Executive Director/Program Director by Central Valley Salinity Coalition Dec 3, 2024 Job Location Sacramento/Remote/Hybrid Application Deadline 02/03/2025 How to Apply The Central Valley Salinity Coalition (501 C-6) member benefit corporation (CVSC) seeks an experienced and visionary Executive Director and Program Director to lead the organization as a contractor or an employee. CVSC is a contract-based organization with no current employees and has existing contracts for accounting, technical, legal, advocacy, and outreach services. The Executive Director oversees strategic planning, program development, stakeholder engagement, technical study management, and overall coalition management. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in environmental science, public policy, or a related field, with proven leadership and management skills. This announcement is released in tandem with a Request for Proposals https://www.cvsalinity.org/resources/cvsc/ for these services, as the incumbent is a small firm that has provided these services to the CVSC Board and CV-SALTS for the past 16 years. These critical services may be provided by a person employed by CVSC, a Local Government Employee dedicated to CVSC, and an Independent Contractor or consulting/management firm. The CVSC Board understands the challenge of finding one person with all the skills, experience, and capacity needed for this position. The current Executive Director will be available for transition and support during 2025. Salary and executive-level benefits will be negotiated with the successful candidate. Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references by 5:00 pm, February 3, 2025. The electronic file shall be delivered to dcozad@cvsalinity.org. A complete printed cover letter, resume, and references shall be delivered to: Central Valley Salinity Coalition 1501 Olive Ave Redlands, CA 92373 The current Executive Director will be available for transition and support during 2025. Salary and executive-level benefits will be negotiated with the successful candidate. For more information about the Central Valley Salinity Coalition or to review the information presented in the RFP, please visit www.cvsalinity.org. Executive Director – Central Valley Salinity Coalition (CVSC) / Program Director – CV-SALTS Position Overview The Central Valley Salinity Coalition (CVSC) is a 501 C (6) member-benefit nonprofit corporation headquartered in California. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director/Program Director role should be filled by an accomplished and visionary leader supporting the Central Valley Salinity Alternatives for Long-Term Sustainability (CV-SALTS) program. The Executive Director will provide strategic leadership and direction to the coalition and, as Program Director, will lead the CV-SALTS regulatory program initiative’s technical aspects and contracting aspects. This position represents a unique opportunity to shape and drive strategies aimed at addressing salinity and Nitrate challenges in the Central Valley region of California. The successful candidates will possess exceptional leadership, technical expertise, and stakeholder collaboration skills. Key Responsibilities: 1. CVSC Executive Director: Reporting to the 25-member Board of Directors, the Executive Director and any key personnel will: • Lead the organization to achieve short-term and long-term goals while within options that ensure financial sustainability. • Collaborate closely with the Board of Directors to provide updates, insights, and recommendations for effective decision-making. • Implement board-approved policies and initiatives, ensuring alignment with the Coalition’s goals. • Collaborate with the Regional and State Water Board staff, member agencies, stakeholders, and partners to advocate for sustainable salinity management and appropriate nitrate policies and initiatives. • Provide leadership and oversight to contracted staff and consultants while presenting recommendations that ensure effective operations, membership engagement, and financial sustainability. • Represent CVSC at public meetings, conferences, and other relevant forums to raise awareness and influence decision-making. • Plan, coordinate, and prepare agendas and materials for Board meetings and Annual Membership Meetings, along with notes on the meetings’ actions. • Supervise or perform the planning and management of all financial aspects of the organization, including cash flow, expenditures, and budget planning. Ensure prudent financial management practices, including expense control and effective resource allocation. • Prepare and present reports on association activities, financial performance, and strategic initiatives. • Function as the Executive Director for the Central Valley Water Quality Improvement Foundation (CVWQIF), a 501 C 3 nonprofit organization formed to facilitate funding for the salt and nitrate programs • Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan to advance the mission and goals of the CVSC and its programs and projects. • Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with current and potential members, ensuring high levels of satisfaction. • Ensure CVSC operates in accordance with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards. • Maintain accurate records and documentation of the coalition’s activities, finances, and membership. • Facilitate transparent and effective governance practices in collaboration with the Board of Directors. 2. Program Director – CV-SALTS: • Lead the technical direction of the CV-SALTS Salinity Program and the Prioritization & Optimization (P&O) Study, aimed at developing and implementing long-term salinity management solutions. • Participate in and collaborate with technical consultants, committees, industry experts, and regulators to guide research, studies, and pilot projects. • Oversee the consultants developing technical documents, guidelines, and reports that inform salinity management strategies. • Review or prepare management reports and presentations for the program and projects. • Coordinate and prepare for Executive Committee meetings • Prepare periodic regulatory submittal reports and support the Regional Water Board in presentations to Board Members and the State Water Resources Control Board. • Supervise or coordinate, support, and manage Management Zone Cooperative activities, including decision-making, meetings, reporting, and contract management. • Coordinate with stakeholders to ensure alignment between technical recommendations, policy, and practical implementation. 3. Program and Project Management: • Coordinate all contracts and contractors for projects to achieve mission and contract needs and requirements. • Manage and oversee all projects and initiatives, ensuring timely and successful execution. • Monitor the progress of projects, budgets, and timelines, and address challenges that arise. • Develop and coordinate Executive Committee Agendas • Collaborate with teams to ensure seamless integration of technical recommendations into broader policy and planning efforts. 4. Stakeholder Engagement: • Build and maintain strong relationships with coalition members, agencies, industry representatives, and environmental organizations. • Facilitate collaborative discussions, workshops, and meetings to drive consensus on salinity control and nitrate control program management strategies and actions. • Address concerns and feedback from stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and transparency. • Manage and coordinate consultants preparing materials or content for the CV-SALTS website or other media. • Plan, develop agendas and attend Public Outreach and Education Committee (PEOC) meetings on a bimonthly basis. • Plan, develop agendas and attend the Salty 5, Regional, State, CVSC coordinating meetings on a bimonthly basis. 5. Advocacy and Outreach: • Engage with policymakers, regulators, and legislators to advocate for science-based salinity management solutions. • Collaborate with public relations and communication teams to promote awareness of CVSC’s mission, goals, and accomplishments. • Lead and coordinate with the State and Federal Lobbying teams advocating for CV-SALTS funding and policy issues. • Maintain an up-to-date website to communicate the work of CV-SALTS • Develop and deliver presentations at conferences, workshops, and public events. Qualifications: • Master’s or Ph.D. degree or equivalent in Environmental Science, Chemistry, Agronomy Law, Engineering, Natural Resources Management, or a related water quality or water management field. • Minimum of 7 years of senior-level experience in a leadership role within a relevant field, with a proven track record in coalition building, advocacy, or technical program management. • Strong technical expertise in salinity management, water quality, and related environmental disciplines. • Demonstrated experience working with stakeholder groups to reach consensus and facilitating cooperative decision-making. • Documented successful program and project management, budget oversight, and strategic planning. • Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills. • Knowledge of California’s water management policies, regulations that apply to salinity and nitrate, and the stakeholder landscape surrounding them. • Familiarity with Central Valley agriculture, water supply challenges, regulatory programs and regional environmental issues. 2025 Task Areas Task Anticipated Activities CVSC/CVWQIF Support • Prepare and manage CVSC Board of Directors Meetings • Prepare and manage CVSC Workshops • Coordinate with Members, contractors, Water Board, and Others • Review Legislation/Draft Legislative Language • Management and meetings with lobbyists and legislators and lobbyist reporting • Complete future Organizational Structure Plan • Develop and review with the board the 2026 budget and fee schedule • CVWQIF direct, review and support and reporting • Prepare, advertise, and coordinate the selection of future ED • Other General CVSC activities for half a year and transition CV-SALTS Support • Develop Agenda and attend/present Executive Committee Meetings • Plan and participation in PEOC Meetings • Plan and Participate in Salty 5 Meetings • Transition MZ, EC, and PEOC meetings P&O Study Support • Plan, coordinate, and direct technical consultants and review materials and issues • Contract management and coordination with invoice review and approval • Participate in team meetings, consultant meetings, Small Group meetings • Review materials, slides etc., and provide comments on drafts • P&O Fee Website Portal database updates, testing and review emails, and other outreach • P&O Participant support for payment and issues • New Participant evaluation and entry to the database • Meetings with State and Regional Board staff and members, as necessary • Assist in Executive Director transition and outreach, as necessary SAMP • Translate Board direction into the Database Portal for invoices for the Surveillance and Monitoring Program (SAMP) • Generate invoice changes and test • Outreach and Participant Support Management Zone (MZ) Assistance • Plan, organize and manage MZ Leaders Meetings & Workshops • Consolidate Regional Board communication and information requests, member reporting, etc. • Manage Dashboard consultant agreement • Review data reporting and dashboard reports • Coordinate meetings with State and Regional Water Board staff for operations and SAFER Funding, DFA, and DDW • Respond to public and Environmental Justice data requests • Provide information to EC, PEOC, and others outreach on the progress of the MZs and MZIPs
