Job Details

About Watsonville Wetlands Watch:

Watsonville Wetlands Watch is a non-profit agency, established in 1991, that works to restore the environment in the Pájaro Valley, educate and engage youth and the community, and develop youth leaders. Each year our restoration programs restore and enhance over 1,000 acres of wetlands, open space, and recreational trails throughout Watsonville and the greater Pájaro Valley. Since 2018, we have expanded the local tree canopy through an urban forestry program for the City of Watsonville.  Our education programs provide dynamic outdoor field experiences, leadership development, and job training programs for over 6,000 Pájaro Valley students, youth, and young adults.  To inspire the conservation of Watsonville`s wetlands and watersheds and to foster a strong community dedicated to this work, we offer free community events, lectures, and tours to thousands of people each year.

The Watsonville Slough System is California`s third largest coastal freshwater wetland complex and supports 23 different native plants and animals that are threatened, endangered, or species of concern. The slough system underlies the City of Watsonville and surrounding agricultural and open space lands of the Pajaro Valley watershed. Watsonville Wetlands Watch envisions a thriving local wetland ecosystem with our community is at the center of its conservation.

The offices of Watsonville Wetlands Watch are located in the Fitz Wetlands Educational Resource Center on the campus of Pajaro Valley High School in Watsonville, California.

 For more information on the organization, please visit www.watsonvillewetlandswatch.org

About the Position:

In reporting to the Executive Director, the successful candidate will be both a hands-on manager and a partner in developing strategies, practices, and policies for effective organizational development, growth, and sustainability of a well-respected, high-impact non-profit.

This position will ensure effective program delivery and organizational impact and help to guide the organization toward fulfilling its strategic plan goals.  The position will provide essential leadership in fiscal management, human resources, grants and contracts management and reporting, and staff development..  The position is supervised by the Executive Director. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following:

Human Resources, Administration, and Finance

Provide high level administrative support to ensure organizational administration is effective, including, ensuring compliance with State and federal requirements, such as managing financial audits, preparing financial reports, grants management, compliance with workplace regulations, and related administrative processes. 

Provide high level leadership and support to administrative team for human resources and personnel matters. 

Oversee monthly and quarterly financial reporting and monitoring processes.

Lead annual budget preparation and evaluation of budget to actuals for funding streams, such as grants and contracts.

Develop monthly and quarterly reports on development and finance to support organizational management, board review, and for external reporting.

Ensure file systems and record keeping systems are maintained to support finance and administrative processes.

Oversee subcontracting processes for subcontractors and consultants and coordinate with appropriate staff persons as needed. 

Oversee new hiring recruitment, hiring, and on-boarding processes, in coordination with the WWW administrative team.

Oversee human resources compliance and related matters in coordination with the Executive Director and WWW administrative team.

Assist with preparation of Board packets and resource documents.

Serve as lead staff for the Finance Committee, prepare reports for the finance committee and Board and present reports where needed.

Grants and Contract Management

Oversee reporting process for State, federal, and private foundation grants and other contracts and ensure compliance. 

Oversee process for creation of invoices for grants and contracts, and related compliance with funder policies and procedures. Track accounts receivable and support timely processes that meet the needs of the organization. 

Provide support for grant application preparation when requested in coordination with Grants Manager

Oversee accounts payable and accounts receivable and related grants and contract allocation process.

Direct the work of supporting staff positions for the above listed tasks, where appropriate. 

Staff Supervision

Supervise finance and administrative staff positions, including the administrative associate and grants manager.

Conduct annual evaluations for these positions.

Organizational Leadership and Programs Delivery

Provide fiscal and administrative support to the organization in strategic planning and strategic operational decisions.

Represent the Executive Director and organization at meetings and functions when requested by the Executive Director.

Support and assist the Executive Director in organizational management and legal and policy related compliance.

Support the Board of Directors through regular communication as needed and provide high level support to strategic and operational plan development and implementation.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Establish and maintain effective channels of communication with partners, co-workers, contractors, participants, volunteers and the public to strengthen and support the mission of WWW.
• Use equipment and materials in a safe and acceptable manner, follow established safety procedures, use appropriate safeguards and observe common sense rules of safety in all on-the-job activities. 
• Conduct self in a manner reflecting credit on the organization and encourage others to do the same.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS 

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

Education and Experience 

• Bachelor`s degree or equivalent experience
• 3+ years of relevant experience with management responsibilities in a non-profit, government, or non-governmental organization or commensurate experience
• Human resources experience, including payroll administration, and HR compliance
• Highly organized 
• Proven, excellent writing and verbal communication skills
• Ability to interact effectively with others and strong communication skills
• Commitment to the mission and work of Watsonville Wetlands Watch

DESIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• 2+ years experience of staff supervision 
• Ability to communicate in Spanish.
• Able to prioritize in accordance with changing deadlines and priorities.
•  Even-tempered and team spirited. 
• Working knowledge of efficient filing systems and a strong background in non-profit accounting and administration.
• Sound independent decisions based on available data.
• Able to work with a variety of personalities with organizational partners, community members, and staff in an effective manner.

HOURS AND COMPENSATION:

This is a full-time position, though may be filled at 36 hours or above, located in Santa Cruz County. Salary is commensurate with experience.  Compensation includes a starting pay range of $45 - $59/hr. ($90,000 - $118,000).  We offer a generous benefits package including medical, dental and vision as well as vacation, sick, and holidays and an employer sponsored retirement plan with a 3% employer match to a Simple IRA.

APPLICATION: Interested and qualified candidates should provide the following via email to hr@watsonvillewetlandswatch.org.   Initial candidate review is planned to begin June 3rd, with open recruitment continuing until the position is filled.

• Cover letter describing your interest and qualifications in this position.
• Resume.

Applicants only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.

Watsonville Wetlands Watch is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Candidates for the position will be required to pass a finger-printing through the Pajaro Valley Unified School district.