Montana Program Manager

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

The Montana Program Manager is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of EPI’s Yellowstone Wildlife Ecology Program. Primary responsibilities include planning, staffing, implementing, evaluating, and improving the Yellowstone field courses and outreach programs; and managing and developing all program partnerships. Additionally, the Montana Program Manager will support EPI’s program evaluation practices. The Montana Program Manager works with the Director of Academic Programs to ensure fiscally sound (i.e. accounting, recruitment, and fundraising) and legally compliant programs.

The position is based in Missoula, Montana with time spent in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The Montana Program Manager will oversee program staff including instructors, interns, and volunteers. The Montana Program Manager reports to the Director of Academic Programs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee implementation of EPI’s Yellowstone Wildlife Ecology Program: infuse program with strategic direction and guide to the fulfillment of long-term organizational goals; develop and manage organizational resources for program implementation
• Maximize safety, comfort and learning: Maintain high quality and effective program content while striving for operational efficiency; manage risk and promote safety of program; evaluate, assess, and improve program delivery;
• Program staffing: Recruit, hire, inspire, train, develop, guide and supervise the program staff and ensure collaboration and proper coordination with other staff at field sites and WHQ;
• Financial oversight of programs: Develop budget forecasts and work with program and WHQ staff to monitor spending, promote strategic cost management, and oversee monthly program accounting;
• Revenue generation: In collaboration with other staff, develop effective strategies for fundraising, student recruitment, pricing, promotions and program content; help identify potential income-producing and cost-cutting opportunities;
• Collaboration and outreach: Build, strengthen, and leverage key strategic partnerships with local and regional non-profit organizations and government agencies to achieve EPI’s mission and goals; serve as primary liaison with US partners as appropriate;
• Evaluation: Support EPI’s strategic Impact Evaluation goal by collaborating with staff across the organization to assess and report on EPI’s outcomes in addition to assisting with the implementation of improvements to program implementation.
• Best Practices: Ensure program activities fulfill EPI’s vision, mission, and strategic goals; stay fluent in “best practices” as they apply to regional conservation and environmental education. Evaluate existing and potentially new education and program offerings; ensure that program content is aligned with current proficiency requirements when appropriate;
• Special assignments: Oversee any special projects assigned by the Executive or Advancement Directors or Director of Academic Programs and designated as high priority;
• Positive attitude: Maintain good humor and apply professional, common-sense solutions to everyday challenges.

Tasks

Montana program management

• Organize program logistics with vendors (hotels, restaurants, etc.) and program partners
• Inventory, organize, purchase, and maintain program equipment
• Prepare paperwork for courses, lead course briefings and debriefings
• Assist with local student recruitment
• Hire, train, and supervise program instructors and interns
• Instruct courses as needed
• Ensure each MT course fulfills EPI’s educational, conservation, and cultural goals
• Contribute to regional awareness and support of EPI programming
• Maximize relationships and public education in the communities where we operate
• Maintain relationships with EPI’s partners and vendors before, during, and after program season, establish MOUs and agreements
• Oversee season schedule;
• Evaluate appropriateness of current logistics; work to improve efficiency, participant experience, and cost-benefit
• Increase connection to political figures, local media, and potential funding sources

Leadership and Communication:

• Provide leadership for MT program staff including instructors, interns, volunteers, and participants
• Represent EPI to partners, vendors, schools, government officials and within the local community and region;
• Make professional and good judgments;
• Serve as primary contact for program staff, partners, and vendors;
• Rotate 24-hour in-country on-call cell phone responsibilities with other staff during program season;
• Coordinate and share resources with program staff at other EPI program sites;

Risk management:

• Maximize safe learning environment for students during field and other activities
• Ensure that decisions regarding program delivery account for EPI’s risk management policies
• Communicate with students, teachers and parents before, during, and after program participation
• Play key role in administrative emergency response system

Staff management and supervision:

• Understand and stay abreast of in-country human resource policies and practices
• Hire and train program staff including instructors, interns, and volunteers;
• Supervise, motivate and inspire program staff, provide positive and constructive feedback, and conduct regular performance reviews of key staff;

Financial oversight:

• Develop program budget forecast and provide quarterly revisions to budget
• Provide monthly spending forecast for field season
• Review and submit account ledgers and staff payroll summaries monthly
• Oversee program petty cash and individual spending accounts
• Complete vendor contracts or Memorandums of Understanding and request payments
• Promote strategic cost management among all program staff

Evaluation

• Assist Director of Academic Programs in evaluating outcomes of EPI’s field programs at all sites
• Support development and revision of evaluation tools, resources, and guidelines used to track and report on education, conservation, and intercultural outcomes of EPI’s programs
• Assist in the writing, editing, and promotion of articles, posters, and presentations about EPI’s programmatic outcomes

Revenue Generation:

• Identify and cultivate potential funding sources
• Identify local donors and serve as primary contact for foundations and potential/existing donors, including adult trip participants and program visitors
• Assist with grant writing and reporting
• Enhance U.S. student recruitment efforts
• Maximize local student tuition and other earned income revenue as appropriate
• Identify other income producing opportunities (rentals, partnerships)

Qualifications
Required:
• Bachelor’s degree
• Three to five years or more experience in relevant positions, supervising staff, developing and executing educational programs, overseeing budgets and finances
• Two to three years experience in education leadership, including curriculum development, program implementation, and evaluation
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative program evaluation, ideally with an emphasis on evaluating educational programs

Preferred:
• Masters degree
• Experience working/ studying in Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
• Fluency in Spanish and English
• Wilderness First Responder Certification

Compensation: Salary $31 – $38,000 DOE – depending on experience, plus an excellent benefits package that includes paid time off, sick leave, holidays, health insurance, retirement and professional development.

Closing date: Position open until filled. Initial application review beginning December 21, 2011

Schedule: The MT Program Manager will work full-time in our Missoula office with time spent in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and occasional regional visits to participating schools.

To apply send or e-mail your cover letter, resume and 3 references to:
Ecology Project International
Attn: MT Program Manager Hiring
315 South 4th Street East
Missoula, MT 59801
hiring@ecologyproject.org