The Organization:  Flat Rock Brook Nature Association is a nonprofit organization whose dual mission is to provide environmental education programs to the public and to properly maintain the 150 acres under our supervision. The preserve includes 3.6 miles of trails traversing diverse habitats including pond, stream, meadow and forest ecosystems. Through hands-on classes at our facility and in schools, public programs, scout walks and more, Flat Rock Brook educates more than 5,000 people a year.  Our facility attracts over 75,000 visitors each year from throughout the greater Bergen County region.

The Position: Flat Rock Brook Nature Association in Englewood, New Jersey is seeking a Director of Mission Operations (DMO) who is responsible for the oversight and operation of all program and land management activities at our 150 acre nature preserve. The DMO is expected to be knowledgeable in environmental education and land resource management activities, develop and maintain efficient operating systems, and manage a professional staff of educators and buildings and grounds staffers.

Time Commitment:  Full-time with some weekend and evening hours required as needed.  Flex-time and work from home options potentially available.

Functions and Duties:

Education and Programming –

• Supervise, evaluate, and train paid staff of Naturalists and Interns, and volunteer Trail Guides, apprentices and counselors to support program goals 
• Coordinate onsite and outreach program activities including creating/updating program curricula, volunteer Trail Guide training, scheduling classes and post-program evaluations
• Responsible oversight and effective management of a NJ licensed Summer Nature Day Camp
• Evaluate staff and program offerings and update as needed to ensure fresh quality environmental education programming that meets the NJ Student Learning Standards
• Implement new Environmental Pathways program with local public high school to use our facility as a living laboratory for research, while also providing youth wellness and leadership training
• Create program calendar of events and public program schedule including weekend offerings and recruit guest presenters/lecturers as needed
• Work effectively with the Board of Trustee’s Education Committee to provide strategic plans, goals and objectives for the Education program
• Engage in concept planning, design development and implementation of education related capital projects for our exhibit room, planned outdoor classrooms, play spaces, aviary etc.

Land Resource Management –

• Manage staff of part-time Land Stewards, a Facilities and Operations Assistant and volunteers who maintain the Nature Center’s trails and natural resources
• Develop projects and plans that improve habitat for species of interest to FRBNA 
• Implement 10-year Forest Stewardship Plan (2014-2024)
• Work closely with Land Stewardship and Gardening Committees on ongoing flora and fauna studies
• Providing oversight of native and invasive species at our facility utilizing GPS/GIS technologies to assess environmental, habitat, and land use concerns
• Work with Building Committee to ensure our building structures are sustainable using best practices
• Partner with local universities, government institutions, and other land resource entities to conduct ecological & environmental research to further the scientific knowledge of FRBNA’s natural resources 
• Communicating regularly with land management and education staff to make sure that programmatic and organizational tasks are being completed throughout the departments

Operational Oversight -

• Design, plan and implement education and land management operational strategies
• Oversee daily operations and work of program staff and volunteers 
• Coordinate organizational systems, technology, tasks and calendars
• Evaluate operational success and interpret data and metrics for efficiency
• Prepare operational and management budgets, reports and staffing reviews as needed
• Utilize best practices from similar organizations to improve Nature Center operations
• Build/coordinate wellness & social activities for staff in conjunction with Executive Director

Administrative -

• In conjunction with Executive Director, manage the education and land resource program budgets
• Assist the Executive Director and Development Director in all aspects of grant writing and implementation
• Maintain correspondence and filing system to ensure that proper documentation is readily available to create/maintain an effective tracking system of participants/demographics and online analytics

Additional Responsibilities -

• Assist and help coordinate special events as requested in conjunction with event committees; Responsible for successfully overseeing and executing annual Great Fall Festival
• Assist/provide oversight of education and land resource management staff in the proper care of captive animals to be utilized in educational programming and public viewing
• Prepare seasonal displays for the Nature Center ensuring that our educational displays are fresh and changing to maintain interest throughout the year
• The DMO is also expected to perform other duties as requested by the Executive Director

Qualifications:

• At least 5 years of experience managing program staff and volunteers in a Nature Center, park system or educational setting
• Good computer skills, and familiarity with GPS/GIS a plus
• Experience in deer management and invasive species control a plus
• Ability to work with volunteers, government entities, peer organizations, and research institutions is a requirement
• Current First Aid/ CPR/ Wilderness First Aid certification or ability to obtain
• Background check/ criminal history check required
• Candidate must be willing to work occasional weekends and evenings

Expected Start Date: September 2022

Salary Range: $55,000-$65,000 per year depending on relevant management experience

Benefits: FRB provides 100% paid medical and dental insurance for full-time employees; Vacation, personal, sick and compensatory time. Retirement plan with organizational matching available.