Director of Education & Community Engagement

About the Role

This position is within the District’s Education and Community Engagement Department. The Director of Education and Community Engagement serves as a senior-level administrator responsible for managing, directing, and evaluating the District’s education programs, including formal, curriculum-based education and informal, non-curriculum-based learning experiences, and community engagement.

Supervision

• Provides full supervision of assigned education staff, including hiring, onboarding, training, and professional development
• Builds a high-performing, inclusive, and collaborative team culture
• Establishes clear performance expectations and conducts regular evaluations
• Assigns, prioritizes, and monitors work to ensure timely, high-quality program delivery
• Promotes equitable, inclusive, and culturally responsive education practices
• Ensures compliance with workplace safety requirements and applicable regulations

Education Program Leadership & Management

• Leads the planning, development, and evaluation of the District’s 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
• 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
• Ensures effective delivery of programs across onsite, field-based, and virtual platforms
• Identifies opportunities for innovation, expansion, and improvement in program design and delivery
• Develops and implements systems to evaluate program effectiveness and outcomes

Finance & Funding Development

• Develops and manages education program budgets, including grant-funded initiatives with guidance and oversight from District Manager and Director of Operations and Finance
• Identifies, tracks, and evaluates grant and funding opportunities aligned with education program goals
• Develops and implements strategies to expand and sustain education funding streams
• Leads or significantly contributes to the development, writing, and submission of competitive grant proposals
• 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

Executive Leadership & Partnerships

• 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
• Builds and maintains partnerships with schools, educators, community organizations, and agencies
• Represents the District in meetings, committees, and public forums as 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

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. Exam required.