Sustainable Forestry Initiative Seeks Vice President, Education

At the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®), we believe that sustainable forests are critical to our collective future. SFI is a sustainability leader through our work in standards, conservation, community, and education. As an independent, non-profit organization, we collaborate with our diverse network to provide solutions to local and global sustainability challenges. SFI works with the forest sector, brand owners, conservation groups, resource professionals, landowners, educators, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, governments, and universities. SFI is governed by an independent three-chamber board of directors representing environmental, social, and economic sectors equally.

 

The Project Learning Tree (PLT) initiative within the Education and Career Pathways pillar at SFI is committed to advancing environmental education, forest literacy, and green career pathways, using trees and forests as windows on the world. Our award-winning environmental education, forest literacy, and career pathway resources offer a lifetime of learning from early childhood through adulthood. Our wide and diverse PLT Network provides professional development for educators and opportunities for young people to explore nature and the diversity of green careers in the forest and conservation sector. Together, we are growing future forest and conservation leaders.

 

 

The VP, Education advances PLT’s goal of advancing environmental education, forest literacy, and career pathways while embracing the ambitious plan of growing the scale and reach of PLT. The VP, Education is responsible for establishing and delivering on PLT’s strategic direction as well as developing, integrating, and implementing US government stakeholder relations activities relative to education programming. The position also oversees program operations and governance, while developing and nurturing relationships at state, national, and global scales. The VP, Education will oversee the environmental education and forest literacy work and work collaboratively with the career pathways leadership to look for ways to scale the reach of educational materials and programming. This position will prioritize Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), across all collaborative work, and will prioritize Indigenous ways of knowing in the development, execution, and communication of all SFI-led or partnered projects.

 

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Strategic Leadership and Partnership Development:

• Sustain and continue to cultivate PLT’s strong network of partnerships and strategic alliances to strengthen and expand the adoption of existing programs, develop new initiatives and programs, and bring in new sources of revenue at the state, national and international levels.
• Lead US government relations education and career pathways work, increasing PLT relevancy and integration into government programs and priorities to expand adoption, and secure long-term partnerships and funding.
• Engage with key decision makers within the US federal government, environmental education, and education networks, identifying and elevating alignment between its priorities and PLT offerings and programs.
• Develop and execute innovative strategies to reach pre-service teachers with PLT curriculum and professional development to build an appreciation for PLT from the outset of their career.
• Develop and execute innovative strategies to engage district school boards and ensure their leadership values the contributions of PLT to learning outcomes and relevance to professional development. Prioritize initiatives that strengthen the relevance of PLT curriculum resources and professional development to formal education (e.g. correlations to national academic standards).
• Lead strategy for PLT, interfacing with the CEO on strategic priorities, ensuring the sustainability of existing programs and maintaining its strengths while driving program innovation to broaden the relevance, reach, and impact in diverse communities.
• Oversee PLT’s global strategy, sustaining existing global networks in Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Chile, and grow PLT’s international reach.
• Demonstrate PLT’s leadership in education, forest literacy, and career pathways within a wide range of stakeholder groups.
• Oversee ongoing formative and summative evaluation efforts to ensure ongoing assessment and reflection on the success of products, programs, and initiatives in meeting strategic goals, with a focus on PLT priorities.
• Engage coalitions and grassroots networks to ensure positive outcomes for environmental education policies and issues including forest and climate literacy.
• Enable the education staff to engage and elevate PLT Network achievements to increase program sustainability and scale effective programs, including contributing to the PLT Annual Conference.

Fundraising and Finance:

• Lead the creation and execution of an effective fundraising strategy, in conjunction with VP, Sales and Development, and CFO to ensure PLT’s long-term sustainability.
• Develop opportunities including nurturing corporate and government partnerships that lead to continued long-term funding and funding growth.
• Guide and oversee the development and management of budgets and work plans for all education programs.
• Provide strategic leadership and insight to VP, Sales and Development, and Director, Sales and Marketing in ongoing evaluation and decision-making related to production, pricing, warehousing, shipping, and sales of PLT resources including print and digital materials.

Communications and Brand Elevation:

• Serve as a compelling external representative and principal spokesperson for PLT and SFI at key community and education events.
• Initiate and assist with the development of communication strategies, interfacing with the VP, Communications and Government Relations, to promote environmental education, forest literacy, and career pathways to key audiences and positively engage the PLT and SFI Implementation Committee (SIC) networks.
• Contribute to PLT’s national marketing and communication strategies to build brand awareness and engage diverse audiences.
• Oversee PLT’s market research initiatives, ensuring that product development leads to new and expanded revenue from sales and development efforts.

Operations:

• Oversee the PLT staff in planning, implementation, management, and evaluation of the PLT program, ensuring that an appreciation of the multiple benefits of trees and forests are prioritized in all its curriculum and professional development offerings.
• Oversee the governance of the PLT Education Operating Committee and contribute to the SFI and PLT Canada Board of Directors meetings.
• Serve as an effective member of SFI’s senior leadership team.
• Ensure integration of PLT with other SFI initiatives.

 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position is responsible for managing and developing the Education pillar team, including the team reporting structure. Currently, mid-level Education team leadership includes the Sr. Director, Professional Learning and Education Products, and the Director, Education & PLT Network. These roles, in turn, supervise the Sr. Manager, Education; Manager, Online Learning; Coordinator, Forest Education; Curriculum Advisor (consultant); Sr. Manager, Partnerships and Development; Sr. Coordinator, Education Systems; Coordinator, PLT Network.

This position has the potential opportunity to oversee career pathways work in the US, based on team priorities and the candidate’s skills, experience, passion, and bandwidth. However, PLT’s Green Jobs program in Canada falls outside the scope of this role.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

Physical requirements include the ability to work from a desk at a computer for prolonged periods of time. This position requires travel to the US and Canada, up to 30% of time.

 

OFFICE AND COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

This position will be expected to report to the downtown DC office two days per week, possibly increasing to three days. We strongly encourage employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

 

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in business, education or natural resources, required. MBA or Master’s degree in a related field preferred.
• Highly strategic and entrepreneurial leader with 10+ years of relevant experience in senior-level management.
• 5+ years of experience leading national educational programs that appeal to and meet the needs of culturally and socioeconomically diverse stakeholder groups.
• Deep knowledge of the needs and priorities of formal, non-formal, and pre-service educators, the education sector, and conservation and environmental education.
• Experience designing creative new strategic initiatives driving successful program expansion at national and global levels and developing new business models to support growth.
• Desirable: direct experience in environmental education, forestry, and/or natural resources sectors; understanding of Canadian environmental education and formal education contexts; knowledge and/or experience working with career pathways programs; knowledge and/or experience with connecting outdoor learning to human health and healthcare.
  
  
  

QUALIFICATIONS/PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

The ideal candidate will bring:

• Passion for environmental education, trees, and forests, and a commitment to growing education programs to create a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive future for all;
• Possesses a strong network of strategic partners, including in government and district school boards, and is highly skilled at managing a diverse network;
• Strong business acumen; Innovative and strategic;
• Exceptional communication and public speaking skills; ability to serve as a compelling and engaging spokesperson of the organization;
• Strong cultural competence and a commitment to prioritizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging across all work;
• Ability to translate big ideas into effective strategies with all levels of stakeholders;
• Creative, high-energy, positive, and flexible team player who seizes new opportunities;
• Ability to lead, inspire and develop a high-functioning, collaborative, and diverse hybrid team;
• Positive attitude and high energy, enjoyment working cooperatively in a hybrid team environment, and will prioritize the mission over individual agendas;
• Track record for managing multiple complex projects in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities, handling tasks with diplomacy, tenacity, patience, and a drive for results;
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to effectively plan, analyze, and meet deadlines;
• Proficiency with PCs and Microsoft Office suite;
• Superior written and verbal communications skills;
• Secondary language skills, particularly French and Spanish, a plus.

 

HOW TO APPLY

We strive to be a diverse and inclusive organization that strongly supports the growth and development of its people.  As such, we realize that not every candidate will perfectly meet all the requirements outlined in this (or any) posting.  If you believe you bring the “must have” experiences, skills, and qualifications, and are confident that you can learn the rest, we encourage you to go ahead and apply for a position with us.

Please apply on our website at https://forests.org/jointhesfiteam/

Applications will be accepted until June 19, 2023, or until the position is filled.

 

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SFI is proud to provide our employees with a collaborative, dynamic, and rewarding professional experience, with a competitive compensation and benefits package and growth opportunities. We are committed to creating a diverse environment and being an equal opportunity employer. Our team represents a broad range of cultures, education, disciplines, and work and life experiences, and we strive to leverage these differences in our daily work. We will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic. We believe in creating an empowered and supportive team that is committed to advancing sustainability through forest-focused collaborations.

Learn more about SFI Staff Culture, read our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy, and review our Indigenous Relations Commitment.