EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The New York State Dispute Resolution Association, Inc.
Due to the retirement of the incumbent, The New York State Dispute Resolution Association, Inc. is seeking a dynamic and innovative professional to serve as its new Executive Director.
The New York State Dispute Resolution Association is a state wide not for profit professional membership organization whose mission is to promote the use of quality conflict management and peaceful dispute resolution. The Association offices are located in Troy, NY. Its members are the NYS system of Community Dispute Resolution Centers, practitioners, business professionals and supporters of the dispute resolution field. In addition to legislative advocacy, certification, public outreach, information and training, NYSDRA administers mediation and arbitration services for several state and federal agencies through its network of Community Dispute Resolution Centers and private practitioners.
The Executive Director, under direction of the Board of Directors is responsible for the leadership of the organization. The Director will oversee a staff of 8 full time and 1 part time individuals and an operating budget of approximately $1 million dollars. He/she performs professional and administrative duties in planning, developing, implementing and directing Association activities, board functions, committee functions, contracts and services. These duties include fiscal and personnel management, contract supervision and identification of business opportunities, facility maintenance as well as maintaining effective communications with state and federal agencies, collaborating partners and the public.
Funding for the Association comes from contract administration, foundation support, training activities, membership dues and miscellaneous sales items.
The position is an exempt full time salaried position with benefits. Salary range is $70,000 to $85,000.
Educational Requirements included:
- Master’s degree from a recognized college or university plus five (5) years of experience in a human service agency, including at least three (3) years of supervisory and/or administrative experience.
- Bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university plus five (5)years of experience in a human service agency, includingat least five (5)years of supervisory and/or administrative experience.
- Any equivalent combination of experiences and education sufficient to indicate ability to perform the job.
Requirements include:
- Knowledge of and training in dispute resolution.
- Experience with management systems.
- Ability to develop and implement new programs.
- Ability to supervise both a professional staff and work with a volunteer board.
- Knowledge of accounting and bookkeeping principles.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Experience in proposal writing and fund development.
- Knowledge of government and legislative processes.
- Capacity to use technology effectively to advance the work of the Association.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
- Demonstration of initiative, tact, integrity and a commitment to promotion of ADR field.
Specific Responsibilities:
- Establishes the organizational structure for the Association’s office and the related staffing structure.
- Establishes administrative policies and procedures for office functions.
- Develops, initiates and carries out fundraising initiatives.
- Recruits, hires, and trains staff and administers an effective personnel program, which includes position descriptions, performance standards, performance appraisals; and a compensation system.
- Develops and supervises an effective program of membership development and membership services.
- Develops and maintains a publication program which is responsive to the needs of the membership.
- Works with the Board of Directors and appropriate committees in defining, identifying and guiding program development areas and funding resources.
- Plans and coordinates meetings of the board of directors and reports on programmatic activities of the association.
- Monitors, provides adequate staffing structure for, and assists committees of the board.
- Maintains effective internal and external public relations. This includes training and educating various interest groups.
- Serves as spokesperson for the Association in conjunction with the board president.
- Maintains an effective government affairs program to represent the interests of the Association membership to government agencies as appropriate. This includes tracking state and federal legislation that impacts the dispute resolution community.
- Develops and maintains a professional working relationship with appropriate local, state and federal government departments, as well as other agencies and organizations connected to the field of dispute resolution.
- Represents the Association in meetings with funders and contractors and assists with negotiation of contracts and administrative services to be provided by NYSDRA and its members.
- Manages the finances of the Association, including the preparation of an annual budget and long-range forecasts of needs. Meets regularly with board treasurer to insure that Association’s fiscal affairs are in order.
- Ensures an annual audit of Association’s finances is conducted for board review and approval.
- Maintains an adequate record keeping system for Association contracts, in order to ensure that vouchering statistics are being maintained and reported as required.
- Ensures the legal integrity of the Association.
- Undertakes other tasks, duties and activities that may be identified by the Board of Directors, in furtherance of the Association’s mission and goals.
Required Knowledge and Skills:
This position requires an individual with a thorough knowledge of the field of dispute resolution; knowledge of management systems and supervisory skills; ability to develop and implement new programs; ability to supervise both a professional and volunteer staff; knowledge of accounting and bookkeeping principles; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; experience in proposal writing and fund raising; knowledge about government and legislative processes; demonstration of initiative, tact, integrity and a commitment to the promotion of the dispute resolution field.
Supervised By: Board of Directors
or by mail to:
Ronald J. Vero, President
New York State Dispute Resolution Association
255 River Street, 4th Floor
Troy, NY 12180
Application deadline date: Friday, February 6, 2009