Job Title:  Executive Director 
Division:   West Virginia Conservation Agency
Headquarters: Guthrie Agriculture Complex, Charleston, WV 
FSLA:  Exempt 
Salary:  $85,000 - $110,500 
Complete application,cover letter/letter of interest and resume are required. 

Nature of Work:
The Executive Director of West Virginia Conservation Agency, as an employee of the State Conservation Committee (SCC) performs highly responsible administrative and professional work in planning, organizing, and directing various programs for the SCC and is the senior administrative officer responsible for the administration, management, and operation of the West Virginia Conservation Agency (WVCA) to include planning, organizing, and directing the activities of managerial, professional, technical, and administrative personnel. The Executive Director develops and administers the WVCA budget; is responsible for personnel actions relating to WVCA staff to include hiring, advancement, performance evaluation and training. The Executive Director oversees and directs the affairs of the SCC for both formal and informal issues with WV’s conservation districts, local, state, and federal agencies, agencies in other states and with public interest groups and associations. The Executive Director functions as a legislative liaison for the SCC to ensure that issues in which the SCC has interest are fully represented before the Legislature. The Executive Director will advise the SCC and staff on important government affairs and conservation issues. The Executive Director coordinates activities with the various private, state, and federal partnership members to ensure the timely and effective dissemination of information; directs the development of policies and procedures and ethical standards for the effective operation of the Committee. The Executive Director interfaces with various multi-jurisdictional and multi-level officials: local, state, federal, academic, business, and private. The Executive Director performs related work as required.

Work Environment: This position combines an office environment and fieldwork that may include traversing rough terrain, exposure to inclement weather, aerial flights, operation of small watercraft, operation of government vehicle, use of biosecurity measures, and the ability to lift to 40 lbs. In-state and out-of-state travel with overnight stays is required.

Examples of Work:

• Directs personnel, budgetary, fiscal management, outreach, administrative and programmatic functions of the WVCA.
• Appears before legislative committees and monitors the status of legislative bills impacting programs and projects; reviews and evaluates proposed legislation at the state and federal levels; advises SCC, conservation districts, and staff on impact of legislation.
• Communicates regularly with SCC on condition of the WVCA relative to fiscal operations, administrative activities, and programs.
• Regularly interacts with the conservation districts, WV congressional delegation, federal agencies, the Governor, Legislature, state agencies, county commissions, cities, local public officials, and the general public.
• Conducts staff meetings to disseminate information, coordinate staff activities, and provide for the efficient utilization of human resources.
• Coordinates plans and programs with conservation districts, city, county, state, and federal entities.
• Coordinates with SCC, and other agencies to ensure the timely production of reports, studies or other information relating to issues before conservation districts, congressional, legislative, or other governmental bodies; oversees the preparation and review of speeches and other presentations to government and public or private groups.
• Determines budgetary needs and projections for single or multi-year operational cycles, develops an annual budget; develops funding sources for programs and projects, determines priorities based on needs and available funding, plans, and presents budget requests before the state budget office and appropriate legislative committees.
• Develops comprehensive plans and administers programs regarding the conservation, development, protection, and use of natural resources of the state.
• Directs all procurement and contract management.
• Directs research and statistical activity to gather and analyze data, and prepares proposals for submission to the SCC, the Legislature, the Governor, and others.
• Directs the non-point source program for agriculture, develops agency policies, and works with federal agencies to ensure that funding is consistent with state goals and objectives and in conformance with federal requirements.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of existing WVCA programs and initiatives; advises the SCC, conservation districts, and staff on areas of program improvement and enhancement.
• Functions as legislative liaison between the SCC and conservation districts, members of Congress, the State Legislature, the Governor’s Office, and local governments; oversees the government relations activities with public utility regulatory bodies in other states and with public interest groups and trade or business associations.
• Keeps the SCC and conservation districts informed of status and progress of planning and implementation of programs and projects through board meetings and oral and written reports.
• Prescribes personnel guidelines, salary levels, promotions, salary increases, suspensions and dismissals.
• Provides policy suggestions to legislative and congressional staff and handles problems for legislative and congressional offices by request.
• Provides policy suggestions to Governor’s staff and handles problems for the Governor’s Office by request.
• Recommends and oversees development of programs as well as legislative and administrative procedures necessary to maintain conservation activities consistent with current needs and SCC policy.
• Represents the SCC and conservation districts at various local or national meetings and before public or private groups; assists legal and technical staff in researching important public issues; assures the timely dissemination of research project or study results.
• Review status and progress reports, consults with operating personal, and visits work sites to keep aware of problems and progress and provides remedial action as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to analyze and evaluate public issues and provide sound advice to conservation districts the SCC and staff.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to exercise independent judgement, delegate authority, and evaluate performance in a stressful environment.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct a comprehensive and effective government relations program.
• Ability to comprehend and interpret statistical data, theory, principles, laws, regulations, policies; draw valid conclusions; develop and execute an effective course of action.
• Ability to develop and implement an agency budget.
• Ability to direct and coordinate a variety of programs, administrative, and fiscal activities.
• Ability to effectively direct senior level management personnel.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, staff, conservation district supervisors, state and federal officials, members of Congress, the state legislature, the media, public interest and advocacy groups, trade and private associations, and the general public.
• Ability to establish program standards, internal controls, and to monitor and evaluate program administration, and the delivery of services.
• Ability to evaluate and propose legislation and legislative rules.
• Ability to set priorities and follow up effectively.
• Ability to speak effectively before large groups, associations, and media events on the organization and programs of the SCC and to address potentially controversial public or regulatory issues.
• Knowledge of procedures for federal funding and reimbursement from FEMA, USDA, and other federal cooperators.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws; government interrelationships, organizational structure, and protocols; federal and state legislative processes and judicial procedures.
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of management, project financing, human resource management, including dispute resolution, organization, planning, staffing, training, budgeting, and accounting.
• Knowledge of public policy implementation standards for government projects and programs related to agriculture and conservation matters.
• Knowledge of SCC Administrative Rules, WVCA Policy Manual, travel regulations, and state purchasing regulations.
• Knowledge of state budget process.
• Knowledge of the organization, leadership, and committees of relevant federal and state government; of the legislative process and of the operation of oversight committees.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration, journalism, public relations, and communications.
• Skill in Microsoft Office Suite software.
• Skill in persuading and dissuading others on matters relating to public issues at the state and federal levels and before government and public interest and associations.

Minimum Qualifications:
Training (Education): Bachelor’s Degree in Conservation, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Public Administration, or relevant field from an accredited four (4) year college or university required. Master’s Degree preferred.
Required Experience: Minimum eight (8) years of full-time work experience with proven record of senior management leadership role as well as significant budgetary and personnel responsibilities. Experience in agriculture, conservation, strategic planning, ability to work with a board of directors’ organizational structure, elected officials, and outside stakeholders, and serving a wide geographic area preferred.

Additional Requirements:

• Dependable, insured transportation required.
• Pre-employment drug and alcohol testing.
• Pre-employment law enforcement background investigation including DMV records.
• Valid West Virginia driver’s license required (or must be obtained).

                                 West Virginia Conservation Agency is an equal opportunity employer.