Employment Opportunities

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

The National Park Foundation is seeking to recruit an Executive Vice President to oversee the Foundation’s day to day operations.

About the National Park Foundation

In 1967, with support from Lady Bird Johnson and an initial $1 million contribution from Laurance Rockefeller, the National Park Foundation was established to strengthen the connection between the American people and their National Parks by raising private funds, making strategic grants, creating innovative partnerships and increasing public awareness. For over forty years, and without federal appropriations, the National Park Foundation (NPF), chartered by Congress as the only national charitable partner of the National Park Service, has sustained this legacy of private philanthropy.

In 2011, the Board and staff of NPF embarked on an important strategic planning process. The strategic planning process defined the beneficiaries and outcomes as well as the focuses of the Foundation’s future efforts. The concepts below were reiterated throughout the strategic planning process as crucial to ensuring the long term viability and success of the Foundation:

The National Park Service is the primary beneficiary of NPF’s work, and pursuant to the charter and working through NPS, the Foundation also provides support to two secondary beneficiaries:

• Local park philanthropy organizations by building their philanthropic capacity.
• General public by building a base of philanthropic support.

The most important outcome of the NPF’s activities is to increase private donations, promotional outreach, in-kind support and citizen engagement for the National Park Service.

The following core values were established to guide the NPF’s work:

• Philanthropy: We believe private resources are critical to enhancing America’s national parks, monuments, historic places and programs.
• Stewardship: We believe the national parks are our treasured resources and that all Americans have a responsibility to understand protect and care for them.
• Outreach: We believe that by engaging people across all ages, races and backgrounds that we will create the next generation of park supporters.
• Partnership: We value quality relationships and partnerships that best multiply direct, positive impacts to the National Park Service.

Commitment to the National Park Service: We are dedicated to working jointly with the National Park Service, to advance our mutually beneficial relationship built on trust, collaboration and a shared vision for our national parks.

• Vitality: We possess a strong bias for innovative investments and actions that build a financially and operationally strong Foundation (NPF).
• Accountability: We place a premium on carefully measuring and clearly communicating how donor resources are being invested to support the NPF mission.

The Board and staff also identified the following strategic priorities as guiding the NPF:

• Define operational efficiency and effectiveness measures and implement a process to capture and report on these metrics.
• Execute a strategic communication plan that expands audience reach, increases fundraising, establishes brand awareness and delivers a consistent and compelling message (with the general public and within the NPS).
• Implement a set of local and national programs to assist local non-profit national park support groups.
• Become a recognized leader to public and private enterprise at addressing challenges facing the National Park Service.
• Pursue the creation of a platform that leverages old media, new media and social media as a means to engage and maintain old and new audiences.
• Create and execute a multi-year fundraising plan that ensures year over year revenue growth and the diversification of funding sources.
• Manage a portfolio of best in class grants, programs and activities that supports the National Park Service and encourages a new generation of lifelong park enthusiasts.

About the Position: Executive Vice President

Supported by a committed Board of Directors and professional staff, the Executive Vice President will report to the President and provide organizational leadership at an important period in NPF’s history. The Executive Vice President must fully appreciate the unique qualities that make the NPF a leader in park philanthropy. The Executive Vice President will provide critical day to day oversight of the management of the organization’s financial, administrative, development, marketing, and human resources operations, with all departments reporting to the Executive Vice President (except development, which will report to the President. In the role of Executive Vice President, this person will serve as a trusted partner to the President, helping to build a robust national fundraising organization.

The Executive Vice President must have the skill sets to incorporate all aspects of the NPF’s organization into a highly effective team and must be an energetic and entrepreneurial leader possessing strong financial, business development and management capabilities. The Executive Vice President position is based in Washington, D.C.

The broad goals and objectives for the Executive Vice President are as follows:

Support the development of a vibrant future by continuing to cultivate, expand and make best use of the NPF’s Board leaders, professional staff, and partners.

Oversee the organizations critical business operations.

Support the expansion, reach and public recognition of the NPF as a national philanthropic leader by deployment of innovative marketing and event activities which engage partners and important constituencies.

Work in conjunction with the President to manage staff efforts to expand and diversify the financial base of the organization by supporting efforts to engage philanthropic funding sources, development of new marketing approaches and activities to capture a new generation of funders and partners.

Develop and manage a team of professional staff who possess the capacity to fulfill the organization’s mission.

Professional Qualifications and Personal Attributes:

The Executive Vice President should ideally possess the following professional qualifications and personal attributes:

A natural commitment to and a desire to become an advocate of the NPF’s mission.

• Leadership and business acumen; a proven record of managing an organization; and competence with personnel management, team building, constituency building, and fundraising.
• Strong competence in working with and managing budgets, financial forecasting, performance measurement metrics.
• Expertise in recruiting, directing, motivating and developing staff - building a nimble, collegial, and collaborative team.
• A management style that is goal oriented and flexible; that respects the unique individual capabilities of each staff member while providing them with a clear sense of direction.
• An ability to motivate and mentor staff to meet goals and objectives.
• Strong work ethic, verbal and written communication skills.
• Trustworthy and possessing the highest level of personal and professional integrity and quality standards.
• Experience or a natural affinity for and interest in fundraising operations.
• Undergraduate degree required and an advanced degree appreciated.

Compensation:

Compensation for the Executive Vice President includes a competitive base salary, and an excellent package of health and other employee benefits.

Compensation for the Executive Vice President includes a competitive base salary, and an excellent package of health and other employee benefits. Interested candidates should send their resume to: resumes@explorecompany.com. Please refer to National Park Foundation in the subject line.

Daniel Sherman

President

Explore Company

Fax 301.933.8990

DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

The National Park Foundation (NPF), the Congressionally chartered charitable partner of America’s National Parks, is seeking a development coordinator to support all aspects of a dynamic development program.

This outstanding individual will be a highly motivated team-player and organized self-starter, with the ability to follow through on various projects simultaneously. The ideal candidate will have superior written skills with strong attention to detail, and excellent verbal skills to answer and respond professionally to requests from donors. In addition to gift processing and list management, responsibilities include supporting the Senior Vice President of Development with all ongoing projects, maintaining the travel and overall schedules for the department, answering the departments phone, mass mailings, material preparation and assembly, and basic background research. The successful candidate must have a bachelor’s degree and be proficient in MS Office. Donor database (RaiserÕs Edge) experience is highly desirable.

Internships

Join our energetic, passionate team at the National Park Foundation. As the official charitable partner of America’s National Parks, we help preserve our country’s most treasured places and strengthen the connection between the American people and their national parks. Communicating about the parks, and fundraising to support them, is at the very center of our mission.

At the National Park Foundation, your work has a lasting impact. You will make a direct and immediate impact on conservation, culture, preservation, recreation, education, stewardship, and volunteerism – preserving our national parks for centuries to come.

Marketing and Communications:

• The Marketing and Communications Intern will support the Marketing and Communications in all areas of activity including public relations, marketing, graphic design, Web site content, social media outreach, cause marketing partnerships and events.
• This individual should have strong communication skills including writing, editing and interpersonal.
• This individual should have experience and/or interest in online communications including Web site user experience, social media, blogger outreach, etc.

Development:

The National Park Foundation is seeking a highly motivated college or advance degree students interested in fundraising, non-profits, and our national parks. We will look for good communication and organizational skills and ability to multi-task. Experience with donor management software such as Raisers Edge is a plus. The Development Intern will facilitate various fundraising tasks and provide support to the work of the Development Team. The internship will include projects in several critical fundraising areas including:

• Donor and prospect research
  • Research will include general online searches and specific wealth screening searches. The development intern will be trained to use NPF's primary wealth screening service, Wealth Engine. The intern will also be taught how to synthesize information into a standard research report to be used by senior management.
• Donor database maintenance
  • The development intern will be trained to use NPF's constituent management system, Raiser's Edge. Data management is a key function within development, and the quality of the data is critical to the success of any development activities. The development intern will work on a variety of functions including but not limited to constituent updates, e-mail updates, list development and management.
• Development of fundraising materials and sponsorship presentations
  • There will be several projects where the development intern is asked to support the development of fundraising materials and presentations. That may include drafting letters, putting together sponsorship decks, and preparing background information.
• Assistance with National Park Foundation events
  • The National Park Foundation hosts several events throughout the year. The development intern will have the opportunity to participate in planning sessions, the creation of invitation lists, the preparation of sales materials, and several other activities that will take place in the coming months.
• Support for the Flight 93 National Memorial Campaign

To apply, send a Word version of your resume and cover letter to resumes@nationalparks.org with "Development Internship" in the Subject line of the email. This is an unpaid position; however, the selected candidate will be eligible to receive course credit.

About Us

The National Park Foundation was established in 1967 by congressional charter with support from Lady Bird Johnson and an initial $1 million contribution from Laurance Rockefeller. NPF seeks to sustain the legacy of philanthropy and strengthen the connection between the American people and their National Parks by raising private funds, making strategic grants, creating innovative partnerships and increasing public awareness.

The National Park Foundation’s work is as diverse as it is compelling. We are the lead fundraising partner of the Flight 93 National Memorial Campaign, a national capital campaign to build a memorial honoring the passengers and crewmembers of United Airlines Flight 93 and their heroic and selfless acts on September 11, 2001. Through the African American Experience Fund, the National Park Foundation connects Americans from all walks of life to the considerable contributions of African Americans throughout our country’s history.

The National Park Foundations collaborates with corporate partners to create the First Bloom youth program which helps children from Boys and Girls Clubs learn how to protect fragile ecosystems in their national parks by planting native plants and by designing, planting, and maintaining gardens in their neighborhoods. We are also excited to be able to fund youth engagement programs that allow kids to explore their national parks with their families and become Junior Rangers. Alternatively, at home kids can go online and become WebRangers, and from their classrooms they can electronically explore the mysteries of the national parks through the Electronic Field Trip Program.

Working at the National Park Foundation, you will be at the intersection of powerful trends in our society: more Americans are discovering and supporting their parks than ever before; corporate stewards are embracing and advancing causes that are “green” and that are linked to our American heritage; and across the nation there is a renewed focus on public service, education, health and fitness, and environmental awareness. We are passionate about our mission, mandated in the charter creating our organization, that is to support the efforts of national parks and preserving them for the enjoyment current and future generations.

To be eligible for consideration as an intern for National Park Foundation, you must be eligible for credit at an accredited college or university.

To Apply for an Internship Position
Send a Word version of your resume and cover letter to resumes@nationalparks.org with the position title, Internship Application, in the Subject line of the email.
Or mail a copy of your resume to
Human Resource Department
National Park Foundation
Suite 550 B
1201 Eye Street NW
Washington DC 20005