GPSEN Executive Director – Position Description

Job Opportunity

The Greater Portland Sustainability Education Network (GPSEN) seeks an Executive Director who is experienced in and committed to the power of formal, non-formal, and informal education and collaboration to advance sustainability initiatives in our greater Portland region.

The Executive Director should have previous experience in managing a non-profit, with a record of engaging across diverse groups and sectors in order to develop and leverage resources, support community programs and events, and make a collective impact through interactive teams and partnerships.  Knowledge of United Nations’ sustainability initiatives is a plus, but not required.

The position is part-time and largely volunteer at this point (approx. 10 hrs/week), with opportunities to build funding for the position, as well as for operational capacity, programs, and other efforts that advance our sustainability education mission and regional network.  Some discretionary funding exists that may be used to support the ED and our GPSEN committees’ work.

ABOUT GPSEN

The Greater Portland Sustainability Education Network (GPSEN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, with a mission to connect diverse organizations in a collaborative network that multiplies our collective capacity to educate, empower, and engage each other to help create a healthy, just, and thriving region where education for sustainability is prioritized and integrated across sectors and everyone has opportunities to shape a sustainable future.

Acknowledged in 2013 as a Regional Center of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCE) by United Nations University, we serve Clackamas, Clark, Multnomah, and Washington counties in Oregon and Washington.  We are one of eight RCEs in the United States and 175 RCEs around the world.

As a multi-sector network of educators, students, non-profits, political and industry leaders, civic organizations, and community members, we welcome the engagement of all who feel called to make a difference through the power of collective impact and education for sustainable development.

See our core values and more details about our strategic priorities and collective achievements on Our About page.

Review a summary of our 2019-2022 Strategic Plan here.

Would you like to be a part of our team and lead our region towards greater collective impact?

JOB DESCRIPTION

Expected time commitment: 7-10 hrs/wk, with varying hours depending on the time of the year and associated work demands (to be discussed with the selected candidate based on availability). Term duration is two years, with renewal option based upon Board approval.

Compensation: We are an entirely volunteer-run organization, with no formal administrative support, beyond in-kind resources and discretionary funds. This is currently a pro-bono position.  Benefits include extensive local and international networking, conference and travel opportunities, leadership and resume development, and professional connections with a strong volunteer Board of Directors who have expertise in sustainability education.  GPSEN will support the Executive Director in seeking funding for this position.

The Executive Director is responsible for collaborating with the Board of Directors  to lead and manage GPSEN’s vision, strategic goals, and policies. 

Position responsibilities:

  • Communicate with the Board and Governance Committee about all issues and policies affecting the organization and its management, including compliance with state and other requirements
  • Maintain non-profit status by ensuring that policies, standards, and procedures are followed
  • Administer funds for the organization with support from Treasurer and Board
  • Develop and maintain partnerships, within partner maintenance programs and by representing GPSEN within the greater Portland community
  • Work with committees to develop grant applications and committee work plans as needed
  • Oversee volunteers to support program implementation
  • Support GPSEN committees on an as-needed basis with deliverables such as event planning, grant applications, partnership development, strategic planning, and communications
  • Co-create annual project reports and report summaries with the Board President to share with partners, officials, and United Nations University
  • Represent GPSEN (aka RCE Greater Portland) as point person to the RCEs of the Americas, the UNU RCE Service Center, and UNESCO’s ESD for 2030 Framework and decade. This includes giving addresses at events, supporting networking and partnership campaigns, and presenting GPSEN’s programs to advance our SDG/ESD initiatives.
  • Process physical mail on occasion

Minimum qualifications:

  • University degree in a related field – Public Administration, Business/Nonprofit Administration, Community Development, Public Policy, or equivalent experience 
  • Experience with volunteer and financial management
  • Knowledge of sustainability education in the greater Portland region

Desired qualifications:

  • Advanced degree in a related field
  • Experience in outreach and communications, including social media tools
  • Experience with strategic planning processes
  • Experience building diverse networks and partnerships, and long-term collaborative working relationships
  • Commitment to centering work through a DEI lens, in support of BIPOC communities for social justice
  • Confidence in public speaking; able to represent GPSEN in a variety of events and venues
  • Well-developed writing skills, including: reports, online blogs, press releases, social media posts, and other forms of mass communication
  • Understanding of UN programs and the Sustainable Development Goals
  • Knowledge of federal and state standards that affect nonprofit organizations

How To Apply: 

Submit the following by Friday, September 4, 2020.

  1. A cover letter that reflects how your experience qualifies you to become the Executive Director of the Greater Portland Sustainability Education Network.
  2. A statement (up to 350 words) of your experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion, including how you have applied DEI within a program, organization, or network.
  3. A complete resume/curriculum vitae. 

GPSEN is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace.  All eligible community members are welcome to apply.  Reach out for accommodations, if needed.  All inquiries will be handled confidentially.  

Send application materials via email as a PDF to our GPSEN Board President, Owen Rudloff: orudloff1114@gmail.com.  Subject Line: GPSEN ED Application.

To learn more about GPSEN, visit: https://dev1.gpsen.org.