Careers and Job Opportunities

VICE PRESIDENT

KEYSTONE ELK COUNTRY ALLIANCE

JOB DESCRIPTION

June 10, 2022The Keystone Elk Country Alliance (KECA), a 501(c)3 conservation organization is focused on conserving and protecting Pennsylvania’s elk country for future generations and is seeking qualified applicants for a Vice President of Operations role.  KECA is located in Benezette, Elk County, Pennsylvania.   Qualified candidates should provide their resume and letter of interest to Rawley Cogan (rawley@kecaus.com) and Dave Spigelmyer (djspiglemyer@yahoo.com). 

Job Title:                                Vice President Keystone Elk Country Alliance

Location:                                Elk Country Visitor Center Benezette, PA

SUMMARY:  The Keystone Elk Country Alliance is searching for a vibrant and passionate Vice President to play a leadership role in managing staff and overseeing departmental operations. The Vice President’s responsibilities include; overseeing internal operations at the Elk Country Visitor Center, helping to build strong membership, partner and customer relationships, maximizing KECA’s operating performance, and helping to achieve the organization’s financial goals. The Vice President supports the company’s President and must be able to step in when the President is away from the office or otherwise unavailable.  The Vice President must work closely with the Board of Directors and the various committees in preparation for Board of Director’s by-monthly meeting.  The Keystone Elk Country Alliance will be searching for this person that will be hired as a Vice President but to eventually replace the current President and CEO.  To be a successful Vice President, you should be innovative with strong leadership and managerial skills. You should be motivational, a good public speaker, confident, and goal-oriented and work closely with the Board of Directors.  An affinity to Pennsylvania’s Elk Country, its history and importance to the region’s economic development is preferred. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assisting the President and the Board of Directors to maintain alignment of the overall mission, values, and strategic goals.  Work closely with the goals, objectives and strategies set forth in the organization’s Strategic Plan 2020-2025.
• Attending meetings with the Board of Directors and sharing company information.  In addition to board meetings; prepare all relevant information for the meetings of the Board of Directors.  Work closely with the Chairman of the Board in preparing for each meeting. 
• Leading, guiding, directing, and evaluating the work of other employees, such as department heads and their staff, and ensuring a healthy and productive working environment.  These departments include; Guest Relations, Maintenance, Accounting, Communications and Marketing, Banquet Program, and Conservation Education. 
• Contributing to sales innovations, strategic business development, and the profitability of the organization as determined by the strategic plan.
• Evaluating the success of the organization in achieving its goals and formulating plans to correct any issues if the organization is not achieving its goals.
• Managing the organization’s operating performance to achieve financial targets, while employing strategies to generate revenue and manage costs. 
• Prepare the annual operating budget for the organization for consideration by the Board of Directors. 
• Signing documents and making commitments for which the organization is legally liable.

• Maintaining awareness of competitors, expansion opportunities, customers, markets, and new industry developments and standards.
• Attend fund-raising banquets as set forth by the Board of Directors

• Lead the organization’s Habitat Management projects across Pennsylvania’s Elk Range. Be thoroughly familiar with soil samples, interpretation of soil samples to calculate soil additives such as lime, seed and fertilizer. 
• Thorough knowledge of preferred wildlife forage, especially forage and habitat preferred by elk. Knowledge of elk’s use of forage and proximity to bedding areas, winter range, calving areas etc.   
• Be familiar with the Pennsylvania’s Game Commission and their roles and have the ability to discuss wildlife, primarily elk, management changes as it relates to the resources and communities.
• Work directly with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to adhere to the lease agreement and provide details as maintenance and special projects are undertaken.  

VICE PRESIDENT REQUIREMENTS:

• A Bachelor degree in Business, Environmental Science, Wildlife Science  or a related field. 
• 5 or more years of experience in a business managerial role.
• 5 or more years of experience managing and developing forage plots for wildlife.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, public speaking, and leadership skills.
• An innovative and motivational mentality.
• Excellent management, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Confident and goal-oriented.
• Exceptional people skills being able to motivate volunteers, donors and staff. 
• 3 or more years of experience managing contractors or project management.
• Live within a close proximity to the Elk Country Visitor Center.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Thorough knowledge of farm equipment is required; such as farm tractors, use of three-point hitch, implements such as disks, plows, no till drills, broadcast spreaders, cultipackers, mowers, lime spreaders etc.      

 EDUCATION and/or WORK EXPERIENCE:

A Master’s degree in Business, Environmental Science, Wildlife Management or a related field is preferred. 

COMPUTER SKILLS;

Knowledge of computer operations and related software is required such as; excel, word, internet explorer, and a thorough knowledge of topographic maps, software such onX Hunt, land survey experience is not required but preferred such as GPS for land surveyors.

 CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: 

Valid PA driver’s license.

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk and listen. Some travel, primarily by motor vehicle will be required.  The employee must lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.  The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment will be indoors and outdoors.