Operations Manager (Part-Time)
The Ausable River Association (AsRA), a non-profit environmental conservation organization based in Wilmington, New York, is seeking a qualified individual to provide part-time bookkeeping and administrative support. Reporting to the executive director, the position holder will use accounting, database management, and organizational skills to support AsRA’s science-based conservation mission to help communities protect Ausable streams and lakes.
Position Overview
Status: part-time employee, flexible schedule, 12 to 21 hours/week
Compensation: $17 to $22 per hour, dependent on experience, plus benefits
Hire Timeline: Applications no later than 28 February; job start – asap
AsRA currently employs a small staff of hardworking conservation professionals with expertise in science, stream restoration, public education, communications, community outreach, grant-writing, non-profit management, and program building. Our strategic program growth, in response to our goals and the needs of our community, requires dedicated membership and operational support.
Position Description
Supervised by the executive director, the operations manager (OM) will:
- Serve as bookkeeper, managing AsRA’s daily finances, tracking all income and expenses (refining current systems as needed), managing accounts, paying approved bills, providing clear and concise oral and written financial reports including monthly reconciliation
- Manage the organization’s membership and donor database, tracking donations, and sending prompt thank you letters
- Assist in the management and tracking of organizational and program budgets working with the executive director to anticipate funding needs and to provide quarterly reporting to the board of directors
- Provide financial management and organization of AsRA’s grants and contracts, working with staff as needed to track and record expenditures, invoice for reimbursement, fulfill reporting requirements, manage AsRA contractor billing and payment, and monitor compliance;
- Assist the executive director in managing AsRA staff benefits
- Provide support to an office of 4 to 6 staff; all AsRA’s staff share administrative and office work, but the OM will take the lead on identifying gaps, discussing options, coordinating a response, doing the work themselves if needed, and following up to ensure needs are met
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have experience with financial and operational management in a non-profit setting. They will be interested in our mission of helping communities protect the clean waters, healthy streams, and diverse habitats of the Ausable watershed. Besides the proficiencies noted below, they will be able to communicate concisely, manage multiple tasks, and share ideas and questions with a small team of dedicated coworkers. A sense of humor and a willingness to listen, share, and problem solve in a dynamic group is necessary.
Minimum Qualifications
- BA/BS degree and three years’ experience as a bookkeeper, accountant, or as an operations manager in a small to mid-size working environment, or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Proficiency with financial recordkeeping, account management, and reporting
- Experience with budget preparation and management
- Experience with grants and/or contract management, tracking, and compliance
- Knowledge of accounting best practices and financial approaches including tax preparation support and other reporting formats
- Knowledge of benefits provisions and management
- Proficiency with computer and cloud software, specifically QuickBooks, Excel and other database and payment management tools
- Willingness to constructively assist and engage with others, especially staff and board members, but also with community members, government staff and officials, AsRA members and supporters, science colleagues, etc.
- A sense of humor, exceptional organizational skills, and impeccable attention to detail
Desired Qualifications
- Five years’ experience with business bookkeeping and financial management in a non-profit setting
- Experience managing membership, donor, and/or volunteer databases
- Familiarity with state and federal reporting systems and requirements and an interest in assisting with minute project financial details
- A track record of investigating and improving organizational processes
- Familiarity with local communities in the Ausable watershed or wider Adirondacks
About AsRA
Since 1998, AsRA has been working with landowners, local, state, and federal government, NGOs, researchers, and other stakeholders to conserve the valued resources of the Ausable watershed. AsRA’s conservation programs provide transferable solutions to issues that challenge many watersheds. We undertake rigorous monitoring to mitigate the effects of pollutants on aquatic life and drinking water; provide early detection, education, and outreach to reduce invasive species threats; assess the abundance of aquatic native species, such as brook trout, and work to protect their habitat; and we restore the health and balance of our streams, sustaining ecological diversity and providing flood resilience for our communities. See our website: www.ausableriver.org for more details.
How to Apply
Please email a resume, a cover letter describing your interest and addressing the qualifications above and contact information for three professional references to hiring@ausableriver.org by February 28, 2019. Please type the position title “Operations Manager” in the subject line. Review of applications will begin in mid-February.
River Steward (full-time, temporary)
The Ausable River Association (AsRA), a non-profit environmental conservation organization based in Wilmington, New York, is seeking a qualified individual to provide full-time, temporary education and outreach to recreational users of the Ausable River. The river steward will interact with anglers and members of the general public to educate them about aquatic and terrestrial invasive species and proper cleaning methods for their recreational equipment. Collecting survey data, identifying and removing invasive species along the river corridor, and attending public events as an ambassador of the Ausable River, the river steward will support AsRA's science-based conservation mission to help communities protect Ausable streams and lakes.
Position Overview
Status: full-time, temporary seasonal employee, 35-40 hours/week
Compensation: $15 per hour, mileage reimbursement
Hire Timeline: Applications no later than 28 February; position runs early May to late September, with some flexibility
Position Description
The Ausable River is nationally and internationally known for its trout fishery, spectacular scenery, and exceptional recreational opportunities. A host of aquatic and terrestrial invasive species threaten these valued resources. The river steward helps AsRA and our partners protect the region from these invaders by educating river users and the community about invasive species threats and spread prevention. Supervised by the Biodiverse Habitats program manager, primary duties of the river steward include:
- riverside education of anglers and river users about invasives and how to clean their gear;
- collecting and managing survey data;
- working with local fly fishing shops;
- maintaining equipment cleaning stations;
- attending events to educate the general public;
- accurate tracking and extensive reporting of activities and results;
- The River Steward will work with AsRA staff to develop a work plan that meets the needs of the program and complements the Steward's skill set and learning objectives.
Qualifications
Qualified candidates are well-organized, self-starters enthusiastic about working directly with the public; able to communicate effectively in person and in writing; capable of performing duties independently and as directed by a supervisor; eager to work outdoors in all normal weather conditions; and attentive to detail. Proficiency with Excel and Word programs is essential, as is comfort with data collection and reporting. Experience with public outreach and education is a plus. A successful candidate will, minimally, have completed – or be near completion of – a degree in natural resources, biology, environmental science, or a related field. He or she will have demonstrated a commitment to conservation. The ideal candidate will meet the above qualifications and have a knowledge of fisheries, aquatic ecosystems, and invasive and native species. The steward must hold a valid driver's license and have regular access to a reliable vehicle.
Lodging is NOT provided. Weekend work is required. Position runs from early May to late September 2019, with some flexibility.
About AsRA
Since 1998, AsRA has been working with landowners, local, state, and federal government, NGOs, researchers, and other stakeholders to conserve the valued resources of the Ausable watershed. AsRA's conservation programs provide transferable solutions to issues that challenge many watersheds. We undertake rigorous monitoring to mitigate the effects of pollutants on aquatic life and drinking water; provide early detection, education, and outreach to reduce invasive species threats; assess the abundance of aquatic native species, such as brook trout, and work to protect their habitat; and we restore the health and balance of our streams, sustaining ecological diversity and providing flood resilience for our communities. See our website: www.ausableriver.org for more details.
How to Apply
Submit a cover letter explaining your interest and specific qualifications, a resume, and contact information for three professional references as one PDF document to hiring@ausableriver.org. Application review will beginFebruary6,2019 but applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please type the position title "River Steward" and your last name in the subject line.
Development Director
The Ausable River Association (AsRA), a non-profit conservation organization with a mission of helping communities protect our stream and lakes, seeks a qualified development professional. Reporting to and in partnership with the executive director, the director will use development, fundraising, and marketing skills to inspire philanthropy in support of AsRA’s science-based programs and conservation results. AsRA’s office is located in Wilmington, New York.
Position Overview
Status: Full-time exempt (part-time considered)
Compensation:$38 – 45,000, dependent on experience, with generous benefits
Hire Timeline: Applications due no later than March 31, 2019
AsRA currently employs a small staff of hardworking conservation professionals with expertise in science, stream restoration, communications, community outreach, grant-writing, non-profit management, and program building. Our strategic program growth, in response to our goals and the needs of our community, requires dedicated development expertise.
Position Description
Supervised by the executive director, the director will:
- Create and execute successful strategies for engaging, cultivating, and growing a sustaining base of members and annual individual donors
- Secure and incrementally expand financial support from individuals, foundations, and corporations
- Work with the executive director to develop and maintain ongoing relationships with and special opportunities for members, major donors, and family foundations
- Communicate AsRA’s mission and programs – through diverse media and face-to-face meetings – to elevate the profile of AsRA, increase public awareness, and expand AsRA’s audience
- Plan and execute special events to promote donor/member/community engagement with AsRA and stewardship of watershed resources
- Develop and manage a successful planned giving program
- Work with the executive director to manage government grants
- Work with program staff to develop and track proposals and reporting for foundation and corporate fundraising
- Oversee the membership and donor database
Qualifications
Qualified candidates will be experienced in the fields of development and fundraising and committed to our mission of helping communities protect the clean waters, healthy streams, and diverse habitats of the Ausable watershed. Besides the proficiencies noted below, the ideal candidate will be able to quickly understand organizational needs and goals and take initiative in planning and executing strategies for membership, major gifts, planned giving, special events, and designated campaigns. The ability to work closely with the executive director, manage multiple tasks, and concisely share ideas and questions is essential, as is a sense of humor and a willingness to listen, share, and problem solve with a small team of dedicated coworkers.
Minimum Qualifications
- BA/BS degree and five years’ experience with development and fundraising in a non-profit or charitable environment, or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Experience asking for and closing donations; comfortable making written requests and personally asking people for donations; ability to coach others in these skills
- Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with donors such as high net worth individuals, foundations, and corporations
- Desire to seek out and engage a socially diverse array of community members, potential donors, grantmakers, government staff and officials, AsRA members, supporters, and colleagues, and others to secure support for the mission and goals of AsRA
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills and writing skills
- Experience working with interdisciplinary teams and meeting deadlines
- Proficiency with computer and cloud software including donor database management
- A blend of personal confidence and initiative tempered by a sensitivity to organizational needs and supervisory requirements
- A sense of humor, strong organizational skills, and desire to work in a small, creative team environment
Desired Qualifications
- 8 to 10 years’ experience with development and fundraising in a non-profit or charitable environment with 2-3 years managing a strategic development or fundraising program
- Complimentary financial management or formal marketing/communications skills
- Knowledge of Salesforce CRM
- Knowledge of current and evolving standards and trends in philanthropy/fundraising
- Proficiency in synthesizing materials from multiple sources into a coherent and accurate summary
- A smart layman’s understanding of science-based field methods to identify problems and inform conservation solutions; a familiarity with conservation organizations
- Connection to or familiarity with the Adirondack Park
About AsRA
Since 1998, AsRA has been working with landowners, local, state, and federal government, NGOs, researchers, and other stakeholders to conserve the valued resources of the Ausable watershed. AsRA’s conservation programs provide transferable solutions to issues that challenge many watersheds. We undertake rigorous monitoring to mitigate the effects of pollutants on aquatic life and drinking water; provide early detection, education, and outreach to reduce invasive species threats; assess the abundance of aquatic native species, such as brook trout, and work to protect their habitat; and we restore the health and balance of our streams, sustaining ecological diversity and providing flood resilience for our communities. See our website: www.ausableriver.org for more details.
How to Apply
Please send a resume, a cover letter describing your interest and addressing the qualifications above, and contact information for three professional references to hiring@ausableriver.org by 31 March 2019. Please type the position title “Development Director” in the subject line. Review of applications will begin in April.
