Executive Director

Yampa Valley Partnership for Students, Stewardship, & Sustainability Executive Director

Location: Yampa Valley, Colorado

Preferred Application Deadline: Sunday, October 20th, 2024 - first pull of applicants on October 21st.

About YVPS3

The Yampa Valley Partnership for Students, Stewardship, and Sustainability (YVPS3) is a nonprofit serving education and community partners across four school districts in Northwest Colorado. YVPS3 was formed in Fall 2021 and received its 501(c)(3) status in 2023. It was created with the vision to formalize a community for sharing education and career resources for all students throughout the Yampa Valley.

YVPS3’s mission is to unite educators, industry leaders, and students throughout the Yampa Valley with the common goal to create shared educational and career pathways that empower students and contribute to a more resilient region. A key aspect of YVPS3 is its unique role in connecting K-12 and higher education institutions with community partners, fostering collaboration that enables safety, belonging, and purpose in learning.

Program & Position Summary

This is a full-time, grant-funded Executive Director position for the Yampa Valley Partnership for Students, Stewardship, and Sustainability (YVPS3). At this time the position is fully grant funded through December 2026; a primary goal of the Executive Director will be to fundraise for the sustainability of their role. This position includes the coordination and pathway implementation management across four districts in Northwest Colorado (Hayden School District, Moffat County School District RE-1, South Routt County School District RE-3, and Steamboat Springs School District RE-2); two institutes of higher education (Colorado Mountain College and Colorado Northwest Community College); and multiple regional industry/community partners.

In addition to local community engagement, YVPS3 is also a part of the Colorado Rural Talent Network (CRTN), collaborating frequently with other rural education collaboratives in Colorado including, the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative, Western Slope Schools Career Collaborative, and the Fremont Multidistrict Initiative. The ED also works closely with contracted support partners.

To support this program, the YVPS3 partnership is seeking a candidate who is both prepared and excited to serve as the Executive Director. Ideally, we are seeking candidates who possess a background in education, work-based learning, Career and Technical Education, community engagement and/or academic advising. The Executive Director will serve and report to the non-profit Board of Directors.

Candidates considered for this role must be located or have the ability to relocate to the Yampa Valley in Northwest Colorado.

Essential Functions

This is a full-time position that will work year-round, and will lead execution of the overall vision and strategy of the YVPS3 Partnership for shared regional pathways. YVPS3 plays a vital role in regional community development and maintenance amongst education partners and community stakeholders in the form of board and steering committee convenings, and professional learning communities for regional education staff. This role will report directly to the board of directors composed of representatives from four school districts, two institutes of higher education, and regional community members. Shared programming and resources will include academic advising, work based-learning options, hybrid learning options, career events and convenings, industry partner relationship building, marketing and communications materials, and course materials.

Key functions include developing, implementing, monitoring, and continually improving the shared pathways to ensure there is alignment across the region. This role will also lead to student recruitment, serve as a liaison to each district, and help to coordinate career connected and work-based learning opportunities. Responsibilities that align with the Executive Director include:

• Lead execution of the overall vision and strategy of the YVPS3 Partnership for shared regional pathways.
• Actively lead fundraising efforts, partnerships, and external programming, while pursuing opportunities for organizational sustainability.
• Active management of the operational needs of YVPS3 Partnership finances and budget, including reporting activities to the state, managing grant dollars, and supporting the ongoing sustainability of the partnership.
• Report to the YVPS3 Board of Directors, consisting of school district superintendents (or their delegates), local IHE campus leaders, and community partners. Including but not limited to the preparation, management, and facilitation of quarterly board meetings, monthly board check-ins, and annual board retreat.
• Coordinate and manage the YVPS3 Steering Committee, consisting of K12 middle school and high school building leaders, IHE deans, and community partners. Including but not limited to the preparation and facilitation of monthly steering committee meetings and monthly district alignment meetings.
• Prepare weekly board update documents, informing stakeholders of YVPS3 activities and upcoming events.
• Provide weekly support to YVPS3 coordinators in K12 districts, serving as the main contact for pathway programs with students, educators, higher education, and external partners.
• Facilitate, support, and communicate partnerships around career connected pathways throughout the region.
• Build, with support, academic advising materials for school districts to utilize during advising and communication of pathways.
• Coordinate opportunities for educator/counselor development, student course expansion and access, and community engagement.
• Build systems and partnerships to support data collection, tracking, and impact measurement of all S3 related programs.
• Research existing models of collaboration and coordinate knowledge sharing between regions within Colorado.
• Support the development and execution of a region-wide network of work-based learning and internship opportunities.
• Identify and implement evaluation tools, gather and interpret data, and create reports based on information generated from participants and supervisors.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills & Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree, or at least five years equivalent tested experience.
• Desire to develop, manage and implement shared systems and processes throughout the Yampa Valley region.
• Experience as a project and/or program manager, navigating risk, self-starting, multi-tasking, and effectively coordinating and implementing concepts into action.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to develop strong relationships.
• Attention to the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in education.
• Ability to utilize personal transportation for travel and work in-person throughout the Yampa Valley with a variety of partners.

Preferred Qualifications

Highly qualified candidates will demonstrate experience in the following:

• Extensive network with strong connections and relationships with education and community partners across the Yampa Valley.
• Extensive successful experience in fundraising and grant management of grants over $500,000.
• Experience in entrepreneurship and/or start-up organizations.

Compensation:

• Starting salary for this role is $70,000 - $80,000 annually depending on candidate experience, with a competitive allowance or stipend included.

Application Process

Please submit a complete application packet, including:

• Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for position. Include details regarding how your personal and professional experiences allow you to encourage a learning environment grounded in equity and inclusion.
• Current curriculum vitae or resume.
• Names and contact information for two current, professional references

To Apply:

Please submit all materials via email to emilee@lyracolorado.org, with “YVPS3 Executive Director” in the subject line.

Priority will be given to applications submitted by midnight MST on Sunday, October 20th, 2024.

Position will remain open until filled.

Equal Opportunity

The Yampa Valley Partnership for Students, Stewardship, & Sustainability (YVPS3) does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political beliefs, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information. YVPS3 is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment.

YVPS3 shall promote equal opportunity, equal treatment, and affirmative action efforts to increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff. YVPS3 is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment; applications from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.