Location: Field Office Location: New Bern, NC

ENC Programming Region: Pamlico, Beaufort, Craven, Onslow, Carteret, Jones, and Lenoir

Summary

Muddy Sneakers is an outdoor science education nonprofit focused on connecting 5th-grade public school students to their science curriculum through repeat learning experiences in an outdoor classroom setting.  Muddy Sneakers offers the opportunity to work for a leading science/EE organization alongside a talented and invested staff in an effort to cultivate a future generation of connected and mindful citizens.

In an ENC Field Office Director (FOD), Muddy Sneakers is looking for an individual who is inspired by the organization’s mission and possesses the skills necessary to advance our unique education model. The ENC Field Office Director specifically plays a critical role in leading, challenging and inspiring the ENC administrative team. Additionally, this person will be an integral extension of the home office in collaborating with and sometimes leading regional outreach, development, and partner relations efforts as the face of the organization in these new coastal communities. 

Essential Functions

• ● Effectively communicate in both verbal and written communications
• ● Listen to and comprehend oral communication
• ● Read written documentation both on paper and on screen
• ● Be comfortable and work effectively in an outdoor or natural setting
• ● Be comfortable and work effectively in an office setting
• ● Recognize and respond positively to social cues
• ● Comfortable making difficult decisions in stressful situations with full knowledge of organizational policy and procedure
• ● Utilize discretion when faced with sensitive issues that could impact individual parties involved in/with Muddy Sneakers or the organization as a whole
• ● Work independently and as a team, be comfortable in group settings and respect a chain of command

The ENC Field Office Director is a full-time, 12-month position that reports directly to the Executive Director. This position has responsibility for overseeing the entirety of operations associated with Muddy Sneakers’ ENC Field Office to include:

Administrative Tasks:

• All administrative tasks necessary for successful implementation of ENC programming
• Report regularly as scheduled to Executive Director with programming updates and, as requested, present on programming related topics before the Board of Directors
• Annual site permit coordination

Financial Tasks:

• Financial/budgetary oversight of all expenses associated with Field Office and regional operations.
• Coordinate annual programming budget and in coordination with Field Office Directors and Executive Director
• Work closely with the ENC admin staff in conducting periodic budget evaluations
• Close record keeping of all expenditures tied to grant funding for auditing and reporting purposes

Outreach/Development/Community Relations:

• Serve as the regional ‘face’ of ENC operations including working collaboratively with the Communications Coordinator, Development Officer and Executive Director in furtherance of regional marketing, development and legislative efforts.
• Manage strategic partnerships to include leadership-level relations with land agencies (federal, state, county and municipal), conservation groups, schools, districts, press relations, etc.
• Collaborating with organizational leadership on visioning and strategy development in furtherance of sustainable growth for the ENC Field Office and regional operations
• Collaborating with fellow Field Office Directors across Muddy Sneakers program areas in promotion of clear communication, organizational consistency and continuity.
• Collaborate with Home Office staff to produce the bi-annual Muddy Sneakers’ newsletter and other print materials as needed

Education and Program Monitoring:

• Oversight for both school year operations and prospective Camp Muddy Sneakers summer operations should the organization eventually expand that offering to the eastern region
• Provide leadership to the organization in order to produce exceptional programs for students and high-quality program delivery
• Communication with school districts, some school personnel, and education partners
• Ensure field office is annually or biannually collecting qualitative feedback from teachers, parents, partners, and students

Data Collection, Education Relevance, and Research:

• Stay up to date with NC DPI curriculum changes and ensure the office is tracking each partner school’s annual end-of-grade (EOG) scoring
• Assist as necessary with staff and research partners (ex: NC State University) on research collaborations to include student measurements, collecting qualitative feedback from teachers, parents, and students, etc.
• Collaborate in the management of the multiyear NC State University (NCSU)/MS research project(s) serving as a voice and ear to the participating schools/districts/field instructors

Personnel and Staff Support

• Responsibility for attracting, recruiting and maintaining a highly trained and qualified ENC Field Office staff.
• Direct management responsibility for the following ENC admin staff: Program Director, Admin Assistant and any contracted services. Also, eventual responsibility for a ENC Camp Muddy Sneakers Director should one be hired.
• Management of HR responsibilities associated with the ENC Field Office admin staff in coordination with Muddy Sneakers Home Office Team
• Lead the Field Office staff with integrity while providing a strong foundation for the organization’s future through maintaining excellent partner relations, implementing financially sound practices and ensuring the deliverance of quality curriculum and exceptional programs that are ever improving for partnering schools.
• Foster strong communication and relationships throughout the staff
• Manage biannual staff evaluations in person, assist in establishing and monitoring employee goals and execute a biannual performance review process.
• Organize and manage ENC admin staff meetings as needed to successfully execute the organization’s initiatives

Staff and Board Meetings/Trainings:

• Prepare reporting for and attend as requested for all Board of Director meetings
• Assist ENC Program Director in planning, implementing, and facilitating periodic meetings and trainings for field staff.
• Assist in planning when needed and attend all MS admin meetings, trainings, and retreats

Experience and Attributes

• Engagement and genuine alignment with the mission of Muddy Sneakers
• Appreciation for people and their diversity, coupled with an ability to relate well and work with multiple constituencies and audiences;
• Creative, entrepreneurial and strategic thinking;
• Storytelling and communications skills; articulate and persuasive with a desire to build authentic relationships with donors and others;
• Resiliency, initiative, and the ability to work independently;
• A minimum of a BA/BS degree in a related field
• A minimum of 5 years experience in non-profit leadership, education administration or a related field, with a preference for experience in experiential education and program administration;
• Strong leadership capabilities including experience managing staff and holding administrative responsibilities
• Sound business judgment and demonstrated ability in financial management
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including experience networking
• Experience with basic fundraising and grant writing