Summary 
The Director of Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center provides leadership, strategic planning, and operational oversight for Howell Woods, a regional natural resource, environmental education, and outdoor recreation center owned and operated by Johnston Community College. The Director develops and implements programs and initiatives that support environmental education, recreation, research, conservation, and community engagement while ensuring alignment with the mission of the College.

The Director manages the natural resources and facilities of Howell Woods, oversees environmental education and recreational programming, cultivates partnerships with community organizations and governmental agencies, and promotes the Center as a regional hub for environmental learning, conservation, and outdoor recreation. This position also supervises staff, coordinates volunteers and advisory groups, and manages the operational and financial functions of the Center.

Knowledge & Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Provides strategic leadership for the Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center, ensuring programs, operations, and initiatives align with the mission and priorities of Johnston Community College.
• Directs the planning, development, and implementation of environmental education, recreation, and outreach programs that support learning, conservation, and community engagement.
• Oversees stewardship and long-term management of Howell Woods’ natural resources, including implementation of the Center’s natural resource management plan and coordination of research and conservation activities with external agencies and organizations.
• Leads the development of new recreational and public access opportunities that enhance visitor engagement while protecting natural resources.
• Cultivates and maintains strategic partnerships with community organizations, government agencies, nonprofits, educational institutions, and private landowners to advance the mission of Howell Woods.
• Represents Howell Woods and Johnston Community College in regional and statewide meetings, coalitions, and public forums related to environmental education, conservation, and outdoor recreation.
• Chairs the Howell Woods Advisory Council, providing leadership and strategic guidance to ensure the council’s activities support the mission, vision, and long-term goals of Howell Woods and Johnston Community College.
• Promotes Howell Woods as a regional center for environmental education, research, and outdoor recreation through public engagement, strategic communications, and community presentations.
• Provides leadership for public programs, interpretive initiatives, school programs, and signature events that increase community awareness and participation in the Center’s activities.
• Directs land use and operational activities at Howell Woods, including hunting programs, firing range activities, and other recreational uses, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards.
• Leads planning for facility improvements, infrastructure development, and maintenance initiatives that support the long-term sustainability and accessibility of the property.
• Oversees operational planning, budgeting, and resource allocation for the Center, ensuring responsible stewardship of financial and physical resources.
• Provides leadership for revenue-generating initiatives that support Howell Woods operations and programming, including managed hunting programs, responsible natural resource utilization, and other mission-aligned opportunities that balance conservation, education, and financial sustainability.
• Directs outreach and communication efforts including presentations, publications, digital content, and media engagement to increase awareness of Howell Woods programs and opportunities.
• Leads volunteer engagement initiatives, including coordination with community volunteers and advisory groups to support the Center’s programs and mission.
• Collaborates with Johnston Community College departments to integrate Howell Woods resources into academic programming, workforce development, and community education initiatives.
• Supports field-based learning, research, and demonstration activities that utilize Howell Woods as a living laboratory for environmental education, conservation, and natural resource management.
• Identifies and supports opportunities for grants, partnerships, and external resources that advance environmental education, conservation, and program development at Howell Woods.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities                   
Directly supervises employees working at the Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center. Provides leadership, guidance, and performance oversight in accordance with college policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include hiring and onboarding staff, assigning and directing work, evaluating performance, supporting professional development, and addressing personnel matters. Minimum & Preferred Qualifications

Qualifications 
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, environmental science, parks and recreation administration, public administration, or a closely related field.

Education Preferred: Master’s degree in natural resource management, environmental science, parks and recreation administration, public administration, or a closely related field.

Experience Minimum:  Three to five years of progressively responsible professional experience in environmental education, natural resource management, outdoor recreation management, or related program administration, including experience leading programs, projects, or initiatives and working collaboratively with community or organizational partners.  Experience supervising staff, coordinating volunteers, or managing multi-stakeholder initiatives is beneficial.

The ideal candidate demonstrates a passion for conservation and environmental education, a commitment to expanding inclusive access to outdoor spaces, and the ability to build strong partnerships while leading complex projects and programs.

Additional Information

Language Skills                   
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional documents such as safety guidelines, operating procedures, and policy manuals. Ability to prepare reports and correspondence and effectively present information to community groups, students, staff, and organizational leadership.

Mathematical Skills                   
Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute ratios, percentages, and interpret basic data visualizations such as charts and graphs.

Reasoning Ability                   
Ability to apply sound judgment and common-sense reasoning to carry out written and oral instructions and to address operational issues involving multiple variables in both structured and dynamic environments.

Computer Skills                   
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Familiarity with communication and outreach platforms such as social media and email marketing tools. Experience with specialized environmental or research software is beneficial.

Physical Demands 
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit and climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment 
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions.