Proudly serving the local community since 1961, the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains (RCDSMM) offers programs and services focused on watershed management, restoration, research, and education throughout the Santa Monica Mountains and surrounding areas. The RCDSMM plans and implements riparian and wetland restoration projects, conducts monitoring for various sensitive habitats and species, works toward the recovery of endangered fish populations, implements habitat creation and enhancement, plans interpretive design projects, works to build more wildfire resilient communities and landscapes and coordinates environmental education programs for learners of all levels.

Introduction

Under the direction of the District Manager, the Director of Education and Community Engagement ensures the development, implementation, and evaluation of high-quality, standards-aligned educational programming delivered through onsite, field-based, and virtual platforms. This is a supervisory position which serves as the District’s lead for education and community outreach strategy, program development, and instructional quality.

The Director also plays a critical role in advancing the District’s education and community engagement portfolio through the pursuit, development, and management of grant funding and external resources. This includes identifying funding opportunities, leading or supporting grant proposal development, and ensuring successful implementation and compliance of funded programs. The position contributes to organizational leadership and cross-department coordination as a member of the management team.

Major Duties

SUPERVISION

• People Leadership & Development
• Provides full supervision of assigned education staff, including hiring, onboarding, training, and professional development
• Builds a high-performing, inclusive, and collaborative team culture
• Performance Management & Accountability
• Establishes clear performance expectations and conducts regular evaluations
• Administers disciplinary and corrective actions in alignment with District policies
• Work Planning & Oversight
• Assigns, prioritizes, and monitors work to ensure timely, high-quality program delivery
• Provides guidance on instructional practices, curriculum development, and program implementation
• Workplace Culture, Equity & Compliance
• Promotes equitable, inclusive, and culturally responsive education practices
• Ensures compliance with workplace safety requirements and applicable regulations

EDUCATION PROGRAM LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

• Program Strategy & Development
• Leads the planning, development, and evaluation of the District’s education programs
• Establishes program goals, priorities, and outcomes aligned with the District’s mission and strategic plan
• Curriculum-Education Programs
• Oversees development and implementation of standards-based, curriculum-aligned programs
• Ensures alignment with applicable state education standards and best practices in environmental education
• Collaborates with educators, schools, and partners to enhance program relevance and impact
• Non-Curriculum Community Engagement Programs
• Oversees non-curriculum-based education initiatives, including experiential learning opportunities
• Supports development of engaging, accessible learning experiences for diverse and multi-generational audiences
• Builds relationships with underserved, underrepresented, and historically marginalized communities to understand community priorities and needs
• Collaborates with community members and partners to co-create programs and opportunities that reflect community knowledge, perspectives, and interests
• Program Delivery & Innovation
• Ensures effective delivery of programs across onsite, field-based, and virtual platforms
• Identifies opportunities for innovation, expansion, and improvement in program design and delivery
• Evaluation & Impact Measurement
• Develops and implements systems to evaluate program effectiveness and outcomes
• Uses data to inform decision-making, continuous improvement, and reporting

FINANCE & FUNDING DEVELOPMENT

• Budgeting & Resource Management
• Develops and manages education program budgets, including grant-funded initiatives with guidance and oversight from District Manager and Director of Operations and Finance
• Monitors expenditures and ensures responsible use of resources 
• Funding Strategy & Opportunity Identification
• Identifies, tracks, and evaluates grant and funding opportunities aligned with education program goals
• Develops and implements strategies to expand and sustain education funding streams
• Grant Pursuit & Proposal Development
• Leads or significantly contributes to the development, writing, and submission of competitive grant proposals
• Collaborates with internal staff and external partners to develop strong, fundable program concepts
• Aligns program design with grant requirements, outcomes, and evaluation criteria
• Grant Management & Compliance
• Oversees implementation of grant-funded education programs to ensure deliverables, timelines, and outcomes are met
• Ensures compliance with all funding requirements, reporting obligations, and documentation standards
• Funder Relationships & Stewardship
• Builds and maintains relationships with grantors, foundations, and public funding agencies
• Represents the District in meetings and communications with funders

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP & PARTNERSHIPS

• Strategic Leadership & Advising
• Serves as a key member of the senior management team
• Advises the District Manager on education operations, finance, and personnel matters
• Contributes to organizational strategy, policy development, and priority setting
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Promotes a culture of accountability, transparency, and high-quality public service
• Collaborates with other departments to align informal and formal education programs with broader District initiatives
• Supports integration of education into conservation, outreach, and community engagement efforts 
• External Partnerships & Representation
• Builds and maintains partnerships with schools, educators, community organizations, and agencies
• Represents the District in meetings, committees, and public forums as assigned
• Advocacy & Community Engagement
• Promotes the value of environmental education and the District’s programs within the community
• Supports efforts to expand access and equity in education programming 
• Acting Authority
• In coordination with the District Manager, assumes responsibility for District operations in the absence of the District Manager when assigned.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED

Performs other related duties as assigned in support of District operations and priorities.

COMPETENCIES FOR DIRECTOR

• Outdoor Educational Leadership - Provides strategic leadership for high-quality environmental education programs 
• Operational Excellence - Drives results, ensures accountability, and meets grant deliverables
• Leadership & Supervision - Recruits, develops, and empowers high-performing teams.
• Communication & Influence - Builds alignment internally and externally, across agency, partners, and community stakeholders
• Strategic Leadership - Sets vision and direction to advance the District's education mission 
• Collaboration & Partnerships - Builds partnerships and advances environmental education initiatives with internal and external partners

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Studies have shown that underrepresented people often do not apply for technical jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification or requirement listed in a job description. Conversely, people with identities overrepresented in these fields often do not hesitate to apply for jobs even if they do not meet all stated qualifications. RCDSMM does not expect one person to perfectly fit this job description prior to holding a similar position for several years. RCDSMM wants the right fit, for both the employee and for RCDSMM.  Prior experience may be transferable, even if it is outside what is described herein. Training and professional development is available to RCDSMM employees to help improve skills. Passionate and interested people with the core competencies listed above are encouraged to apply.  

PREFERRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Environmental Education, Natural Resources, Public Administration, or a closely related field
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in environmental education curriculum-based program development and implementation
• At least 4 years of supervisory or management experience with responsibility for staff oversight and team leadership, employee conduct and performance management, and performance evaluation
• Experience pursuing, writing, and securing grants from public agencies, foundations, or other funding sources
• Experience managing grant-funded programs, including compliance, reporting, and deliverables
• Experience working with K–12 schools, educators, and/or education systems
• Experience designing and delivering informal education programs for diverse audiences such as community outreach and engagement programs
• Knowledge of California state education standards and instructional best practices
• Experience with program evaluation, data collection, and impact reporting
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including grant writing and reporting
• Proficiency in standard business software (e.g., Microsoft and Google Office Suite) and virtual learning platforms
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal staff, leadership, educators, and external community partners
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism
• Valid California driver’s license and ability to travel locally as needed
• Spanish speakers are highly encouraged to apply!

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This is a hybrid position with at least two days per week in office or field
• This position will require some holidays, nights, and potential weekends
• This position will require long periods of sedentary desk work 
• This position may be required to stand, stoop, kneel, bend, hike in even terrain, crouch and lift up to 25 pounds
• This position works with a diverse group of individuals and communities

BENEFITS

• Additional $800 monthly health stipend 
• Employee Assistance Program
• CalPERS state retirement system
• Optional 457 retirement plan (no RCD contribution), 
• Accrual of up to 12 days of sick time a year and 2 weeks of vacation (increasing with years of service) 
• 14 paid holidays per year
• $50 per month cell phone stipend
• Bilingual Pay: Additional $0.50/hour for spoken fluency or $1.00/hour for spoken & written fluency. Contingent on passing exam.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants must submit:

• Resume (not to exceed 2 pages)
• Cover Letter (not to exceed 2 pages)
• Documents must not include pictures or headshots of applicant.