JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: Program Director

To be considered for this full-time, year-round position, please submit your resume, three references, responses to supplemental questions and a brief letter that addresses how your knowledge, skills, and experience will support the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation’s mission, vision, goals and objectives to: exec@bmwf.org or mail to Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation, P.O. Box 190688, Hungry Horse, MT 59919, attn: Paul Travis.

The starting date for this position will be September 1st. The salary is $24,000-$26,000, depending on experience, with benefits including vacation, sick leave and paid holidays. Other benefits include health insurance and IRA matching contribution. Travel and weekend availability is required, esp. in summer months; use of your personal vehicle will be necessary with mileage reimbursement at the standard government rate. This position is based at the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation office located in Hungry Horse, MT at the USFS Hungry Horse Ranger Station. Application packets must be in our office by July 3rd to be considered for the job.

Applicants are highly encouraged to visit the Bob Marshall Wilderness website at www.bmwf.org for more information.

BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS FOUNDATION MISSION STATEMENT
The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation (BMWF) assists in maintaining and restoring the trail system of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex with National Groups, Youth Groups, and individual volunteers. We foster wilderness stewardship skills and education through volunteer opportunities in Montana’s premier wilderness area and surrounding wild lands.

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION
The Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex (BMWC), located in northwest Montana, includes 1.5 million acres of designated wilderness consisting of the Great Bear, Bob Marshall, and Scapegoat Wilderness Areas. The wilderness complex is considered the crown jewel of the wilderness preservation system and is well known for its incredible scenery, wildlife, and recreational opportunities. As recreational funding allocated to the Forest Service continues to decline, the regular maintenance of trails and management of recreational use has greatly decreased in the BMWC.

The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation (BMWF) believes that the most effective way to alleviate the negative impact of recreational use is to preserve this wilderness trail system and heighten awareness about wilderness
stewardship. The BMWF works towards these goals by promoting volunteerism and educating people about the values of wilderness and the actions necessary to preserve and care for the land.

Working in cooperation with the Forest Service, the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation coordinates between 45-50 volunteer projects on an annual basis with local and national volunteer groups, youth-at-risk organizations, local schools, bible camps, community organizations, and individuals. Over 400 volunteers annually participate on our projects each year. Current volunteer opportunities are primarily ongoing trail maintenance projects that require work by volunteers to bring them up to standard and continued work to maintain them. Additional project work also includes campsite restoration projects, seed collection, and noxious weed mapping and treatment projects.

Other than the project work, one of the primary objectives of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation is to provide an opportunity for volunteers to interact with their landscape via outdoor and wilderness education while participating on trail maintenance and restoration projects. This is especially true of our many youth and youth-at-risk organization volunteer projects, as it is our hope that with added outdoor education, this will build a wilderness ethic and will encourage volunteers to be more invested with protection and care of their public lands.

JOB DESCRIPTION
The program director of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation is primarily an office position responsible for project planning and leadership as well as volunteer recruitment and training. The position requires some field going activities which will require occasional weekend work, flexible schedule and travel throughout western Montana. The Program Director is responsible for the following duties:

1. Project Planning:
   • Arrange meetings and communicate with Forest Service Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex managers to evaluate completed projects and plan for the future trail and restoration projects.
   • Work with national partner groups, local partner organizations and youth groups to develop projects for each field season. Create projects for individual volunteers (projects open to the public).
   • Plan projects and create specific itineraries including project locations, work goals, dates and support logistics.
     
2. Volunteer Recruitment:
• Recruit for volunteers by publishing opportunities in newsletters and website, and present at conferences, local meetings, and other outreach events.
• Work with local media contacts to announce volunteer opportunities.
• Draft volunteer opportunities for individual volunteers for the annual spring recruitment newsletter and the website.
• In cooperation with the Executive Director, contact any potential new volunteer groups for recruitment for volunteer projects.
  
3. Employee Management:
• Recruit, hire, supervise and evaluate crew leaders and office staff (5 staff).
• Update the crew leader manual on an annual basis which includes Forest Service and BMWF rules, regulations, and protocol.
• Create schedules for crew leaders. Adjust schedules throughout the summer to account for project prep time, tool maintenance, and scouting.
• Ensure the completion of employee paperwork including project reports, receipt tracking, timesheets, and other paperwork as required.
• Develop and oversee crew leader work throughout the summer including tool maintenance and on-the-ground work. Accompany each respective crew leader on at least one project each year.
• Oversee the training of the crew leaders including attendance at Forest Service Orientations, initial BMWF technical training, and outdoor education.
• Develop and manage the safety and education program for employees and volunteers.
4. Project Coordination:
• Ensure that each work project has an identified and trained crew leader that meets Forest Service requirements for safety, certifications, etc.
• Organize project logistics including location, scope of work, packing, supplies, communication plan, food, and tool coordination.
• Troubleshoot any logistical issues related to packing schedules, fire, and other unforeseen events.
• Ensure that any accidents and injuries are reported to the Forest Service.
• Coordinate with the Forest Service and/or volunteer groups to arrange training for volunteer partner groups.
• Lead volunteer projects as scheduled and provide hands-on training in trail maintenance, primitive tool use, Leave No Trace and interpretation of natural and cultural history.
  Inspect completed projects to insure quality and quantity of work are maintained.
• Present completed project information to Forest Service managers including volunteer hours tracking, accomplishments, etc.
  
5. Program Responsibilities
• Work closely with volunteer groups to ensure that required paperwork is completed and submitted in a timely manner. Submit volunteer paperwork to the respective Forest Service unit for review.
• Work with each volunteer partner group in putting together a trail agreement that outlines responsibilities and duties for each organization.
• Recognize volunteers after the completion of each project.
  Complete project reports for each project and report project accomplishments to the Forest Service.
• Oversee the inventory and coordinate maintenance on all BMWF tools and gear.
  Complete the program budget for project expenses and oversee employee purchases and financial reporting.
• Develop and give outreach presentations on the volunteer program and represent the BMWF at professional meetings, conventions and fundraisers.
• Attend BMWF Board Meetings, program committee and other meetings as assigned.
• This position works under the supervision of the Executive Director. The Program Director will assist on any projects in cooperation with the Executive Director as assigned including press releases, newsletters, website updates, and fundraiser duties.
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS
Qualifications may be met by any combination of education and experience that provide the knowledge, skills and abilities listed in the job description. Typically, the Program Director will have graduated from an accredited college with a major in wilderness management, recreation, natural resource management, outdoor education or closely-related field and have two years experience in a supervisory or administrative capacity. A current Wilderness First Responder or higher level certification is required as a condition of employment. Certification may be obtained between selection and actual employment and will be reimbursed by BMWF.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL POSSESS:

• Passion and belief in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation’s mission, vision, goals and objectives.
• Knowledge and experience with programs directly related to Bob Marshall Foundation.
• Experience with a government agency, outdoor program, or non-profit organization.
• Supervisory and outdoor education experience.
  Superior public speaking and oral communication skills.
• Trail maintenance and construction skills.
• High level of initiative, creative problem solving, and attention to detail.
• Wilderness living skills including Leave No Trace, GPS and map use, extended trips in the backcountry, etc.
• Proficient computer skills including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, National Geographic Topo map software.
• Additional experience that would be desirable for this position:
• Experience with youth and/or youth-at-risk.
• Experience in volunteer management.
  
• Knowledge of Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex trails.
  
• Newsletter layout, editing, and publishing (Adobe InDesign, Photoshop)
  
• Website design and updating (HTML or Dreamweaver)
  
• Stock packing experience
  

MANAGEMENT STYLE
In addition to the above, the ideal candidate will be:

• A team player; in touch with staff, management, and the community, willing to perform all of the responsibilities and duties necessary for the operation of an effective organization.
  
• Able to resolve conflicts and work calmly and effectively in sensitive situations.
  
• An effective communicator.
  
• A dependable, honest, and effective leader.
  
• A critical thinker with the courage to pursue good ideas and make sound judgements
  
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail
  

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS

1. What supervisory skills and experience will you bring to this position?
   
2. Please discuss your technical skills and knowledge in regards to trail maintenance, trail construction, wilderness restoration, and noxious weed eradication.
   
3. Describe your administrative skills and your ability to plan, organize and schedule multiple projects in an office and field setting.
   
4. Give an example of your ability to communicate orally and in writing. Give examples of public speaking and presentation experience. How have your past experiences prepared you for this position in regards to your communication skills?
   
5. Describe how your knowledge, skills and abilities will help you deal with varying viewpoints of volunteers, managers, and diverse organizations.
   

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Closing date for applications to be received by our office is July 3rd, 2009. Applications will be evaluated by committee once they are received. Applicants will be notified by July 10th, 2009 if they qualify for an interview. The starting date for this position will be September 1st, 2009.