[Jgfamembers] Job Opening in East Palo Alto

[Marjorie Alfs]

Job Opening: Executive Director
Collective Roots
Position Summary
The Executive Director is responsible for 
overseeing all aspects of Collective Roots, a 
non-profit focused on garden-based education, 
food systems change, and youth leadership.  The 
Director is accountable to the CR Board of 
Directors and should develop a close working 
relationship with partner schools and 
organizations. The Executive Director will have 
primary responsibility for developing the 
organization's programs, developing and executing 
a fundraising plan, and managing CR staff.

Organization Description
Collective Roots (CR) is a non-profit 
organization that teaches students about 
environmental science and nutrition through K-5 
garden-based lessons, an after-school garden 
club, a middle school elective, and parent and 
community workdays. CR's mission is to develop 
young urban leaders who know where their food 
comes from and how their actions impact human and 
environmental health.

Currently, the program is based at East Palo Alto 
Charter School (EPACS) , a K-8 school where 
nearly 400 students and their families are 
learning the links between human and 
environmental health through the cultivation of a 
school-based organic garden.  CR's educational 
programs aim to encourage healthy lifestyles, 
leadership skills, stewardship of the land, and a 
stronger sense of community in the school. 

CR's Strategic Plan for 2005-2008 envisions 
expanding our program to other schools in the 
community, with the goal to be working in at 
least one other school by 2008. Steps have been 
taken to expand in the 2007-2008 academic year. 
In addition, the ED will begin positioning CR to 
work on community and regional food systems 
issues, including food access in East Palo Alto. 
We are looking for a candidate who shares our 
enthusiasm for the opportunity to grow this 
program and bring its values to a larger number 
of students and community members.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Management / Administrative
ß Work with the Board of Directors to develop an 
annual plan to include finances, programmatic 
goals, partnerships, and staffing
ß Work with the Board of Directors to update and 
evaluate the strategic plan annually; develop and 
execute operational plans for each priority item 
of the strategic plan
ß Develop and execute programs in accordance with 
the mission of the organization
ß Recruit, train, evaluate and develop the skills 
of other staff, coordinating their work plans
ß In collaboration with other staff, develop 
processes for recruiting, training and managing 
volunteers
ß Manage program office to ensure a productive working environment
ß Negotiate Memoranda of Understanding with participating schools
ß Provide monthly updates to the Board of Directors
ß Participate in Board and Committee meetings
ß Perform general administrative duties, 
including processing mail, purchasing office 
supplies, generating 'thank-you' letters and 
other correspondence, and filing
ß Travel as needed to local and regional 
meetings, pick-up donated items, or deliver 
needed materials

Fundraising
ß Be the driving force to create and implement a 
fund development plan that supports the 
organization's ability to achieve its mission
ß Work with Board of Directors to develop funding 
sources. Current sources include foundation and 
corporate grants, partner support, individual 
giving, earned income and in-kind donations
ß Research, write, and manage all grants to 
support organization's annual budget of $350,000
ß Cultivate donor relations through e-mail/phone 
correspondence, grant writing and program visits

Fiscal Management
ß Collaborate with CR's Board of Directors to 
develop an annual budget and manage revenue and 
expenses, e.g. paying bills, salaries, etc.
ß Manage organizational finances, using 
QuickBooks for Non-profits.  Financial 
responsibilities include: grants management, 
donation tracking, tax filing, and generating 
monthly and an Annual Financial Report

Program Supervision
ß Evaluate programs on an on-going basis by 
collecting evidence of student learning, and 
prepare quarterly reports to the Board of 
Directors and funding agencies as required
ß Supervise and evaluate all other staff, 
including Garden Education Coordinator and Youth 
Leadership Coordinator

Community Development and Relationship Building
ß Develop and maintain relationships with 
foundations, individual donors, key political and 
community partners, and our primary collaborators 
- our partner schools
ß Develop consistent forms of communication with 
EPACS' staff, administrators, students and 
families
ß Communicate the organization's vision to 
stakeholders through our website, newsletters, 
and community boards
ß Create and sustain partnerships with local 
organizations and community members to strengthen 
garden-based programming and build a base of 
potential donors
ß Serve as spokesperson for CR to the community, media, and potential donors
ß Maintain communication and strong working 
relationship with Board of Directors

Qualifications
Education: Any combination of training, 
education, and work experience equivalent to a 
Bachelor's degree in management, education, 
business administration, community organization, 
social sciences, or a related field.

Experience: At least five years successful work 
experience preferably in a management, 
administrative or leadership capacity. 
Demonstrated track record of successful 
fundraising and funder relations is a must. 
Previous community development, not-for-profit 
program director, or teaching experience is a 
plus. Knowledge of food systems and nutrition 
issues, environmental education, and/or 
sustainable gardening also desirable.

Skills: Strong leader who motivates others to 
participate.  Strategic thinker who envisions the 
"big picture" and can move the organization into 
the future. Entrepreneurial and energetic. Strong 
communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills 
including negotiating, coaching, consulting, and 
influencing others.  Ability to form productive 
relationships with diverse groups of students and 
families.  Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred.

Compensation
Salary is commensurate with experience. The 
position is full-time; some work on weekends is 
required.   Medical benefits are included.

To Apply
Send resume and cover letter to jobs at collectiveroots.org by June 15, 2007.

-- 

Marjorie M. Alfs
Campus Coordinator Stanford in Washington/
John Gardner Public Service Fellowship Coordinator
Haas Center for Public Service
Stanford University
562 Salvatierra Walk
Stanford, CA  94305-8620
Phone:  (650) 725-2870
Fax:  (650) 725-7339
E-mail:  mmalfs at stanford.edu

http://haas.stanford.edu
Stay informed! All information about Haas Center 
Public Service Fellowships is distributed through 
our listserv. To subscribe, send a message to 
majordomo at lists.stanford.edu with "subscribe 
service4all" in the body of the message.

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