.Individuals interested in applying for this position should send a letter of interest and resume to the WVFA President at aaron.plaugher@westrock.com by June 1, 2023, or until position is filled. All questions about the position should also be directed to the WVFA President
POSITION SUMMARY
The Executive Director serves as the managing executive of the West Virginia Forestry Association (WVFA) under the supervision of the President of the Association and works at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The Executive Director provides strategic guidance, manages staff, programs, and initiatives of the organization, and provides leadership toward the achievement of the Association’s mission, goals, and objectives. The Executive Director also serves as the primary contact with governmental organizations and the legislature in West Virginia.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in a forestry/natural resource discipline.
- Demonstrated management experience. Knowledge and experience in Association Management.
- Government relations experience and demonstrated skill with public policy analysis, strategy, and implementation.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentation skills to a wide variety of audiences.
- Demonstrated leadership, organizational, problem-solving, and business development skills, including strategy development and
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills, including with staff, Association members, stakeholders, and government officials.
- Ability to work irregular hours and sometimes longer hours during the week to perform essential duties of the position, particularly during state legislative sessions.
- Ability to travel state-wide and occasionally outside West Virginia to represent
- Ability to manage a variety of projects
- Ability to develop and coordinate strategic alliances with stakeholders on key issues and work with representatives of varied
- Ability to build consensus between groups with differing
- Proficiency in the use of applicable information technology skills, such as Microsoft Office Suite, social media platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.), and database systems, etc.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION
Promote WVFA and the forestry industry, including the following:
- Ensure a positive public image for WVFA and the forestry industry in all activities, events, and
- Promote the value of the WVFA to members and the
- Develop and implement membership recruitment and retention efforts in order to retain and expand membership, including regular travel to visit members and prospective members.
Manage day-to-day operations of WVFA, including the following:
- Within budget guidelines and with Board approval, recruit, hire, promote, compensate, and discharge staff and administer an effective personnel program that includes position descriptions, performance standards, performance appraisals, and compensation review. Maintain a highly qualified, well-informed, and productive staff with a high degree of morale and minimum turnover.
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive budget; oversee the authorized and proper expenditure of funds; supervise and manage the maintenance of financial records using standard GAAP procedures; and assure that all funds, physical assets, and other property of WVFA are appropriately safeguarded and administered, in accordance with policies set by the Board of Directors.
- Ensure annual filings mandated by the federal, state, and local governments and taxing authorities are completed, and coordinate annual audit/review with outside CPA
- Maintain up to date membership records of WVFA and supervise annual dues
- Preserve the records and archives of WVFA in accordance with Board established
- Coordinate and direct staff in planning and implementation of Committee meetings, annual conference, AB Brooks Symposium, Area meetings, membership activities, and other programs, including the WVFA Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Project Learning Tree, West Virginia Loggers Council, Tree Farm and other WVFA based efforts, as needed.
Support the WVFA Board of Directors and Executive Committee, including the following:
- Implement policies, positions, resolutions, and programs approved by the Board and the WVFA Executive
- Develop and increase sponsorships, partnerships, event revenue, and other financial support for the WVFA to supplement membership dues
- Plan, including agenda development, and attend Board and Executive Committee meetings, as well as prepare, distribute, and present materials for review.
- Prepare and submit non-routine policies and programs, including financial and budgeting components, for Board
- Keep the Board and Executive Committee fully informed of the conditions and operations of the WVFA and of important factors influencing
- Provide consultation, support, and assistance to the President in the fulfillment of his/her duties, such as appointing Committee members, preparing agendas, representing the WVFA at official meetings, providing information to the membership or others as needed, and in any other way that facilitates effective leadership during their term of
Advocate for the best interests of the membership with state and federal government officials in the development of laws, regulations, and policies, including the following:
- Serves as the official representative of the WVFA with the press, the public, related organizations, and governmental agencies and
- Serves as the primary governmental/legislative contact for the Association, including active engagement with the government agencies and the legislature during the annual legislative session.
- Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with state and federal government officials, affiliated organizations, and industry associations to further WVFA’s
- Ensure that policy issues of importance to WVFA members are carried through the legislative and regulatory processes with the development and implementation of strategy, ongoing monitoring, and communication with others involved in the policy
- Establish and maintain effective communications with WVFA membership so as to identify issues, engage participation, and apprise them of issue status.
- Solicit policy issues from the Membership through appropriate meetings/interactions and develop policy recommendations and priority issues for Board
- Monitor legislative and regulatory activities so as to identify issues of importance to the members and ensure appropriate strategies and
- Conduct industry tours, forums, and other appropriate activities for government officials to promote an understanding of forestry
Oversee communications activities including public relations, publications,website, and electronic media:
- Maintain open communication with
- Conduct and oversee all correspondence of WVFA, including but not limited to the quarterly magazine, weekly updates/newsletter, website, and various meeting notifications.
- Perform any other duties as required for the administration of WVFA and as directed by the Board.
The above list of duties and responsibilities should not be considered a comprehensive listing, but rather a listing of essential functions, responsibilities, and requirements.