Title: Co-Executive Director

POSITION DURATION 

After a six-month evaluation period, the position becomes permanent (subject to positive performance review).

PRIMARY PURPOSE/FUNCTION

The primary responsibilities of this position will be to work alongside the organization's other Co-Executive Director to: 

• • Ensure BEAT’s smooth operations, including long-term planning (budgeting, strategic planning, etc.) and day-to-day functions (human resources, accounting, budget management, etc.). 
  • Direct BEAT’s programs and projects on the basis of sound environmental science. Keep up-to-date with current environmental science papers, breaking news, research, and legislation pertaining to BEAT’s work areas.
  • Prepare grant applications and reports to funders. Develop relationships with individual donors, cultivate relationships with prospective donors, and maintain strong working relationships with a range of foundations. 
  • Give presentations, meet with community members, and communicate with funders to raise awareness of BEAT’s work and protect the organization’s long-term financial sustainability.
  • Strategically organize the long-term capacity, coherence, and viability of BEAT’s programs in keeping with its mission. 
  • Steward BEAT’s Environmental Leadership and Education Center as it undergoes a second capital campaign for renovations, making it into a net zero energy, fossil fuel-free hub. Oversee the design and development of environmental science exhibits that link principles to real-life advocacy. 
  • Support BEAT’s programs in the areas of clean energy, protections for wildlife, pollution regulation. Maintain the organization’s involvement in existing partnerships and coalitions.
  • Receive reports from community members about potential environmental problems. This involves evaluating potential harms to the local environment, assisting community members in taking action, and linking local issues to broader systemic and regional concerns.
  • Report quarterly to the full board and provide weekly reports to the board’s finance committee.
  • Participate in BEAT’s programs and supervise BEAT’s staff who work on issues such as:
• Stewardship: Water sampling, river cleanups, removing invasive hardy kiwi, and advocating for wildlife habitat connectivity. 
• Education and Outreach: Producing an educational bi-weekly newsletter, hosting workshops on involvement in governmental processes, hosting a monthly Green Drinks speaker, organizing tree walks, and teaching zero-waste strategies.
• Watchdogging: Responding to environmental threats of all kinds in the Berkshires, including existing and proposed fossil fuel infrastructure, E. Coli in river systems, air pollution, and more. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This is a supervisory position. You will be expected to step into a leadership role and direct the organization’s capacity-building and strategic efforts.

BEAT has a small staff of 6 FTE. The organization currently also employs several part-time temporary employees whose work is part of a three-year EPA air quality monitoring program.

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION

BEAT has a strong anti-discrimination policy that outlines the organization’s commitments as an equal opportunity employer and as a community leader. This role requires embodying and upholding these commitments. 

REQUIREMENTS

• At least four years of related work experience, such as nonprofit administration, community organizing, policy advocacy, campaign and coalition building, etc.  
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Nonprofit leadership experience, including financial and administrative experience
• Written and oral communication skills, including public speaking ability
• Scientific reasoning skills and ability to critically evaluate peer-reviewed scientific literature
• Comfort and leadership capacity in outdoor settings in a variety of conditions
• Passion for preventing pollution, protecting wildlife, and making both local and broader systems change
• Experience and enthusiasm about working with diverse groups of people
• Strong fundraising ability, including through grant writing and building individual donor relationships
• Conflict management skills
• Ability to both lead and raise up those with whom you work

PREFERENCE

• Spanish language skills
• Knowledge of key environmental laws (e.g. MA Wetlands Protection Act, U.S. Clean Water Act, and U.S. Clean Air Act)
• First aid and CPR certifications
• Experience with cooperative and/or collaborative working environments and decision making processe

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The person in this position needs to be able to remain in a stationary position and operate a computer, printer, and other office equipment for between 75-100% of each workday. 
• The person in this position must be able to communicate information and ideas so they are understandable to staff and community members.
• The role involves occasional work in outdoor weather conditions. 
• The role requires regularly working in-person from BEAT’s Education and Leadership Center (located at 20 Chapel Street in Pittsfield, Massachusetts).

WAGE/BENEFITS

Salary: $55,000–$60,000

Benefits:

• 75% cost share for health insurance*
• 4 weeks of paid vacation,** plus paid time off between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• 5 paid sick leave days
• 12 paid flex holidays 

*Beginning 30 days after hire date

**Beginning three months after hire date