal Rappahannock River Steward (Tappahannock Office)
Education Coordinator
Community Conservationist
Office Administrator
Plus several part-time environmental educators.
TO APPLY: All applications should be submitted through our website. Go to www.riverfriends.org and select
the job opening under NEWS. No calls please. Thank You. Friends of the Rappahannock.