KVLT Executive Director
JOB TITLE: Executive Director
SUMMARY OF POSITION: The Executive Director is the chief executive officer of the organization and works under the guidance of the President and in consultation with the Board of Directors and board committees. The land trust was organized in 1992 and was an all-volunteer organization until the creation of the Executive Director position in 2008. The Executive Director is currently the only full-time position. There are part-time positions for office administrative assistant and financial manager. The Board of Directors intends to expand the staff during 2021with the addition of a Land Manager position. When this position is created, the land protection and stewardship responsibilities will transition to this staff person, under the direction of the Executive Director.
In August 2020, KVLT submitted the final application materials to the Land Trust Alliance (LTA) for Accreditation. It is anticipated that final approval will be received in 2021. To date, the land trust has protected over 11,000 acres of land in the greater Catawba River Valley through conservation easements, land ownership, or transfer to other agencies.
DUTIES:
General duties (Governance):
- Provide support to the Board of Directors, its officers and committees. Prepare meeting agendas and distribute meeting materials as needed. Provide training materials to new Board members. Assist the KVLT Board in reviewing and updating the By-laws and policies as needed.
- Provide management of the KVLT office, including management of mail, computer equipment, communications, office maintenance, and other office functions.
- Direct and conduct organizational management functions and reports; insure that the land trust remains in good standing with the SC Secretary of State, review annual insurance needs; and assist the KVLT Board in the preparation of long-range plans.
- Complete the process of Accreditation with the LTA Accreditation Commission, provide requested information as needed.
- Direct and manage KVLT staff and assist the Personnel Committee in dealing with staff management issues.
Public information and membership services:
- Implement and expand the KVLT public communications program, including publication of newsletter, news releases, public information materials, and managing social media and the KVLT website.
- Maintain the list of KVLT members and other supporters and undertake communications with members to maintain their support and interest in the organization, including email lists.
- Work effectively with volunteers, encouraging their active participation in support projects and conservation activities.
- Assist the Board of Directors in planning and organizing annual meetings, general membership meetings, speaker series, outings, and other events for members and potential members.
External relations:
- Expand collaborative relationships with local, regional, state, and federal conservation organizations and agencies.
- Represent the land trust at conferences and meetings on the state, regional, and national levels, upon approval by the Board of Directors.
- Make presentations on the work of the land trust to public meetings and interest groups at the local and regional level.
Financial management duties:
- Manage the financial position of KVLT. Contract an annual financial audit (review).
- Work with the Treasurer and staff to ensure that the KVLT Financial Procedures Policy is followed and that financial activities are consistent with LTA Standards and Practices.
- Assist the Finance Committee in yearly budgeting, annual filing with the IRS, investment of long-term financial assets, and monitoring expenditures.
- Assist the Bookeeper on a monthly basis to review and reconcile monthly financial records and to assist with the preparation of financial reports for Board meetings.
- Direct and conduct fundraising activities, including undertaking fundraising and membership solicitations, donation acknowledgements, grant seeking, and developing ongoing relationships with corporate sponsors and foundations and public agencies.
Transactions:
- Working with the Land Management Committee, oversee the program of land conservation efforts, including the acquisition of conservation easements and the sales/acquisition of fee- simple properties.
- Insure that all land transactions (conservation easement and fee-simple properties) are consistent with KVLT policy and LTA Standards and Practices. Implement the KVLT property acquisition checklist to insure all paperwork is completed.
- Oversee the maintenance and security of all records, including property transactions, financial records, planned giving records, and others as described in the KVLT records policy and consistent with LTA standards and practices.
Stewardship:
- Oversee the annual monitoring of all Conservation Easements, correspondence with property owners, and potential easement violations and enforcement as needed. Maintain close communication and relations with land owners.
- Oversee the management of properties owned by KVLT, including annual monitoring, activities to enhance habitat and natural resource values, timber management planning, and utilization of the properties by the public, and enforcement where appropriate.
- Assist in development of comprehensive natural resource analyses of Chester, Kershaw and Lancaster counties and in developing master plans for the future work of the land trust.
- Oversee the property inventory and mapping program of the land trust to adequately document existing easements and properties, investigate potential property acquisitions, and participate in regional and statewide mapping initiatives.
