ALABAMA SCENIC RIVER TRAIL / Executive Director (Posted: 11-10-08; Closes: 12-01-08)             

The Alabama Scenic River Trail (ASRT) association, a statewide river tourism forte, seeks a full-time Executive Director (ED) to manage, coordinate, expand, and invigorate the program format of the ASRT.  The ED person will be in charge of planning and implementing the numerous facets of the ASRT's focus, representing ASRT at conferences and meetings, making presentations, soliciting grants, and working with national, regional, and local partners to achieve the goals of the association.

 The Alabama Scenic River Trail  www.AlabamaScenicRiverTrail.com  is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association; the ED will report directly to the President and then the Board of Directors, which in turn will fashion goals for the ED to attain.

Mission Focus

• Create tourism travel in Alabama for all boaters, both human and motor powered.
• Strengthen communities’ tourism economic/monetary income through adjacent waterway travel use.
• Encourage environmental stewardship and conservation.
• Extend recreational opportunities with promotion of the waterway cooperating with public and private entities, volunteer organizations, municipalities and counties.
• Highlight the historic significance of these several waterways from early Indian trade to the present.
• Establish and fund a non-profit association to maintain the trail and coordinate community, private and public partnerships and events riverside.
  Primary Job Responsibilities                       

1. Lead and invigorate the ASRT's current and future policy directives.
2. Develop and implement campaign strategies for funding and events, including Paddle Alabama.
3. Develop agendas, annual work plans, quarterly reports, and program updates.
4. Provide presentations on the ASRT's programs and river issues to individuals, groups, private 
           and government agencies, and raise funding from these and other sources.
5, Prepare and submit cost scenario documents on proposed new and ongoing events.
6. Issue a quarterly newsletter, prepare and coordinate publicity with the state,
7. Achieve safety and/or training programs for youth and adults along our river corridor.
8. Assist other stewardship state groups in conservative practices along the ASRT.

                                                 Qualifications

1. Bachelor and/or graduate degree, or Equivalent  Experiences;  proficiency in canoe and/or kayak an advantage.
2. Enthusiasm and passion for expanding ASRT and personal commitment to conservation tactics.
3. Two or more years experience in outdoor recreation; experience in the non-profit sector a plus.
4. Basic knowledge of rivers of Alabama is an advantage.
5. Have valid USA Driver's License and Auto Insurance.
6. Basic knowledge of liability issues along river corridors is a plus.
7. Excellent organizational and time management skills.
8. Ability to self-motivate as well as highly motivate others, young and older.
9. Superior oral and communication skills; excellent networking skills.
10. Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with a variety of political, government, academic, and non-profit personnel..
11. Understanding of watershed and river systems and dynamics.
12. Ability and willingness to travel overnight occasionally and work flexible hours.

                       Annual compensation, benefits, vacations, and leave:

1.  Salary compensation commensurate with experience.  Minimum starting range $25,000
2. Generous vacation and comp. time policy.

To apply for the Executive Director position, please submit your resume, a cover letter, writing samples, three references, and a one page sample synopsis of your plan to accomplish our goals to:

Edgar and Associates., 218 East 12th Street, Anniston, Alabama 36207 or email to loydtheresa@gmail.com
NO PHONE CALLS.  Questions can be referred to our site.    www.AlabamaScenicRiverTrail.com

The Alabama Scenic River Trail has made remarkable progress since the project got underway in July 2006   Working with the Alabama Power Company, the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel and a host of volunteers from throughout the state, we have designed the route, implemented portages at all of the nine dams on the Trail, published four Trail Guides providing detailed information regarding the facilities, the creeks and scenery and the points of historic interest on the entire 631 miles, the longest water trail in a single state.  And, in an offer of $1,000 for the first to paddle the Trail had a kayaker cover the entire route in 12 days!

Excellent publicity, including a full page article in the New York Times and a feature in National Geographic, is bringing tourism dollars into the state.   One paddler even flew with his kayak all the way from Phoenix, Arizona just to join in the Grand Opening on June 6, 2008.   The economic impact experts from the National Park Service, Auburn and Alabama Universities report that success in other states indicates that we will be able to bring millions of dollars to counties and cities all along the Trail, especially for rural areas that have not in the past benefited from tourism dollars.

A full time Executive Director will be expected to expand into peripheral areas such as canoe and kayak classes for kids, environmental education and promotion of trips in sections of the Trail throughout the state.   For this to be successful, a Director will have to obtain financial support to make it work, be knowledgeable about the river, and paddling and marketing with proven ability to achieve the goals that have been set. We have a cadre of wonderful volunteers capable of assisting the Director's success.

Position is Contract Employment.  Contractor must supply office space, computer, printer and other office equipment.  Transportation and travel expenses are responsibility of contractor.  Contractor receives no employment benefits and must assume all other financial obligations, except IRS and state deductions which will be deducted from the bi-monthly paycheck.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible for day-to-day operations of Alabama Scenic River Trail.  Provide leadership in planning, developing and execution of policies and programs of the organization.  Establish pro-active Community Outreach Program and develop collaborative relationships with Chambers of Commerce, regional and statewide governments and municipalities, tourism organizations/activities and legislative delegations, both state and federal.

Actively seeks speaking opportunities to promote organization and represent Alabama Scenic River Trail at appropriate meetings, seminars, and conferences, as required.  Develops and makes presentations to promote Alabama Scenic River Trail.

Maintain close communication with President; Committee Chairs, general membership and consultants.  Recruit new members and maintain membership records.  Maintains all correspondence.  Oversees volunteer program and actively seeks opportunities to recruit volunteers.

Provide Meeting Planning services.  Be familiar with Roberts Rules of Order.  Plan and execute all facets of membership meetings, i.e., location, member notification, agenda, amenities, guest speaker acquisition, preparation of minutes, etc.

Develop, maintain and sell publication's inventory.  Develops and maintains appropriate sales spreadsheet and provides reports, as required.  Act as sales agent, handling all sales and shipping to customer.  Resolves sales conflicts as required.

Be familiar with all requirements of operating under the auspices of a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Seeks grant and donation opportunities from all sectors.  Writes grant applications.

Maintain and continuously update website.  Periodically develop new designs and initiatives to keep the site interesting and dynamic.

As required, design brochures and other lure pieces.

Coordinate all legal matters as required with appropriate designated legal counsel.

FISCAL AND BUDGETARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assist in preparation of Annual Budget of organization and prepares budget for special events.  Develops appropriate fiscal and production reports and submits at quarterly Board of Director's meetings.  Maintain checkbook and provides monthly report.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

Must have knowledge and experience with river-based recreation and familiar with statewide waterways and trails.  Must be supportive of human and motorized boating.

In coordination with local volunteers, chambers, tourism/visitors' activities and government entities, organize and oversee year-round river events such as: birding tours; moonlight paddle and constellations; conservation awareness; Paddle Alabama; motor boat events, etc.

Continually strive to improve riverside infrastructure, i.e., campsites at every 10 miles, appropriate signage at each campsite; information kiosks at each site; and other amenities as developed.

Extensive computer experience in Microsoft Word;  Excel, Google Earth and/or Terra Server; e-mail correspondence, with excellent grammar and punctuation.