Executive Director

POSITION SPECIFICS​

Penn State Outreach is seeking an experienced and visionary Executive Director to lead our Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, a robust University and community resource located within Penn State’s 7,000-acre Stone Valley Forest in the heart of central Pennsylvania. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional leadership skills to inspire our team, engage our community, foster discovery, and encourage a culture of innovation and sustainable practices in keeping with the center’s mission.

The Executive Director ensures the success of educational programming through strategic planning, staff management, financial stability, engaged scholarship, and strong partnerships. Reporting to the Vice President for Outreach, the executive director will be tasked with maintaining high-impact, best-practice programs that meet community needs while upholding safety, sustainability, and excellence in experiential education.

Through hands-on leadership, the executive director is responsible for curating the space and leading a team of professionals who create and support immersive experiences that foster human connection and promote caring and lasting relationships with the natural world. This role involves stewarding partnerships both internally and externally. Internally, the executive director must maintain and enhance connections with Penn State’s academic colleges to leverage Shaver’s Creek’s expertise and unique resources, effectively extending classroom learning. Externally, the executive director collaborates with various groups through strategic alignment of programming to enhance connections to local, regional, and national audiences.

Success in this position requires:

• A passion for experiential education and creating opportunities that leave a lasting impact on a diversity of participants and visitors.
• Innovative leadership and the ability to implement a clear strategic vision for the organization that inspires staff, volunteers and stakeholders to embrace shared goals that are aligned with Penn State and Penn State Outreach priorities.
• Proven ability to make informed and effective decisions in developing, implementing, and monitoring the scope of services as well as programmatic, course enrollment, staffing, and budgetary elements that are aligned with fiscal goals.
• Strong personnel management experience and skills including a history of success in coaching and developing staff, performance management, building high-functioning teams, and driving positive workplace culture.
• Proven track record as a financially responsible budget manager.

Additional responsibilities of the position include:

• Leading a dynamic team of 25 dedicated individuals who manage and support Penn State students, emerging professionals, and passionate volunteers.
• Communicating and engaging regularly with the staff and thoughtfully considering organizational needs in decision-making processes.
• Managing complex budgets to ensure fiscal viability, the development of funding resources, and resource acquisition for the sustainability of the site, programs and staff.
• Providing oversight for the maintenance of buildings, grounds, and satellite locations, and related budgeting and capital spending, compliance, procurement, project and construction management. Requires relationship building and direct work with the University Offices of Physical Plant, University Access Committee, etc.
• Directing the facility and operations efforts through long-term and annual planning with staff and neighboring constituents (Stone Valley Recreation Area and Stone Valley Forest).
• Engaging in development efforts and working closely with Penn State Outreach fundraisers to cultivate new donors, steward current donors, and provide oversight of the center’s  membership and major gifts programs, and endowment spending.
• Collaborating with the Vice President for Outreach and the Outreach Leadership Team on development initiatives, educational partnerships, and stakeholder engagement.
• Staying informed of trends in the field of experiential and environmental education, and relevant policies and regulations both internal to Penn State and external to the University.
• Representing Penn State Outreach and Shaver’s Creek at conferences, community events, and for media inquiries.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge of environmental science, outdoor recreation, natural history, and interpretive skills.
• Prior experience working in higher education.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with a detail-oriented approach.
• Highly collaborative mindset to support internal teams and external partners.
• Flexibility, resourcefulness, positivity, and mature judgment, especially in stressful or challenging conditions.
• Experience with student engagement/student success.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• A degree in environmental or experiential education, natural resources, education, or a related field.
• Experience in organizational management, program creation and evaluation, experiential, environmental, or outdoor education.
• Supervisory experience, including proven experience in staff leadership, training, and supervision.
• Evidence of successful fundraising, grant writing, and project management.
• Expertise in public speaking, networking, and community engagement.
• Ability to work flexible hours and be on-call for emergencies.
• Passion and commitment to the mission of connecting people to the outdoors.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

Master’s Degree 10+ years of relevant experience, includes 3+ years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None

Additional Information: The search committee will begin reviewing applications on June 13, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. This position supports Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, located in Huntingdon County in the Stone Valley Recreation Area located between State College, PA and Huntingdon, PA. Due to the hands-on nature of the programming and activities, this position cannot be performed remotely.  Although much of the Executive Director’s time will be spent in an office and will involve extensive use of computers, the employee in this position may also teach outdoors in all types of weather, during all seasons of the year.

Information about Penn State Outreach and Shaver’s Creek:

Penn State Outreach is a unit of Penn State dedicated to offering programs and implementing initiatives that amplify the impact of Penn State’s land-grant mission. Penn State Outreach seeks to inspire discovery for learners of all ages, prepares Penn State students through experiential learning opportunities, and serves Pennsylvania by offering programs and resources that benefit and empower communities.

Since 1976, Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center has been connecting people to people and people to nature, providing educational and recreational opportunities for families, schools, corporate groups, and Penn State students. The center operates on 7,000 acres, which contains 72-acre freshwater Lake Perez.  The facility features native wildlife, including amphibians, reptiles, and birds, on display year-round for visitors. The Center offers special programming that generates approximately 100,000 visitors per year.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $86,300.00 – $129,500.00.

Salary Structure – Additional information on Penn State’s salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging in all its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports both broad and specific equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.