Executive Director

The Earth Conservation Corps is the signature national service program in the District of Columbia for The Corps Network, the legacy organization of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps, which was the largest national service program in U.S. history.

Founded in 1989 by the H.W. Bush White House, the Earth Conservation Corps (ECC) is a community based and nationally recognized environmental service nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth living in Washington's stressed communities through service learning, habitat restoration, and environmental education.

Central to the ECC inspiring and leading the restoration of the Anacostia River was its adaptive reclamation of abandoned industrial riverfront buildings into community environmental action centers. The ECC has given teenagers a chance to transform their own lives by reclaiming the Anacostia River and sharing the healing power of nature in their community and the world.

The ECC is a template for youth engagement across the U.S. Today, Corps members run programs from an innovative, three-site campus modeled to best engage youth in environmental service and green job training.

• The ECC bridges the gap between the communities of Washington, D.C. and develops the interest, confidence, and pathways of under-resourced youth in STEAM subjects. Corps members focus on Environmental Education (Eagle Corps), Watershed Restoration (River Corps), and Youth Media Arts & Storytelling (Press Corps).
• The River of Hope Partnership is demonstrating the ECC’s leading model of sustainability by repurposing abandoned industrial buildings into an interconnected campus. Washington D.C.’s youth are mentored by leading scientists in the deployment of cutting-edge science tools as they restore the Anacostia River biodiversity and gain the tools to be the leaders in facing the looming challenges of climate change.
• Americorps Opportunity Youth focuses on leading and teaching volunteers through three central programs: Habitat Restoration, Media Arts, and Environmental Education.
• In 2024, the ECC’s public/private partnership will complete the buildout of the Green Jobs Academy. With the Academy, the ECC will scale their service to job training in the expanding trades of stream restoration, landscaping, solar, and urban forestry.

The River of Hope Campus is a dynamic, inter-connected active conservation of campuses in the DMV including:
• The Green Jobs & Raptor Academy -- The Wings Campus: A once abandoned dairy farm, the Wings Campus offers youth and families opportunities for outdoor education and environmental programming. The Wings Campus is the newest development of the ECC’s River of Hope Partnership.
• The Monique Johnson Anacostia Center: The ECC’s flagship community headquarters, the Capitol Pump House, is the active conservation launch pad for on-the-river restoration and the youth media arts studio.
• The Matthew Henson Center: The secondary pumphouse, filled with art, life, and raptors. This location was founded by the joint efforts of PEPCO, the National Park Service, Mayor Anthony Williams, and DHCD and is the base for all raptor programs in D.C.

The Opportunity:
At an exciting time of growth, ECC seeks an inspiring and mission-driven Executive Director (ED) to join their organization to define its next era of operation. Understanding the healing properties of life outdoors and motivated to create access points to connect in nature, this new leader will have the opportunity to build on over 30+ years of success while imagining new ways to create meaningful programs and events to serve the community. What makes the ECC a model that has been replicated is its collaborative use of the environment as a teaching tool to empower teenagers and volunteers to become part of the solution by restoring natural habitats, leading volunteers and publicly speaking about their environmental service.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will work in partnership with ECC’s staff, partners, Americorps Members, and volunteers to ensure the organization meets all strategic goals and objectives in accordance with their mission. With a person-first approach, the Executive Director will play a pivotal role in steering the organization's course, bringing needed resources, strategic funding and partnerships, and exercising leadership of the teams delivering all programs and administrative functions — leveraging the expertise and talents of staff.

This is an ideal role for a strong relationship builder, fundraiser, and community leader. The ED will be energized and dedicated to spending time in the community, with funders, and working alongside program participants; this is an ideal opportunity for a hands-on and innovative leader.

The bulk of the ECC’s revenue comes from foundations and government entities, and there is great opportunity to grow the individual giving sector at all participation levels. Earth Conservation Corps is recognized for empowering youth to accomplish vital hands-on Anacostia River restoration while deploying cameras to bring international attention - and resources - to fight the environmental and juvenile injustices plaguing their communities. The ECC and its team are a significant force for good in Anacostia.

Candidate Profile:
We recognize that there is a spectrum of lived and professional experiences that will set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position profile, ideal candidates will display many of the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
• Fundraising Excellence, Partnerships Development with Operations & Business Acumen
• Visionary Leader with a Strategic, Collaborative, Resourceful Mindset
• Passion for the Mission
• Collaborative Leader and Manager
• Excellent Communicator and Relationship Builder

Compensation & Benefits:
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $110,00-130,000 with a generous benefits package.

To view the full listing and apply, please visit: https://diversifiedsearchgroup.com/search/20739-ecc-executive-director/