Hiring Organization Information
Position Information
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Communities In Schools of the Blue Mountain Region is part of a growing network of national and Washington State affiliates, with a mission to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. The CIS Integrated Student Supports model places site coordinators in schools. Working in partnership with school districts, site coordinators develop strategies and community partnerships providing support and resources to students and families through confidential, developmentally appropriate, culturally sensitive interventions, services and supports.
We seek a dynamic and creative leader to direct a sustainable, local independent affiliate office of the CIS Network in the Walla Walla region. This affiliate launched in August 2021 and is currently under the Washington State Office of Communities In Schools (CISWA). CISWA is the fiscal sponsor, therefore is responsible for governance and finances until the Communities In Schools of the Blue Mountain Region has attained its own 501C3 status and is in compliance with CIS National. This is a significant undertaking and why the state office works closely with the developing affiliate’s Executive Director to support efforts to build a strong Board of Directors for organizational governance and securing funding through community investments to sustain and expand operations.
SCOPE OF POSITION
The Executive Director is responsible for leading organizational development to sustain and grow our program across the Walla Walla region, including community engagement, partnership building, board development, resource development, and service delivery oversight in accordance with the CIS model of Integrated Student Supports. The Executive Director builds and maintains essential school partnerships for success and oversees the organization’s staff, operations, and programs. While the affiliate continues to develop, this position will be supported by the CIS of Washington State office to help ensure long-term viability.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Agency Capacity Building
Develops and maintains a smoothly running internal administrative system capable of responding to external needs with accuracy and speed. As resources allow, expands staffing capacity for the agency and at school sites to achieve established goals through recruitment, training, supervision, and evaluation of a diverse staff. In partnership with the state office, oversees affiliate budget, develops annual operations plan, and oversees school site plan development.
Community Participation and Leadership
Presents the CIS mission, vision, and initiatives within the community; serves as liaison to business, education, and human service organizations; provides leadership in the field of dropout prevention; participates in other community organizations or activities; encourages community interest in the Walla Walla Valley and assists in the recruitment of volunteers and local partnership opportunities. Represents the agency at meetings, conferences, presentations, and media events as appropriate.
Board Development
Works with local community leaders to identify and develop the Board of Directors and ensure all required IRS and Washington State corporation paperwork is filed to create the local independent corporation within an established timeline. Once established, serves as the primary staff advisor to the Board of Directors relating to all agency matters, provides information to allow them to fulfill their policy-making responsibilities, helps establish strategic goals, and works with the Board to ensure a strong understanding and implementation of the CIS mission.
Communications
Works with CISWA to maintain regional website and social media platforms. Adheres to CIS National branding standards. Develops an annual communications plan and executes through effective and ethical storytelling to build brand awareness across the community. Develops an Annual Report for distribution to district and community partners.
Resource Development
Works with the CIS of Washington State Office to develop and implement a resource development plan to ensure sufficient funding and resources. Once independent, works with the Board of Directors to continue to develop and implement the agency’s multi-year resource development plan to guide staff and Board efforts. Develops, manages, supports, and executes fundraising activities to support agency operations and programs to ensure sustainability and support expansion. Identifies prospects and prepares grant proposals and reports to funders.
Financial Management
Oversees the financial management system to ensure effective fiscal management. Prepares an annual budget for review and approval by the Board of Directors. Continuously monitors expenses and revenues compared to budget; provides regular reports to the Board of Directors; and ensures the completion of an annual independent financial review or audit. Supports the Board Treasurer in communicating to the Board of Directors.
Service Delivery and Program Management
Oversees program management staff in implementation of CIS model of Integrated Student Supports in local school districts with support from the state office. Supports Program Manager(s) in their hiring and supervision of all site staff. Supervises program evaluation to provide ongoing assessment of program effectiveness; reviews periodic progress reports and an annual report assessing the program's progress in meeting its objectives. Ensures completion of required reports to CIS state and national organizations and funders. Attends CIS state and national meetings and trainings as appropriate.
School District Relationships
Maintains strong relationships with building leadership to support CIS service delivery at participating schools. Develops and maintains linkages with school district leadership to ensure a cooperative partnership with school districts currently implementing CIS initiatives and those interested in expansion. Develops strategic relationships to ensure that growth is sustainable and high quality in school districts across the region.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
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Commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion for ALL students and families regardless of race, color, national origin, gender/sexual orientation, religion, or disability.
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Relevant experience, learned through work experience and/or formal education. For example, Bachelor's Degree in public administration, social services or related field; OR high school diploma and 5 years leadership experience within a nonprofit; OR 10+ years leadership experience within a nonprofit.
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Minimum of three years supervision experience with direct reports; providing ongoing oversight, training and support.
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Proven experience with successful development of resources, fundraising, and external partnerships.
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Program management or direct service experience working with underserved and underrepresented populations; awareness of and sensitivity to the diverse needs of youth and families served.
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Strong people and communications skills, including:
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Comfortable making community presentations and connecting with folks in large and small group settings;
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Able to organize and clearly articulate thoughts in writing. Experience with grant writing, reporting and creation of marketing materials is a plus.
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Able to provide clear direction and consistent supervision and support to staff.
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Strong organizational and time management skills, including:
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Able to maintain multiple priorities in a complex/changing environment;
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Able to address urgent situations while maintaining focus on important goals of the organization.
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Strong planning skills, including:
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Able to be innovative, creative, flexible, and persistent;
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Able to develop plans with clear strategies and objectives and follow through to achieve goals;
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Comfortable working with numbers; experience creating and maintaining budget and basic program evaluations.
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Culturally represents the students and communities served across the Walla Walla community.
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Ability to communicate (speak/read/write) in Spanish preferred.
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Well-connected in local education, social service and/or business community.
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Working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs; comfortable with technology and web-based tools (including video conferencing) and capacity to learn additional software applications.
Other Requirements
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Access to reliable transportation and ability to travel in the Walla Walla area, statewide, and nationally.
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Ability to work evenings and weekends on occasion.
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Must pass a criminal background check.