Description

Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary (RWS) is seeking a strong, experienced professional who is passionate about wildlife and its importance to the environment. The Executive Director (ED) will lead the Sanctuary forward in advancing its three-pronged mission:

1. Rescuing and rehabilitating injured and orphaned native wildlife in Central Virginia and releasing them back into the wild.
2. Informing the community about what to do when an injured or orphaned wild animal is found and who to contact for help with the animal.
3. Educating the residents of Central Virginia about the habitats and needs of native wildlife and how to best support wildlife conservation.

Job Duties

Reporting to the Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED) will
have overall strategic and operational responsibility for the organization’s staff, programs,
expansion, fundraising and execution of mission. The ED is expected to have a sound
knowledge of effective wildlife rehabilitation practices as well as exemplary skills in managing a
nonprofit organization.

● Development (Fundraising and Outreach): 50%
○ Lead all fundraising activities and assume final responsibility for successfully
meeting annual fundraising goals; work closely with the RWS Board to ensure its
members are effective partners in fund- and friend-raising initiatives.
○ Maintain effective Board relations by staying in regular communication with
Board President and members; participate as a resource member to the Board
for all activities as requested.
○ Assist in recruiting and vetting new Board members to support advancement of
the Sanctuary’s mission.
○ Oversee and lead donor cultivation efforts ensuring that donors are appropriately
recognized for their contributions in a timely manner.
○ Maintain CRM software donor database, ensuring both Board and Staff members
are reporting donor or potential donor contacts regularly; effectively utilize donor
information to identify prospects for further cultivation, major gifts, and
appropriate stewardship.
○ Direct communications for RWS by guiding all digital, print, and earned media,
including managing the Sanctuary’s social media accounts (Facebook,
Instagram, TikTok), writing content for the RWS website, and collaborating with
RWS staff to write and develop the printed fall and spring newsletters; write press
releases and cultivate relationships with news outlets/reporters to showcase the
efforts and successes of RWS; serve as the Sanctuary’s public face by
appearing on news and radio stories when needed.
○ Lead and implement community education and outreach strategies utilizing board
members, RWS staff and volunteers as needed to effectively reach into the
community; monitor effectiveness of these strategies on an annual basis.
○ Support grant writing activities by providing statistics, information and other data
to grant writers as requested; identify annual grant funding goals and priorities
with the Board.

● Management (Human Resources and Administrative): 40%
○ Lead hiring activities for all RWS staff and interns; ensure appropriate practices
and protocols are in place for onboarding new employees.
○ Supervise, evaluate, and provide guidance to the Rehabilitation Program
Manager (RPM) to ensure that the highest standards of animal care are followed.
○ Conduct annual performance review for the RPM; co-conduct performance
reviews for other staff with the RPM, such as rehabilitation and outreach
employees.
○ Ensure a positive, professional, and safe working environment at all times for
both humans and animals; ensure daily and systemic commitment to diversity
and inclusion and ensure RWS remains a welcoming space for all personnel.
○ Oversee implementation of policies and practices approved by the Board.
○ Manage overall RWS budget, ensuring effective and efficient use of resources;
request emergency funding from Board as needed and make payments for all
RWS invoices.
○ Process biweekly payroll using Intuit QuickBooks; schedule payroll tax payments;
work closely with Board Treasurer to accurately categorize expenses in
QuickBooks.
○ Manage shared general inquiry RWS email account and train staff on appropriate
responses to public inquiries about animals in need, outreach programs,
volunteer interest, etc.
○ Write monthly Operations Report and attend monthly meetings with the Board of
Directors.
○ Serve as point of contact between Board and Staff, implementing Board
initiatives and advocating for Staff needs where appropriate.

● Rehabilitation (Animal Care): 10%
○ Apply for and maintain an annual wildlife rehabilitation permit through VDWR.
○ Provide guidance for Rehabilitation Program Manager as needed; work with the
RPM to develop and improve rehabilitation protocols and make final rehabilitation
decisions.
○ Answer the phone and respond to rehabilitation-related questions from the
public; collaborate with RPM staff and interns to ensure consistent and clear
communications with the public and community.
○ Assist RPM in developing biosecurity protocols and monitor standards of
cleanliness in nurseries, kitchen, laundry room and outdoor enclosures to ensure
health and safety of animals and RWS team members.
○ Provide back-up support for animal care if needed.

Skills Required

The ED will have experience leading and managing a nonprofit organization and will also have demonstrated experience in wildlife rehabilitation and/or wildlife advocacy. The successful candidate for this position will have strong development skills and will have experience in building authentic partnerships within and across communities to advance the mission of a nonprofit organization. The ED will be able to measure the organization’s success and advocate for financial resources to create improvements.

The successful applicant will furthermore have demonstrated initiative, creativity, flexibility and inspirational leadership for implementing program enhancements in their workplaces. The ED will work collaboratively with the RWS Board of Directors to identify priorities, contribute to strategic planning, and create fundraising strategies. Ultimately, the ED will be a dynamic and devoted individual who is excited to share our mission with our established donor base, prospective supporters, foundation representatives, and corporate partners. The ED will be expected to work with the Board and RWS staff to develop and implement strategies for accomplishing organizational goals.

Preferred Qualifications
● A working knowledge of wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife management, and/or natural
history for species native to Virginia.
● Knowledge of state and federal regulations related to the handling and care of wildlife.
● Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
● Ability to work outdoors in a variety of conditions, as needed.
● Experience working with donor management databases like Salesforce or Little Green
Light and e-marketing tools like Mailchimp.

Work Schedule

Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary is a 24 hour operation with significant seasonal shifts consistent with wildlife baby season. The executive director will need to be available to staff for questions and emergencies but will likely work a more traditional weekday, daytime schedule.