Help wanted: Executive Director

The National Center for Science Education, a non-profit organization that defends the teaching of evolution and climate science, seeks a new Executive Director to serve as chief executive officer and public face of NCSE.

Prospective candidates should have:

• a Ph.D. or the equivalent in a field related to science and/or science education; biology, geology, science education, and climate science are particularly desirable
• a record of scholarly research and publication
• a record of outreach to the public on science education issues
• experience in teaching in formal (K-12 or college) or informal (e.g., museum) settings
• knowledge of non-profit management and finance (experience preferred)
• experience in fundraising and development with foundations and individual donors
• superb communication skills, both written and oral
• a high degree of computer literacy, including expertise with social media and digital communication
• the ability to work cooperatively and manage effectively
• a record of effective involvement with public controversies over evolution and/or climate science
• the ability to work effectively and diplomatically with diverse communities and allies

The Executive Director supervises all NCSE staff and reports to the Board of Directors.

This is a full-time permanent position with medical, dental, and retirement benefits. The Executive Director would be expected to be on site in NCSE’s office in Oakland, California; telecommuting is not an option. Extensive travel and public speaking is required. A detailed description of the position follows below.

Salary will be commensurate with skills and experience and comparable with similar positions in similarly sized non-profits in the San Francisco Bay Area. Applications should include three references familiar with applicant’s qualifications for the position, a résumé, and a writing sample demonstrating applicant’s ability to communicate effectively with a general audience. Applications will be accepted until July 1. Anticipated start date is September 1. Send application materials to:

Executive Director Search
National Center for Science Education, Inc.
420 40th Street, Suite 2
Oakland CA 94609
Fax: (510) 601-7204
e-mail: ED-Search@ncse.com

NCSE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a staff of fifteen and an annual budget of approximately $1.2 million. NCSE is an equal opportunity employer.

Duties

The Executive Director performs (or delegates) two main classes of duties:

• Serving as the public face of NCSE: its primary representative to the public, the press, and NCSE’s allies;
• Serving as the chief executive of NCSE, ultimately responsible to the Board of Directors for the conduct of NCSE’s internal and external operations

Advocacy (public face)

• Public speaking at conferences, invited presentations, etc.
• Answering inquiries from the press (television, radio, print, internet, etc.)
• Writing articles, reviews, etc. for popular and scholarly venues
• Maintaining a working knowledge of the issues related to the teaching of global warming, evolution, and the nature of science
• Maintaining a working knowledge of the political, legislative, regulatory, economic, and social frameworks relevant to NCSE’s work
• Maintaining productive relationships with NCSE’s multiple constituencies (e.g., grassroots activists, decision makers, donors, etc.)

Management (chief executive)

• Policy and Strategic Planning
• Setting and implementing the vision and direction of the organization within its mission
• Articulating and implementing the ways in which NCSE works to achieve its goals, within the guidelines set by the Board of Directors
• Support/operations (through the director of operations)
• Overseeing financial accounting and administration
• Overseeing human resources
• Overseeing office management
• Board administration and support
• Reviewing and approving quarterly financial reports for the treasurer of the Board of Directors
• Preparing reports for meetings of the Board of Directors
• Cultivating, expanding, and communicating with the Board of Directors
• Financial management
• Developing (with the director of operations) the annual budget
• Reviewing the financial statements quarterly (or more frequently)
• Containing costs
• Programs
• Supervising program staff
• Instituting and monitoring tasks and projects of program staff
• Assisting with handling outbreaks of attacks on the integrity of science education and mentoring staff on how to handle such outbreaks
• Providing innovative and strategic leadership for planning, executing, leading, and evaluating programs and projects
• Development
• Supervising in-house fundraising and new member recruitment campaigns
• Identifying and cultivating major donors
• Developing and implementing strategies to increase revenues by leveraging new and long-term support
• Grantwriting for private foundation grants
• Analyzing membership and fundraising data for trends
• Publications
• Supervising Reports of the NCSE (as ex officio publisher)
• Reviewing articles and other work appearing in NCSE publications and website, as needed
• Reviewing articles by NCSE staffers appearing in non-NCSE venues