Job Description – Executive Director
To be considered, please email your resume with cover letter by June 15, 2025 to
SearchComm@centralpaconservancy.org. No calls please.
MISSION: Central Pennsylvania Conservancy (CPC) is an accredited, nonprofit land trust with a
mission to acquire, preserve, and protect local land and natural resources in South-Central
Pennsylvania. Active for almost 40 years, the organization serves a 6- county region, consisting
primarily of a focal area including Cumberland, Franklin, Perry, with occasional secondary
responsibilities in Dauphin, Juniata, and York Counties. Our vision is to create a local network of
permanently protected and preserved lands by fostering a community committed to conservation and
acquiring key lands and easements.
JOB TITLE: Executive Director
TIME COMMITMENT: Full-time
LOCATION: The CPC office is located at 401 East Louther St. in Carlisle, PA. CPC’s conservation
work occurs primarily throughout the Pennsylvania counties of Dauphin, Perry, Cumberland, Juniata,
and Franklin. Collaborative work with other organizations may occur in other neighboring counties.
SUMMARY OF POSITION: CPC is seeking an experienced, dynamic, and ambitious leader who can work
effectively with the Board of Directors, its committees, and staff to grow the organization, both
internally and externally, to advance its strategic goals and strategies. The Executive Director
(ED) works under the guidance of, and cooperatively with, the President and members of the Board of
Directors and oversees the work of several staff members. The ED is responsible for the successful
management of CPC and must therefore be a strong communicator, administrator, and manager.
Excellent interpersonal skills are essential since continued positive relations with Board members,
volunteers, landowners, governmental agencies, donors and staff are necessary for CPC to grow and
achieve its goals.
Primary responsibilities, with the support of staff, contractors and volunteers, include
fundraising, membership development, communications, budgeting, reporting, staffing, grant
application and management, and partnership development. The ED provides oversight, leadership,
management and facilitation to ensure success of CPC’s land protection and stewardship projects.
The ED may take responsibility for specific land protection projects or stewardship initiatives.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
FUNDRAISING:
• Oversee and direct fundraising and membership development activities, including designing and
implementing solicitations, and seeking financial support, grants, contracts and other assistance
from individuals, foundations, corporations, and public agencies
• Work with a consultant and the Board to develop and implement a long-term funding plan
• Develop and foster relationships with major donors to grow and sustain CPC’s
mission and programs according to established strategic goals
• Conduct two main fundraisers per year, with staff and Board members in support roles
COMMUNICATIONS:
• Represent CPC at meetings, conferences, and community or partner presentations
• Develop collaborative relationships with local, regional, and state conservation agencies and
organizations
• Communicate effectively with Board members, staff, volunteers, and donors
• Cultivate major donors
• Prepare and submit grant applications with assistance of staff and consultant
• Oversee staff creation of, at minimum, a quarterly e-newsletter with an ED note for each
e-newsletter
• Write an annual report, news releases and informational materials with support of staff
• Oversee CPC’s website with support of staff
• Oversee CPC’s social media accounts with support of staff
ADMINISTRATION & MANAGEMENT:
• Direct and conduct organizational management functions. Prepare and manage budgets and reports,
and oversee financial investments. Work with Administrative Specialist on day- to-day processing of
finances and work with the Board Treasurer and accountants on annual 501c3 tax return filing
requirements
• Provide written executive director reports for each Board meeting in conjunction with CPC’s
Administrative Specialist and Board Treasurer
• Assure that all tax, financial, and corporate documents are properly filed or submitted with
CPC’s Administrative Specialist and Board Treasurer
• Ensure that all CPC work follows the Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices, and that LTA
Accreditation is maintained and renewed every 5 years
• Manage all agreements and contracts entered into on behalf of CPC: track and meet deadlines,
submit invoices/budget updates, and produce reports with support from CPC’s Administrative
Specialist.
• Hire, supervise, develop, and evaluate staff in the performance of their assigned
duties
• Oversee CPC’s financial and record-keeping systems with support from CPC’s
Administrative Specialist
• Develop yearly operational budgets with assistance of Administrative Specialist, Board of
Directors, and accountant
• Coordinate CPC’s legal matters
• Serve at the direction of the Board of Directors and support ongoing strategic planning
efforts
LAND PROTECTION AND STEWARDSHIP:
• Oversee CPC’s program of land conservation, land acquisition, conservation
easements, stewardship and monitoring
• Work with staff, Board members, and volunteers to facilitate the implementation of land protection and stewardship programs
• In coordination with CPC staff and the Land Protection and Land Stewardship Committees manage
select projects as needed
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Demonstration of a strong personal interest in, and commitment to, the conservation of land and
natural resources
• A Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, environmental studies, nonprofit or business
administration, or a related field, and preferably five years of professional experience in a
related field. Experience with conservation and funding agencies in Pennsylvania is preferred
• Demonstrated experience with management of a non-profit organization, working with a Board of
Directors, or managing a large multi-faceted project
• Experience in supervising staff and/or volunteers with diplomacy and mutual trust
• Demonstrated success in fundraising or marketing/sales with particular experience desired in
major gift fundraising and securing and managing public and private grants
• Experience working for a land trust or conservation organization desired
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with computer applications, donor development databases, data storage and
record-keeping, and public presentations
• Familiarity with social media marketing and management is desired.
• Ability to interact well with a wide variety of people, including a Board of Directors, staff,
landowners, government officials, the press, donors, and the general public
• Familiarity with Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices as well as Accreditation
requirements
SALARY & BENEFITS:
• $82-87,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications
• $3,000 annual payment in lieu of benefits
• Simple IRA retirement plan with an employer match of up to 3%
• 20 days/year of paid leave (vacation + sick days), plus holidays
• Opportunity to conduct some work remotely as appropriate
• Support for training and development
WORKING CONDITIONS: Duties are performed primarily in the office, but also in the field on
occasion. Travel is required to various locations in the region for meetings, conferences, speaking
engagements, or site visits at conservation properties. Some evening and weekend events will be
required.
For more information about the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy, visit us online at
www.centralpaconservancy.org. CPC is an equal opportunity employer.
APPLICATION: To be considered, please email your resume with cover letter by June 15, 2025 to
SearchComm@centralpaconservancy.org. No calls please.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this job description has been designed to indicate the
general nature and level of work performed by incumbents within this job. It is not designed to be
interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and
working conditions required of this job. The Executive
Committee and the Board have the sole discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to
designate other functions as essential at any time. This job description is not an
employment agreement or contract.
To be considered, please email your resume with cover letter by June 15, 2025 to
SearchComm@centralpaconservancy.org. No calls please.
MISSION: Central Pennsylvania Conservancy (CPC) is an accredited, nonprofit land trust with a
mission to acquire, preserve, and protect local land and natural resources in South-Central
Pennsylvania. Active for almost 40 years, the organization serves a 6- county region, consisting
primarily of a focal area including Cumberland, Franklin, Perry, with occasional secondary
responsibilities in Dauphin, Juniata, and York Counties. Our vision is to create a local network of
permanently protected and preserved lands by fostering a community committed to conservation and
acquiring key lands and easements.
JOB TITLE: Executive Director
TIME COMMITMENT: Full-time
LOCATION: The CPC office is located at 401 East Louther St. in Carlisle, PA. CPC’s conservation
work occurs primarily throughout the Pennsylvania counties of Dauphin, Perry, Cumberland, Juniata,
and Franklin. Collaborative work with other organizations may occur in other neighboring counties.
SUMMARY OF POSITION: CPC is seeking an experienced, dynamic, and ambitious leader who can work
effectively with the Board of Directors, its committees, and staff to grow the organization, both
internally and externally, to advance its strategic goals and strategies. The Executive Director
(ED) works under the guidance of, and cooperatively with, the President and members of the Board of
Directors and oversees the work of several staff members. The ED is responsible for the successful
management of CPC and must therefore be a strong communicator, administrator, and manager.
Excellent interpersonal skills are essential since continued positive relations with Board members,
volunteers, landowners, governmental agencies, donors and staff are necessary for CPC to grow and
achieve its goals.
Primary responsibilities, with the support of staff, contractors and volunteers, include
fundraising, membership development, communications, budgeting, reporting, staffing, grant
application and management, and partnership development. The ED provides oversight, leadership,
management and facilitation to ensure success of CPC’s land protection and stewardship projects.
The ED may take responsibility for specific land protection projects or stewardship initiatives.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
FUNDRAISING:
• Oversee and direct fundraising and membership development activities, including designing and
implementing solicitations, and seeking financial support, grants, contracts and other assistance
from individuals, foundations, corporations, and public agencies
• Work with a consultant and the Board to develop and implement a long-term funding plan
• Develop and foster relationships with major donors to grow and sustain CPC’s
mission and programs according to established strategic goals
• Conduct two main fundraisers per year, with staff and Board members in support roles
COMMUNICATIONS:
• Represent CPC at meetings, conferences, and community or partner presentations
• Develop collaborative relationships with local, regional, and state conservation agencies and
organizations
• Communicate effectively with Board members, staff, volunteers, and donors
• Cultivate major donors
• Prepare and submit grant applications with assistance of staff and consultant
• Oversee staff creation of, at minimum, a quarterly e-newsletter with an ED note for each
e-newsletter
• Write an annual report, news releases and informational materials with support of staff
• Oversee CPC’s website with support of staff
• Oversee CPC’s social media accounts with support of staff
ADMINISTRATION & MANAGEMENT:
• Direct and conduct organizational management functions. Prepare and manage budgets and reports,
and oversee financial investments. Work with Administrative Specialist on day- to-day processing of
finances and work with the Board Treasurer and accountants on annual 501c3 tax return filing
requirements
• Provide written executive director reports for each Board meeting in conjunction with CPC’s
Administrative Specialist and Board Treasurer
• Assure that all tax, financial, and corporate documents are properly filed or submitted with
CPC’s Administrative Specialist and Board Treasurer
• Ensure that all CPC work follows the Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices, and that LTA
Accreditation is maintained and renewed every 5 years
• Manage all agreements and contracts entered into on behalf of CPC: track and meet deadlines,
submit invoices/budget updates, and produce reports with support from CPC’s Administrative
Specialist.
• Hire, supervise, develop, and evaluate staff in the performance of their assigned
duties
• Oversee CPC’s financial and record-keeping systems with support from CPC’s
Administrative Specialist
• Develop yearly operational budgets with assistance of Administrative Specialist, Board of
Directors, and accountant
• Coordinate CPC’s legal matters
• Serve at the direction of the Board of Directors and support ongoing strategic planning
efforts
LAND PROTECTION AND STEWARDSHIP:
• Oversee CPC’s program of land conservation, land acquisition, conservation
easements, stewardship and monitoring
• Work with staff, Board members, and volunteers to facilitate the implementation of land protection and stewardship programs
• In coordination with CPC staff and the Land Protection and Land Stewardship Committees manage
select projects as needed
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Demonstration of a strong personal interest in, and commitment to, the conservation of land and
natural resources
• A Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, environmental studies, nonprofit or business
administration, or a related field, and preferably five years of professional experience in a
related field. Experience with conservation and funding agencies in Pennsylvania is preferred
• Demonstrated experience with management of a non-profit organization, working with a Board of
Directors, or managing a large multi-faceted project
• Experience in supervising staff and/or volunteers with diplomacy and mutual trust
• Demonstrated success in fundraising or marketing/sales with particular experience desired in
major gift fundraising and securing and managing public and private grants
• Experience working for a land trust or conservation organization desired
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with computer applications, donor development databases, data storage and
record-keeping, and public presentations
• Familiarity with social media marketing and management is desired.
• Ability to interact well with a wide variety of people, including a Board of Directors, staff,
landowners, government officials, the press, donors, and the general public
• Familiarity with Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices as well as Accreditation
requirements
SALARY & BENEFITS:
• $82-87,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications
• $3,000 annual payment in lieu of benefits
• Simple IRA retirement plan with an employer match of up to 3%
• 20 days/year of paid leave (vacation + sick days), plus holidays
• Opportunity to conduct some work remotely as appropriate
• Support for training and development
WORKING CONDITIONS: Duties are performed primarily in the office, but also in the field on
occasion. Travel is required to various locations in the region for meetings, conferences, speaking
engagements, or site visits at conservation properties. Some evening and weekend events will be
required.
For more information about the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy, visit us online at
www.centralpaconservancy.org. CPC is an equal opportunity employer.
APPLICATION: To be considered, please email your resume with cover letter by June 15, 2025 to
SearchComm@centralpaconservancy.org. No calls please.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this job description has been designed to indicate the
general nature and level of work performed by incumbents within this job. It is not designed to be
interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and
working conditions required of this job. The Executive
Committee and the Board have the sole discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to
designate other functions as essential at any time. This job description is not an
employment agreement or contract.
