Director of Programs

Position Type: Full Time, Exempt  
Salary: Negotiable/DOE 
Benefits: Health, dental, vision, life & long-term disability insurance, paid time off (vacation, sick, holidays), employee assistance program, membership privileges, professional development, 403(b) plan, and a casual work environment. 

Are you excited about the prospect of leading nature-based programming efforts that have a legacy of impact across our community?  Are you passionate about developing programs to address community needs?  Are you inspired by birds of prey and other critters that call our Forest home? 

Would you like to be part of a team that supports education and conservation in one of Nebraska’s most beautiful natural areas? Apply to join the Fontenelle Forest team as our Director of Programs! 

JOB SUMMARY  
The Director of Programs provides vision and leadership for the education and raptor departments and effectively manages a team composed of teachers, naturalists, interpreters, animal care specialists, raptor handlers, managers, and volunteers. The ideal candidate for this leadership role will be an experienced strategic team leader and a creative thinker who embraces and exemplifies Fontenelle Forest’s (the Forest) mission, vision, and values. This position reports to the Executive Director and serves as a member of the leadership team.   

ORGANIZATION 
Founded in 1913, Fontenelle Forest is one of Nebraska’s oldest conservation organizations and one of the largest private nature centers in the nation. Fontenelle Forest owns and manages Fontenelle Forest in Bellevue and Neale Woods in Omaha. The properties encompass over 2,100 acres of forest, prairie, and wetlands along the Missouri River in the geographically significant Loess Hills. Fontenelle Forest aspires to be a national leader in environmental stewardship and education and the region’s premier nature center. Fontenelle Forest embraces the values of Integrity, Stewardship, Excellence, Engagement, and Sustainability.  

Fontenelle Forest values its employees and is committed to maintaining a positive working environment; a culture and a value proposition that attracts and retains top, diverse talent. Beyond a personal commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we are looking for candidates with a strong commitment to integrating equity and inclusion best practices into programs and services. People who have lived experience in historically marginalized and excluded communities are especially encouraged to apply. 

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Guide the growth and development of the Forest’s complete range of educational programming.  

• Provide vision and leadership that advances the Forest’s progress in accomplishing its vision to be a national leader in environmental education through implementation of their current strategic plan. 

• Design and implement strategic goals and associated metrics of success to support sustainable growth of program participants, impact and earned revenue. 

• Build a structure of state-wide partners to increase visibility of the Forest and its programs in surrounding communities. 

• Hire, train, and lead a diverse team that embraces the Forest’s values. 

• Lead alignment and implementation of all education and raptor programs and services with the Forest’s overall organizational vision and direction.  

• Implement quantitative and qualitative program evaluation processes that enable Fontenelle Forest to measure and demonstrate program impact. 

• Develop partnerships with like-minded organizations to deliver programs and achieve learning outcomes; execute program agreements. 

• Lead staff in the design of educational and raptor programs and services including on-/off-site programs, adult and senior programs, workshops, outreach programs, camps and recreational programs, and informal education experiences. 

• Increase the Forest’s visibility, credibility, and contribution to education and raptors related initiatives and dialogues locally, regionally, and nationally. 

• In concert with Forest leadership, develop a comprehensive interpretive plan for all education programs and initiatives within the Forest’s departments. 

• Through a collaborative process, develop and manage education and raptor department budgets and allocate department resources strategically.  

• Regular and consistent growth in revenue and participation metrics on an annual basis through the development of personal benchmarks and measures of success. 

• Collaborate across departments on grant writing and reporting, program/event marketing, and communicating department outcomes and stories of impact. 

• Oversee the development, documentation, revision, implementation and compliance with all internal practices and policies as well as state and federal requirements for educational standards, working with children, raptor acquisition and raptor volunteer handling.  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor's degree or higher in education, environmental education, science, environmental studies, early childhood education with experience in environmental education, or a related field 

• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in nature or science education, outdoor learning, and interpretation required. 

• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in leadership and supervision of staff, fiscal management, and administration required. 

• Ability to work independently and as a team with a diverse group of people. 

• Must be a strong communicator with excellent verbal and written communication skills. 

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and must have own vehicle. 

• Ability to pass a criminal background check. 

• Ability to work some evenings and weekends. 

• Ability to travel as may be required on a limited basis. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for at least 50-75% of the time while working at a desk/computer. 

• Person in this position will occasionally lead education and public program groups.  Must be able to stand and traverse/ascend/descend dirt trails and walking paths for up to 2 hours at a time. 

• Occasionally works in outdoor environments in all weather conditions. 

• Frequent exposure to animal odors, allergens and animal waste.  

• Ability to lift and move up to a minimum of 40 pounds. 

To Apply: Applications will be accepted only by email. Please send a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to info@fontenelleforest.org and include “Director of Programs” in the subject line. 

Fontenelle Forest is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran in the administration of any of its employment related policies and practices. 

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