[MassHistPres] Job Posting for TTOR

[Rebecca Williams]

Trustees of Reservations
Operations Manager - Western Region

Position Description

The Trustees’ Western Region is defined by the New York, Vermont, and Connecticut borders on its west, north, and south, and on the east, a border roughly following I-495. Within this region, we own and manage over 10,000 acres across 40 properties and monitor dozens of conservation restrictions. These properties include historic houses with formal gardens, farms, waterfalls, and numerous extensive woodlands. The properties also include multiple staff residences and rental properties, three National Historic Landmarks, a National Natural Landmark, and multiple and varied small enterprises.

The Trustees believe that people are connected to place, and it is our mission to foster stronger connections between communities of people and their natural and cultural heritage. It is our belief that climate change is the greatest threat to the sustainability of the Commonwealth’s priority landscapes and that our success demands that we catalyze widespread action to offset this hazard. To succeed, we must become a broadly inclusive organization that engages and unifies the diverse communities of Massachusetts.

Essential Functions

 *   The Operations Manager (OM) provides strategic leadership within the Western Region as part of the region’s management team and is a member of a statewide team of Operations Managers. Within the region, the Operations Manager works particularly closely with the region’s Engagement Manager, the Senior Advancement Officer, and the Regional Director to oversee the implementation of regional priorities.
 *   The OM ensures that our properties, structures, and resources demonstrate sustainable practices/principles and are cared for in accordance with our mission and standards.
 *   The OM ensures that our staff and other resources are allocated within the Western Region in a manner that supports our strategic objectives.
 *   The OM provides leadership and guidance to the region’s four superintendents, management unit staff, volunteers, as well as part-time and seasonal staff.
 *   The OM assists the RD in developing and overseeing the region’s operating budget.

Specific Responsibilities

 *   Serve on the regional management team and contribute to strategic priority setting and the ongoing review of strategic opportunities, their implementation, and evaluation.
 *   Supervise, motivate, and professionally develop the four superintendents who report directly to the OM. Develop, monitor, and amend, as necessary, work plans for the Superintendents and their management units, ensuring the region’s strategic priorities are being supported by these plans. Also, support the Superintendents’ management of their supervises (paid and volunteer) and work with Superintendents to build regional stewardship capacity through a robust and creative volunteer program as well as productive partnerships.
 *   Ensure that the region’s property staff share the vision, ownership, and commitment to implement The Trustees’ strategic goals, including our priorities regarding sustainability, volunteerism, inclusion & diversity, and engagement.
 *   With guidance from the Regional Director (RD), work with the Superintendents to develop an annual operating budget for the property management needs of the region.  Also, participate in capital equipment and project budgeting.
 *   Review the monthly financial statements and alert the RD of any significant anomalies or discrepancies.
 *   Working with the Director of Structural Resources, as appropriate, to oversee significant capital projects in the region.
 *   Provide leadership and guidance to the region’s property staff in the area of enterprise development and management.
 *   Work closely with the other members of the region’s management team—the Cultural Resources Manager, the Engagement Manager, the Ecologist, the Community Conservation Specialist, and the Senior Advancement Officer—to ensure that their needs are being adequately supported by our property and resource care and that the property staff’s work is likewise supported.
 *   Work with the organization’s resource specialists and other OMs to develop property management policies and strategies. Ensure that consistent policy and protocol adoption and implementation is carried out across the region.
 *   Serve as the regional safety officer, which involves establishing a comprehensive approach to visitor safety and ensuring that regional staff and volunteers receive appropriate safety training on a regular basis.
 *   Develop and sustain productive relationships with our supporters, neighbors, visitors, partners, and allies.
 *   Assist and guide the superintendents in resolving visitor and property-based conflicts and other issues.
 *   Work with Superintendents to support the organization’s conservation restriction monitoring needs as well as other tasks focused on maintaining  the organization’s LTA accreditation status such as the completion of  annual property surveys.
 *   Perform, direct or report on projects and assignments as requested.

Abilities, Skills, Qualifications

 *   A Bachelor’s Degree in Conservation Area/Park Administration and Management, Environmental Design or related natural resource discipline, along with 7-plus years of progressively responsible management of staff, properties, and programs in the natural and cultural resources fields. Familiarity with the visitor service, recreation or tourism industries a plus, as is experience in managing small enterprises.
 *   Proven commitment to staff and volunteer development and a successful track record of recruiting, supervising, motivating and working with a diverse team.
 *   Outstanding communication skills and ability to be a strong spokesperson and relationship builder within the region and beyond.
 *   Excellent ‘people’ skills and an ability to work with committees, colleagues and others.
 *   Must have proven organizational skills as well as very strong computer skills.
 *   Comfort with or close knowledge of the value and approaches to fundraising, outreach, cultural resources, and environmental education and interpretation.
 *   Must have technical expertise in property management as well as working knowledge of power equipment and vehicles.
 *   Must be able to handle the physical demands of the job.
 *   Must have a valid Massachusetts’ driver’s license and a clean driving record.

Benefits, Work Schedule and Salary

As a full-time employee, the Operations Manager is eligible for benefits provided by The Trustees. The position is a full-time, year round, exempt position. It requires frequent travel across the Western Region and periodically, the state. Minimal administrative support is available so the workload will include a range of administrative tasks. Frequent work on weekends, evenings and some holidays is required. Starting salary is dependent upon qualifications and experience.

The Operations Manager reports to the Western Regional Director and is based out of The Trustees regional office in Holyoke.

TTOR’s Underlying Values

The Trustees of Reservations aims to create a thriving, inclusive workplace that a) values each member of our team and b) reflects and effectively serves the diverse residents and communities of Massachusetts. We believe that people and communities are strongly connected to place; that it is our mission to foster stronger connections between communities and their natural and cultural heritage; that climate change is a serious threat to our mission and the sustainability of the landscape, and that we must work to catalyze widespread action to offset this threat. To succeed, The Trustees must be a broadly inclusive organization that engages and serves the many different communities of Massachusetts.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to fairness and equity throughout our internal operations.  Inclusion and diversity are priorities in our Strategic Plan and we are currently finalizing a detailed blueprint to strengthen and continue to diversify our team and expand the constituency for all facets of our work.

To Apply

For further information or to apply, contact or send resume to:

Cynthia Sommer
The Trustees of Reservations
193 High Street
Holyoke, MA 01040
Email: csommer at ttor.org<mailto:csommer at ttor.org>


Rebecca Williams| Program Officer, Northeast Office
National Trust for Historic Preservation | Seven Faneuil Hall Marketplace, 4th Floor, Boston, MA  02109
Phone: 617.523.0885| Fax: 617.5231199| Email: Rebecca_Williams at nthp.org<blocked::blocked::mailto:Rebecca_Williams at nthp.org> | www.PreservationNation.org<blocked::http://www.preservationnation.org/>


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