| Executive Director - Southern Chapter of the International So | |
| Job Type: Regular | |
|
Work Location REMOTE, AA U.S.A |
Targeted Salary Not Specified Benefits: |
|
Type of organization / Mission Focus: Geographic Scope: None Keywords: |
Organization Website: None |
|
Required Experience: REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
A full embrace of the Chapter’s mission and an ability to serve as a public champion for it. Demonstrated management experience of at least three years in nonprofit, trade association, or membership organizations, ideally with organizations classed as 501(c)3, 501(c)5, or 501(c)6 under the U.S. Tax Code. Strong interpersonal, public speaking and writing skills, including a willingness and ability to travel, build external relationships, initiate and schedule constituent visits, recruit volunteers, and negotiate contracts in a timely fashion. Strong leadership and management skills, a strong commitment to encouraging professional diversity in the workplace, and a proven ability to deftly manage the challenges and opportunities associated with working for a geographically decentralized nonprofit Board. Bachelor’s Degree related to arboriculture, urban forestry, nonprofit management, environmental science, urban and regional planning, public policy, association management, or public administration; demonstrated success in all other noted qualifications may be considered as a substitute for this requirement. Within six months of hiring date, the ED must have an established working office located within the Chapter’s service area: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. OPTIONAL QUALIFICATIONS TO BE CONSIDERED FAVORABLY: Masters Degree or doctorate in one of the aforementioned academic fields. ISA certification as a professional arborist, or similar certification within the green industries. Current or prior membership in an ISA component association, with associated knowledge of the steps required to achieve and maintain membership. Urban forestry, natural resources, green industry, or arboricultural working experience, to include familiarity with key players and organizations in these and related industries. OFFICE, COMPENSATION AND WORK EXPECTATIONS: The Southern Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture celebrates personal and professional diversity. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without discrimination based on an individual’s race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other protected class under Federal, State, or local laws. This role is an independent contractor position, and neither the Chapter nor the ED shall serve as a partner or employee of the other party. The ED will hew to the statutory three-part test for independent contractor status (behavioral control, financial control, and contracted relationships between the parties), and will receive a 1099 in lieu of a W-2 for taxes each year. As an independent contractor, the ED’s weekly work hours may vary with the cyclical annual nature of the Chapter’s work, and the Board’s expectation is that the ED will complete all assigned responsibilities, without routine clock management by the Board. The ED is not entitled to overtime pay in weeks where he or she works more than 40 hours. Conversely, the ED’s compensation is not reduced in weeks where he or she works less than 40 hours. As an independent contractor, the ED does not receive additional financial, healthcare, paid vacation, or retirement benefits from the Chapter; the ED will coordinate and schedule time away from work with the Executive Committee. As an independent contractor, the ED may work for clients other than the Chapter, though not to the detriment of the Chapter, nor to the erosion of time required to complete Chapter work. The ED may not work for nor with other clients where such work could create conflict of interests between the Chapter, its Board, and its members, nor may the ED receive any unfair advantage or undue leverage by virtue of his or her contractual relationship with the Chapter. The Chapter is a virtual organization with Board members and independent contractors located across the Chapter’s service area. The ED must maintain reliable internet and phone connectivity, and a professional office environment suitable for video conferences. The ED must maintain adequate protection of sensitive business and personnel information. The ED will likely spend ~75% of his or her time working from a remote office location of his or her choosing, and ~25% of his or her time travelling, most frequently within the Chapter’s service area. Travel will typically be scheduled far enough in advance to not adversely or abruptly impede family or personal time, though emergent travel may on occasion be required. The Chapter does not provide a personal vehicle for the ED. The ED will be fully reimbursed for expenses required to complete responsibilities upon presentation of receipts and invoices to the Executive Committee. Allowable expenses include: lodging, meals (reimbursed at Federal GSA rates), conference registrations, travel (using IRS mileage rates for driving, or documented air fare rates), telephone and internet connection expenses (for devices used primarily for Chapter work), postage, office supplies, ISA and Chapter membership fees, software, and training. SEARCH TIMELINE: Applications will be accepted until April 15, 2026. Rating, screening, ranking and initial phone interviews will run through May 15, 2026. Three to five finalists will be interviewed in person by the Board of Directors on June 8, 2026, at ISA Headquarters in Atlanta. An offer will be extended to the selected candidate by June 15, 2026. The selected candidate will begin service on or around July 15, 2026. Pay: $82,000.00 - $105,000.00 per year Benefits: Flexible schedule Work Location: Remote |
|
|
Duties / Expectations: Executive Director
Southern Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture United States Remote $82,000 - $105,000 a year - Full-time, Contract Benefits Retirement plan Flexible schedule Full job description ***PLEASE NOTE REGARDING APPLICATIONS***: This search is being facilitated by Nonprofit Management Advisor J. Eric Smith, supporting a volunteer search committee comprised of arboriculture professionals. Resumes and cover letters must be sent to Mr. Smith by email at jericwrites@gmail.com. Cover letters should explicitly explain how the applicant meets the key criteria of the position description, and why this position is of interest to the applicant. Resumes submitted without cover letters will not be considered. All candidate communications through the search process will be channeled through the search consultant, usually via email. Unsolicited phone calls regarding the search made to current Chapter Board members or contractors will not be accepted, and will be considered detrimental to the applicants’ chances of securing the ED role. POSITION TYPE: Full Time, Independent Contractor. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Three other independent contractors with defined organizational roles and responsibilities, plus volunteers, vendors, and members filling various other organizational roles. ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY: The Southern Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (hereafter “the Chapter”) is a professional membership organization, first organized in 1937 to improve the practice of tree care and maintenance; to stimulate appreciation for the value of shade and ornamental trees throughout the Chapter’s service area and to promote the programs and mission of the International Society of Arboriculture (hereafter “ISA.”) Membership in the Chapter is open to individuals engaged in commercial, municipal, and utility arboriculture as well as those working in research, Extension, government agencies, and related fields. The Chapter fulfills its mission to its members by offering a wide variety of opportunities including continuing education programs, arborist certification examinations (in association with ISA, the actual certifying agency), awards, scholarships, workshops, and a widely-attended annual conference. The Chapter represents members working in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as a network of at-large members. ABOUT THIS POSITION: The volunteer Board of Directors are granted sole governance authority and ultimate fiduciary responsibility for the Chapter, and are empowered to contract a professional, compensated Executive Director (hereafter “ED”), responsible for all facets of organizational management. The ED is responsible for the overall coordination of the Chapter’s activities and shall serve as its prime administrator and public leader and spokesperson. The ED will provide strategic and tactical guidance to the Board of Directors and its standing committees, and will direct a team of independent contractors and volunteers to manage daily operations (including membership services) as well as periodic programs and events, including but not limited to an annual conference, educational workshops, and other activities of benefit to the Chapter’s members and ISA at large. The ED position is remote, but the incumbent will be expected to represent the Chapter in-person at various events throughout its service area and beyond, including key annual ISA events. Routine travel (up to 25% of work time) is expected and essential for success in this role. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The ED is responsible for guiding the Chapter in fulfilling its mission and ensuring its financial success, per strategic goals and objectives established by the Board of Directors. The specific duties of the ED include the following elements; the ED will effectively manage the independent contractor team and volunteers to ensure each of these elements are satisfied in a timely and professional fashion: Board Relations: Assisting the Board Chair in scheduling, contracting the location, planning the agenda, and preparing materials for the Board of Directors’ and its standing committee’s meetings. Attending all regular and special Board of Directors’ meetings. Ensuring that reports, agendas, and meeting minutes are prepared and distributed to the Board and its committees, and publicly posted when and where necessary. Supporting the Board in Strategic Planning, to include establishing Board-approved multi-year plans and implementing needed tactical elements to fulfill the plans’ goals and objectives. Assisting the Executive Committee in recruiting and vetting new volunteers as Directors and standing committee members. Assisting the Executive Committee in onboarding and training new Directors, and providing refresher training as necessary. Fiscal, Legal, and Risk Management: Ensuring the overall financial success of the organization, to include collecting all revenue and making all payments required to meet all Chapter obligations. Working with the Board’s Executive Committee to manage the Chapter’s operating, savings, and reserve accounts, and manage all necessary banking relationships. Preparing an annual operating budget for Board of Directors’ approval prior to the start of each Fiscal Year, and providing regular reports of revenues and expenses against budget. Facilitating the completion of all statutorily-mandated fiscal documents, including annual IRS 990 tax filings, independent fiscal audits, charitable/business registrations in each state or territory represented by the Chapter, and other documents as required. Engaging and supervising legal and accounting professionals when necessary. Coordinating and maintaining compliance with any operating agreements between the Chapter and related organizations, e.g. ISA, state components, etc. Contracting and maintaining all Chapter insurance policies to protect assets, members, directors, and officers of the Chapter from liability and harm. Ensuring that all required regulatory records and documents are maintained in safe and secure fashion, in both physical and digital formats. Event Management: Working with the Annual Conference Committee to plan, contract, and execute the Chapter’s annual conference, including location selection, hospitality and meeting space contracts, catering, marketing, logistics, budgets, and onsite conference activities and operations. Preparing a final report after each conference, reconciling budget with actual financial results, as well as attendance numbers, media coverage, and other ancillary measurable activities. Supporting the Tree Climbing Championship Committee in developing policies, procedures, staffing, and promotion of this signature event, supporting ISA’s international calendar. Attending key industry trade events, to include arranging transport of trade show booth materials and ensuring that the Chapter’s presence at such events is fully staffed and supported by qualified individuals. Scheduling educational events (in-person, or via video conference) and creating and maintaining a public promotional calendar. Ensuring that continuing education credits (CEUs) are properly processed and submitted to ISA to support professional arborist certification processes, for both newly certified arborists, and those participating in continuing education programs to maintain their certifications. Operational Management and Administration: Overseeing all organizational programs, services, and activities. Developing and implementing policies and procedures to meet Board-established objectives. Serving as the Chapter’s prime contracting officer, to include administering competitive bid processes for services where appropriate. Ensuring that the Chapter complies with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Personnel Management: Engaging, training, and supervising all Chapter independent contractors and volunteers. Conducting periodic performance evaluations for the independent contractor team. Conducting any disciplinary or termination actions within the independent contractor team. Determining independent contractor compensation levels within a Board-approved compensation budget pool presented as part of the annual operating budget. Community Relations: Serving as the Chapter’s lead public spokesperson, focusing on member support and service. Assisting the Board of Directors in the development of strategic organizational messages. Promoting Chapter activities to current, lapsed, and prospective members to ensure robust participation and demonstrated benefits associated with Chapter membership. Overseeing the preparation and distribution of the Chapter’s various publications, websites, and other communications instruments. Initiating, fostering, and maintaining communications with key green industry partners, including ISA, TCIA, UAA, TREE Fund, various other trade and advocacy groups within the urban forestry sector, commercial vendors, and corporate leaders in professional arboriculture. Serving as Chapter Component Executive to ISA, and fulfilling similar roles with other key industry organizations as invited or necessary. |
|
|
Primary Skill Management |
|
|
Critical Skills |
|
|
To respond to this posting, use any of the following methods: Email: jericwrites@gmail.com Fax: U.S. Mail: Organization Website: None |
|
|
|
|
Whether you need a new job, or help with posting a job you want to advertise, we're here to make sure you have what you need! Our team is great at providing flexible solutions that drive reader engagement and awareness.
Please tell us how we can help and we'll be happy to provide guidance and go over some options with you!