Houston Operating Site Director

1. Leverage new partnerships and opportunities:
   • Collaborate directly with the CEO to network and build relationships with state and local entities to identify potential conservation, natural resource management, recreation infrastructure, coastal restoration, and disaster response projects, ensuring that crews have adequate fee-for-service projects to sustain the program finances;
   • Collaborate with Chief Operating Officer, AYW-CC Director, and program personnel to develop project contracts/agreements, entering all relevant information into database systems;
   • Develop and maintain project partner relationships with an aim toward sustainability;
   • Identify and participate in strategic multi-stakeholder initiatives that will enhance visibility in our service areas;
   • Utilize existing tracking and reporting tools and strategies for partner cultivation;
   • Assist CEO and AYW-CC Program Director and Chief Development Officer (CDO) in identifying funding sources and submitting applications to maintain adequate revenue streams for sustainable programming.
2. Manage day-to-day programmatic operations with an ongoing focus on safety risk management, building an intentionally diverse and inclusive community of staff and participants,  creating a supportive learning environment for participants, and constantly strengthening systems and procedures:
   • Work collaboratively with the Conservation Corps Program Director, CEO, and other personnel as needed to assess the needs and opportunities of the Houston program area and create strategies, measurable goals, and timelines to meet those needs;
   • Ensure risk management strategies are consistently utilized by staff and program participants;
   • Maintain connection with the members' experience in the program and continually examine operational systems from the perspective of how the systems serve the members' needs.
3. Maintain regular weekly communication via email, teleconference, video, or in-person with Program Director to discuss:
   • Program accomplishments and updates, professional development for staff and members, support needs, and upcoming opportunities for partnership and program growth;
   • Collaborate and respond promptly to requests from the AYW-CC Program Director, COO, CEO, CDO, and other personnel as needed to work closely on the goals and needs of the program and its sustainability.
4. Ensure all program activities are in compliance with grants and supporting grant management:
   • Coordinate with the Program Operations & Compliance Director and CDO to complete grant-reporting requirements through project tracking and program/participant documentation, and provide leadership for outstanding grant compliance and monitoring techniques.
5. Manage administrative functions:
   • Develop and implement program budget with guidance from the Director of Finance and Program Director;
   • Participate in monthly budget-focused calls with the Program Director and Finance Director;
   • Ensure that all expense data and required paperwork is submitted in a timely manner and complete;
   • Ensure all Organization and  programmatic rules, regulations, policy, and procedures are followed;
   • Ensure progress is made toward the goals outlined in the Strategic Plan.
6. Provide excellent leadership and support to Program staff and participants:
   • Collaborate with the Human Resources department to;
     • Cultivate a respectful and inclusive working community;
     • Implement a variety of performance management strategies, including quarterly performance reviews;
     • Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and professional development opportunities to staff to ensure staff continually grow in expertise and skills;
     • Following the organization's hiring guidelines, interview and hire new staff and provide onboarding support.
   • Support and assist Field Coordinators in leading and training AmeriCorps crew leaders and members in specialized conservation service skills;
   • Facilitate weekly staff meetings;
   • Cultivate and support a sense of community and esprit de corps among program participants and the entire organization.
7. Support the Conservation Corps program staff in the collaborative development and implementation of crew leader and member orientation.
8. Coordinate with the Workforce Development Manager and field staff to provide ongoing training for AmeriCorps crew leaders and members in the following areas:
   • Growth and development;
     • Leadership skills;
     • Tool use, inventory, and maintenance;
     • PPE, gear, and uniforms;
     • Vehicles, inspections, routine logs, and repairs;
     • Project and time management skills;
     • Mid and end-of-term evaluation processes;
     • Job readiness and career transition skills.
   • Safety standards for the program overall, on-site projects, as well as tool use and vehicle operation;
   • Technical conservation  skills:
     • Sustainable trail building, habitat restoration, invasive species removal, wildfire mitigation, and disaster response;
     • Park infrastructure, building, and maintenance;
     • Environmental project monitoring.
   • Coordinate with Conservation Corps staff and partners to provide disaster response training.
9. Provide oversight and support of crews serving on conservation and disaster relief projects:
   • Perform site visits to monitor activities in the field;
   • Transport members to project sites or other locations as needed, i.e., Urgent Care, presentations.
10. Provide oversight of conservation, coastal restoration, and disaster response projects:
    • Communicating with project partners to ensure project development is on schedule via teleconference or in person, which may include travel;
    • Coordinating projects with colleagues and with project partners, including developing contracts/agreements (for direct supervisor review), scheduling, and logistics planning;
    • Ensuring projects are successful and completed within the specified timeline;
    • Responsibly purchasing supplies needed for project work and program development.
11. Attend relevant conservation and disaster response conferences and training;
12. Other duties as assigned.

Internal Operations:

1. Foster a success-oriented culture of accountability within the organization;
2. Contribute to the development of the Organization strategic goals and objectives, and ensure that staff and program operations are aligning with the strategic plan;
3. Spearhead the development, coordination, communication, and implementation of effective growth strategies and processes, as they relate to the department;
4. Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality;
5. Develop, review, revise, and implement standard operating procedures, an appropriate system of policies, and internal controls, as they relate to the department;
6. Stays informed of current trends and shares insights with AYW leadership in the context of program direction, funding, and risk management;
7. Ensures organization complies with all grantor, funder, federal, state, and local requirements;
8. Coordinates immediately with the Program Director and COO regarding all matters related to legal problems or lawsuits;
9. Manage risk as it relates to the department, and inform the Program Director and COO of potential risk concerns.

Human Resources:

1. Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, conduct annual performance appraisals, and administer salary adjustments;
2. Ensure managers of the department are establishing and monitoring staff performance and development goals, assigning accountabilities, setting objectives, establishing priorities, conducting timely performance appraisals, and administering salary adjustments.