Employment Opportunity: Groundwork New Orleans Executive Director Background Groundwork New Orleans (GWNO) is an independent nonprofit trust within the Groundwork USA Network, an interagency cooperative initiative developed as part of an agreement between the National Park Service (NPS) Rivers and Trails Program and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Program. GWNO was established as a result of an EPA-funded environmental assessment that demonstrated the need for revitalization of urban areas affected by blight, crime, and environmental contamination in New Orleans. In cooperation with neighborhood leaders and other agencies working in the area, GWNO established a pilot project in the Central City neighborhood, which was identified as an underserved, predominantly low- income neighborhood afflicted by post-Katrina blight and a lack of resources. Recently, Groundwork has partnered with residents of the Lower Ninth Ward, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter (MLK) School, and Common Ground Relief to develop a youth-directed job training program in environmental stewardship called the Green Team. The Green Team is an entity of GWNO, and shares its fundamental mission with the Groundwork USA network “to bring about the sustained regeneration, improvement, and management of the physical environment by developing community-based partnerships that empower people, businesses, and organizations to promote environmental, economic and social well-being.” Groundwork, the Green Team, and partners organize and facilitate neighborhood drainage workshops, coastal restoration endeavors such as marsh plantings, and sustainable landscaping projects. With support from the EPA Urban Waters Program, GWNO is currently enacting a strategic plan to expand and grow the Green Team as a central component of its mission in the Lower Ninth Ward, metropolitan New Orleans, and coastal Louisiana. Position Description Groundwork New Orleans is seeking to hire an Executive Director to establish baseline fundraising, programming, board development, budgets, financial systems, and staffing. The Executive Director will be responsible for all operational aspects of building and sustaining Groundwork New Orleans. This includes working with the Board of Directors on strategic planning and financial management; hiring and managing staff and consultants; overseeing a broad range of planning, design, construction, stewardship, and education programs; building partnerships throughout the greater New Orleans community to accommodate needs and purposes consistent with Groundwork’s mission; representing Groundwork at local, regional and national events; fundraising and securing the necessary resources to meet the organization’s mission and goals; building and maintaining effective administrative and financial management systems; providing leadership on volunteer workdays; and developing and directing the Brownfields program. The Executive Director will report directly to the Groundwork New Orleans Board of Directors and will be able to draw from the expertise of the Board of Directors as well as a national network of Groundwork Trusts that have been bringing positive changes to their communities for many years. It will be the Executive Director’s charge to attract or create the resources, programs and systems to implement existing, ongoing, and new projects. The Director will be responsible for fulfilling the obligations of the task agreements with the NPS and EPA, and will work very closely with key stakeholders: the City of New Orleans, the local community, affiliated social justice and environmental organizations, local nonprofits, funders, and financial institutions to ensure successful execution of the mission. Prior Work Experience Candidates should have at least five years of relevant experience, including work in nonprofit management, local government, and/ or community development. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in science, education, or related field; Master’s or Ph.D. preferred Demonstrated commitment to facilitating diverse representation within the organization Demonstrated success in grant seeking, proposal writing, fund raising, and development Comfortable working with a Board of Directors and familiarity with non-profit setting Demonstrated management experience, including staff supervision and financial management/reporting Proven capacity to work with senior level corporate, philanthropic and public sector officials Leadership skills and ability to develop program vision Proven ability to work in a culturally diverse environment Project management experience Volunteer management experience Comfortable speaking in community forums and facilitating relationships among various sectors Ability to manage multiple agendas and operate effectively Strong interest in urban regeneration Exceptional interpersonal, written and oral communication skills Good organizational abilities; ability to work independently Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint, and internet communications Preference will be given to candidates who are familiar with New Orleans history and civic institutions and/or watershed management and water quality issues Ability to work outside Knowledge of native plants and ecosystems Strong technical skills regarding sustainable stormwater management and Brownfields Professional demeanor and attire Strong public-speaking and presentation skills Location The position will be located in New Orleans, Louisiana with occasional travel expected to conferences and other events. Groundwork New Orleans is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals including women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and LGBT individuals. To apply, please email a cover letter and resume with references and salary requirements.