Executive Director
The Wildlife Rescue Association of BC (WRA) is a charitable society that has provided leadership in rehabilitating wildlife and promoting the welfare of wild animals in the urban environment since 1979. Each year, the WRA cares for around 4,000 injured, orphaned, and pollution-damaged wild animals, and provides public education and outreach through its wildlife helpline, website, EarthFest community day, nature day camps, and more than 200 invited presentations and event displays throughout the Lower Mainland (www.wildliferescue.ca).
The WRA has become one of the premier wildlife rehabilitation centres in Canada. The organization is now seeking a new, full-time Executive Director (ED) to champion the WRA through its next phase of strategic renewal and growth. Accountable directly to the Board of Directors (BOD), the ED will nurture a culture of leadership with staff and volunteers. The ED will advocate and be in personal alignment with the organization’s mission, vision and values, and will ensure that funding priorities respond to current community needs. The ED will be responsible for managing the organization’s operations to support the strategic direction developed in partnership with the BOD.
Responsibilities
The scope of responsibility includes, but is not limited to, board relations and liaison; community relations and events; revenue generation and financial management; strategic and project planning; operational programs and resources; and administrative operations.
Governance
The ED provides support that best utilizes the talents and resources of the Board members; drafts policies for approval of the BOD; reviews existing policies on an annual basis; recommends growth strategies to the BOD; and serves on Board committees as required.
Leadership
The ED inspires a work culture of limitless possibility by encouraging growth of individual talents and strengths. Responsibility is assumed for exploring and applying initiatives that carry out WRA’s mission; developing operational plans, incorporating goals and objectives that reflect the strategic plan; and supporting staff in developing tactical plans that complement operational plans, on which performance may be measured. The ED works consistently to foster trusting work relationships among the BOD and staff.
Operations
The ED provides day-to-day administrative oversight and ensures all program activities are efficiently managed, follow best available practices and accepted standards, and are aligned with the WRA’s mission, vision and values. The ED is responsible for maintaining official records and compliance with federal, provincial and local regulations. S/he acts as Oil Spill Response Coordinator for WRA, working with wildlife regulatory agencies, the Oiled Wildlife Trust and the Oiled Wildlife Society of BC to manage related aspects of oiled wildlife preparedness and response. S/he also ensures that facilities and equipment are maintained and infrastructure is strengthened to provide staff and volunteers with the means to work well and safely.
Human Resources
The ED partners with the management team in hiring, mentoring and retaining qualified staff in accordance with legislation and regulations. Human resource policies, procedures and practices, are reviewed, analyzed and updated as needed and on a biennial basis. A staff performance management process is implemented and maintained, to promote work effectiveness, provide coaching, and support staff in improving skills.
Risk Management
The ED safeguards the ongoing development and implementation of health and safety programs and protocols to ensure a safe environment for WRA visitors, staff, volunteers and animals. This includes a Health and Safety Committee to actively address growing needs, circumstances and concerns. The ED takes responsibility for identifying, evaluating and mitigating risks to the organization’s finances, property, people, goodwill, and reputation. Other duties include routine review of insurance policies and ensuring that WRA personnel are advised and understand the terms, conditions and limitations of insurance coverage.
Financial Management
The ED is responsible for the fiscal integrity of WRA. This includes the preparation of government, foundation and donor funding proposals; the development and implementation of an annual budget; regular monitoring of financial performance and cash flow; and ongoing accurate and informative reports to the BOD.
Organizational Advancement
The ED supervises the creation and implementation of communications, marketing and development plans, and provides primary leadership for the enhancement of WRA’s public relations and profile by working closely with other professional, political, civic, environmental and private organizations. The ED acts as a primary spokesperson with the Board President and/or designated internal spokespersons.
Qualifications
The ideal ED candidate will have at least five years of successful professional experience as an ED in the charitable and/or non-profit sector, be able to demonstrate interests and involvement in environmental stewardship, and have the credentials to advocate strongly on WRA’s behalf within the community. A post-secondary education and relevant academic or professional qualifications would be considered assets.
Applicants will need to demonstrate competence in, and understand the importance of, the following:
Adaptability: Willingness to be flexible, resilient and versatile, and ability to understand and work in a changing and often demanding work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency.
Integrity: Professional, ethical behaviour and business practices, and ensuring that all staff behaviours consistently align with the values of WRA.
Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal skills that include the ability to motivate and manage communications in a way that fosters positive team associations and maintains respectful working relationships with others.
Teamwork: An ethic that promotes self-awareness and individual responsibility for behaviour, and creates a work environment that supports respectful communication and creative solutions to existing challenges.
Leadership: Creates a culture of inspiration that builds self-confidence and ownership for effective decision-making, and encourages individual and team growth where exploration and initiative is openly welcomed and success is celebrated.
Communications: Possesses a clear understanding of open listening and effective communication. Speaks and writes in a clear and effective manner, and uses superior presentation skills to build strong internal and external relationships.
Innovation: Entrepreneurial and dynamic approach, with the ability to explore and brainstorm unique ways to improve operations, and to identify and create new opportunities with staff and the BOD.
Compensation and Benefits: The annual salary ranges from $60,000 to $70,000, and is dependent on experience and qualifications. A generous benefits package is available upon successful completion of a probationary period.
Application Process: Applications for this position are being accepted until 17 January 2014 @ 5:00 p.m. Please provide your letter of interest and professional resume / CV to: recruitment@wildliferescue.ca
