Executive Director

The Department of Natural Resources is looking for an Executive Director to manage the operations of both the Flathead Basin Commission and the Upper Columbia Conservation Commission.  The incumbent must reside in the Upper Columbia Basin.

The Executive Director is responsible for managing operations of both the FBC and UC3 as a direct report to the division administrator of CARDD.  Leading two distinct Commissions, this position is responsible for forming and implementing each Commission’s strategic and operational plans in cooperation with the respective Commission’s elected chairperson and executive committee. 

The FBC has a broad natural resource directive within a defined watershed scope (Flathead Basin).  Conversely, the UC3 has a narrower natural resource focus (AIS monitoring and education and outreach) on a regional scale.  Both have aspects of their operations that may involve working in cooperation with federal, state, local, and Tribal governments as well First Nations and provincial governments (British Columbia and Alberta, Canada) and private entities.  Operational aspects of both Commissions involve raising funds to support their programs and projects from public and private sources, monitoring the use of those funds, and reporting to the sponsoring entities on their accomplishments.

Both Commissions will require the Executive Director to ensure program compliance with applicable Tribal, state, and federal requirements and rules, and statutory responsibilities.  This involves administering existing programs; assessing, obtaining, and allocating necessary financial and human resources; researching and implementing new policies, rules, and programs; administering grants; assessing and evaluating the effectiveness of programs and services; and correcting program deficiencies. This work requires knowledge of the concepts and theories of public administration, natural resources management, water quality and quantity, finance, law and in some cases specialized scientific knowledge. It will entail the management of staff, budgets, and policies.