Executive Director

​Calaveras Healthy Impact Product Solutions (CHIPS) seeks an experienced and motivated Executive Director to lead the organization with a commitment to triple bottom line outcomes (people, planet, prosperity).  CHIPS is a community-driven 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, devoted to wildfire prevention as well as forest, watershed, post-wildfire and cultural site restoration in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range.

We seek to achieve economic, environmental and community equity benefits. Reducing the risk of wildfires and creating resilient forests are principles embedded in all of the work that we do.

CHIPS creates jobs for individuals who are members of tribal communities as well as the disadvantaged community to work projects throughout the Sierras.  CHIPS has established a unique forest restoration workforce through its crew development and training program. The program has been in operation since 2008.  The value of CHIPS’ workforce development and training model is widely recognized by the Cal Fire, Sierra Nevada Conservancy, the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, California Workforce Development Board, and the Sierra Institute for Community & Environment, among others.

Recognition at the state and federal levels of this work’s critical nature is at an all-time high.   Demand for the services CHIPS provides is growing rapidly and CHIPS is poised to grow in its leadership role. The challenges are great but are now being met with more resources than was thought possible just a few years ago.

CHIPS works to prevent wildfires by increasing the pace and scale of forest resilience by leveraging our partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies, peer organizations and others to achieve large-scale restoration of the historical condition of the Sierras through grant funding opportunities, partnerships, cooperative agreements and private contracts.  Through these partnerships we provide work opportunities for CHIPS’ field crews, as well as for local contractors working to establish a stronger forest stewardship economy.  Currently CHIPS is managing approximately $2.5 M in grants from State sources under three different agreements.

CHIPS is a founding member of the Amador Calaveras Consensus Group (ACCG), a nationally recognized forest collaborative organization. The ACCG is a diverse, community-based group focused on creating fire-safe communities, healthy forest and watersheds, and sustainable local economies. Taken together, CHIPS maintains a passionate focus on creating a sustainable local forest stewardship economy that aims to lift rural communities out of poverty.

Position Description

The CHIPS Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors, leads the administrative staff, and collaborates with the Board and partners to achieve the organization’s mission. The executive director is responsible for leading organizational, operational, and program development and implementation, and for conducting day to day administration.  Duties include Board facilitation, contract/agreement compliance, project development and management, personnel management, funds development, website supervision and public relations.

CHIPS is a 100% virtual company.  The administrative team works from home, but travel to visit the worksites and to attend industry meetings is necessary.

Responsibilities

The executive director will:

• Report to and work with the Board of Directors to lead organizational, operational and program development; formulate monthly agendas;
• Secure new grants and agreements ;
• Secure new work projects;
• Establish and maintain policies and procedures for day-to-day operations;
• Research and ensure compliance with governmental guidelines, policies, laws and regulations; and provide such information to assist Board decisions;
• Review and approve all contracts/agreements;
• Ensure contract and agreement compliance with contractors, funding agencies and partners;
• Recruit, hire and supervise staff;
• Guide establishment of the employee training and benefits programs, and equipment inventory and maintenance schedule;
• Maintain existing and create new partnerships;
• Support positive public and customer relations.

Desired Qualifications and Characteristics

• Non-profit leadership experience
• Supervisory experience in a collaborative work environment
• Conflict resolution or mediation skills
• Contract negotiation, administration and/or compliance experience
• Budget oversight and management experience
• Familiar with financial management
• Strong verbal and writing skills
• Fully competent in common computer applications
• Grant writing experience
• Ability to cultivate new business partnerships
• Experience with contracts and agreements
• Independent and innovative
• Confident in a leadership role
• Excellent listener
• Understanding of and commitment to triple bottom line outcomes
• Commitment to the Sierra Nevada region and its people
• Patient, flexible and creative problem solving
• California resident

Compensation

• Full time, 40 hours per week
• $75,000-85,000 per year, depending upon qualifications and experience
• Ten days paid time off per year
• Health benefit allowance
• Flexible working hours with the potential for remote work option

This position is open until filled.