Administrator, Environmental Finance Center

ADMINISTRATOR, ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCE CENTER (EFC)

Grade: 5
Salary Range: $103,524 – 121,793

About Delta

Delta Institute is a Midwest-focused, environmental nonprofit whose mission is to collaborate with communities to solve complex environmental challenges. Our work is organized into distinct initiatives that move our mission forward, clearly define our work, and articulate impact. The programs functional hive strives to successfully address the challenges and creatively assist in sustainable solutions. The program hive staff focuses on the implementation of projects in Delta’s three initiative areas: Resilient Agriculture, Nature-Based Climate Solutions, and Sustainability & Support Services.

To achieve our vision of a thriving region, we partner with communities, governmental organizations and agencies, businesses, nonprofits, and universities throughout the Great Lakes and Midwest. We are multi-disciplinary systems thinkers. We understand that the issues around food, water, air, energy, and waste are all connected. Further, we have multiple leadership-level projects that will be incepted in the year ahead. Now is an exciting time to join us, so that together we positively advance key outcomes in the Midwest.

Functional Hive – Programs

All Midwest communities and landscapes thrive through an integrated approach to environmental, economic, and social challenges. Our work is organized into distinct initiatives that move our mission forward, clearly define our work, and articulate impact. The programs functional hive strives to successfully address the challenges and creatively assist in sustainable solutions. The program hive staff focuses on the implementation of projects in Delta’s three initiative areas: Resilient Agriculture, Nature-Based Climate Solutions, and Sustainability & Support Services.

The Program You’ll Work Within: Sustainability & Support Services

Impact Statement: Our Sustainability and Support Services are designed to respond to invitations in community-led planning efforts and provide direct technical assistance to public and private sector partners, which include a wide array of sectors in which Delta has sizable experience. We forecast that by 2025 Delta will work with more than 250 partner communities while securing $40M in external investment and creating 100 practical tools, resources, strategies, and public plans.

Our Approach: Delta Institute prides itself on being responsive to the needs of its partners and responding to what they define as being the most important goal, activity, project, or taking a new approach to improving their local environmental and economic outcomes. We have decades of experience moving sustainable priorities forward in creative and innovative ways.

Delta supports our partners and their self-defined sustainability goals through our Sustainability and Support Services, designed to align the needs of our partners with the skills and expertise of our staff to contribute where most helpful. Beyond Sustainability & Support Services, this role will also provide technical assistance and implementation support to our Resilient Agriculture and Nature-Based Climate Solutions. For more information on our program initiatives, please visit our website: delta-institute.org/what-we-do/

At Delta we consider the follow seven characteristics core competencies. They define who we are as individuals and also our work as an organization:

• Adaptive
• Cooperative
• Equitable
• Passionate
• Pragmatic
• Transparent
• Tenacious

Core Skillset

An Administrator manages and provides leadership to a staff team delivering projects in one program area, provides multiple administrative or organizational development functions, manages the day-to-day implementation, provides strategic insight and technical expertise, and coordinates with external partners and networks for the Delta Institute. Administrators play key leadership roles representing the organization, developing new programs,and obtaining funding and other resources for the work within their assigned responsibilities. Other core skillset attributes are:

• Lead and strategize programs team and projects,
• Lead, direct and advise team with programmatic implementation,
• Articulate a vision for meeting Delta’s mission in strategic priority areas,
• Provide technical expertise and thought leadership in program area,
• Work in a timely and collaboratively manner on multiple deliverables,
• Developing new strategies that advance Delta and its mission,
• Manage multiple aspects of Delta’s work portfolio,
• Have strong analytical and problem-solving skills as well as written and verbal skills, and,
• Have advanced knowledge of environmental and economic issues not only in the Great Lakes region but globally.

Administrator, Environmental Finance Center (EFC)

Position Specifics

The EFC Administrator will direct the overall implementation and coordination for Delta’s U.S. EPA Region 5 Regional Water Infrastructure Environmental Finance Center. The position will provide strategic, technical, programmatic and analytical leadership.. The Administrator will also provide leadership and mentorship to their team and is accountable for all activities and processes for the EFC. The Administrator provides oversight and management to Delta’s staff and partners assisting with the implementation of direct technical assistance to communities across Region 5 in planning for, applying for, and implementing Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Loan Funds (SRFs). The Administrator will also coordinate closely with U.S. EPA Region 5 and HQ staff, State SRF staff, other regional and national EFCs, municipalities, and other stakeholders. The Administrator will coordinate with  functional hive staff to ensure the delivery of high-quality, on-time, and on-budget work scopes. The Administrator stewards the implementation of the Delta’s strategic plan, and works closely with the CEO and Initiatives Leads to create, implement, and iterate effective strategies to meet the goals of the organization. The Administrator collaborates with other Directors and Chiefs on a consistent basis to identify organizational issues for continuous improvement and impact. In this role, they collaborate with the CEO, other Directors and project teams to implement tasks as assigned. The Administrator will also identify opportunities to raise funds for expanding the impact of Delta’s EFC partnership as well as serving as an external representative of the organization. The Administrator is accountable for the management and implementation of their budget for the entire portfolio of EFC activities.

The EFC Administrator should be at home tackling difficult environmental and social problems with often unclear paths to success or take iterative approaches with a long-term goal of seeking solutions to larger social and environmental issues. They will also need to be comfortable working by yourself, with multiple types of personalities, on tight deadlines, in ambiguous and circuitous circumstances, and have an overall positive outlook on the change that can happen in the world. The Administrator should operate with a perspective of continuous improvement andwill be expected to provide and accept feedback, welcome and adapt to change, challenge the status quo and be committed to the success of others.

As part of a truly multidisciplinary organization, the EFC Administrator will also interface and support other projects that require unique skills and knowledge; and, have a knack translating complex ideas to a variety of audiences both internally and externally.

More information on Delta’s Environmental Finance Center can be found here: delta-institute.org/epa-region-5-water-infrastructure/

What you’ll be doing:

Program Development and Implementation

• Develop and lead the implementation of Delta’s EFC program.
• Develop the business and operations plans to support the successful implementation of the EFC including tracking impact metrics.
• Lead, direct and advise Delta’s staff and partner team on programmatic deliverables, budget and development.
• Identify development opportunities to advance innovative new programs and services to achieve Delta’s mission through EFC activities.
• Conceptualize and develop proposals and engage team members in proposal development to grow the impact of the EFC.
• Manage and implement multiple technical assistance projects as necessary to ensure high quality deliverables and on time and on budget completion.
• Work closely with CEO and programmatic leadership to develop work plans with tasks, timeframes, milestones, resources, and dependencies.
• Facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing across the programs team and entire organization.
• Keep informed of key policies and environmental, economic and social conditions that affect the organization. Understand near-term and long-range plans and determine how to best be positioned to achieve the mission.

Financial Management

• Understand Delta’s strategic areas and identify revenue sources to drive the vision.
• Plan, develop and accomplish budgets for EFC work.
• Oversee efficient allocation of resources in conjunction with other team members and partners.
• Communicate financial status and obligations of projects to CEO and management team.

 Staff Management

• Inspire, motivate and guide others toward goal accomplishments. Encourage and facilitate cooperation within the organization and with stakeholder groups.
• Support an inclusive environment where diversity and innovation are valued and embrace a culture of continuous learning.
• Mentor staff and model productive working relationships.

Relationship Management

• Grow and maintain key professional affiliations in support of organizational and professional development goals.
• Leverage talents and networks of board members and key stakeholders to build organizational support and growth.
• Ensure high-quality reporting (inclusive of all metrics), real-time communications and updates, and meet/exceed all funding requirements related to the EFC.
• Communicate and manage relationships with clients and stakeholders.

What you’ll have:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in directly related to water infrastructure, public administration, sustainability, engineering, or equivalent field with Master’s degree desirable or equivalent experience.
• At least 10 years of management experience.
• Deep knowledge and experience working with municipalities, infrastructure projects, and water utilities.
• Expert knowledge in State Revolving Fund programs with a preference towards experience of applying for, administering, and/or implementing DWSRF /or CWSRF funds.
• Strong record of accomplishment as an effective manager and a skillful, innovative leader capable of delivering results.
• Strong demonstrated fundraising experience and/or earned income generation with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders including government, foundations, corporate sponsors, and practitioner groups.
• Ability to create and nurture a culture of continuous learning, personal accountability, creative problem solving, and collaboration.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Ability to motivate and inspire high performing staff teams, boards and committees, and partners.
• Knowledge of and a base of relationships with key stakeholders in the Great Lakes and Midwest.
• Integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed with demonstrated passion for Delta’s mission and commitment to working collaboratively with a leadership team.
• Be able to work in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple tasks and deadlines, and manage work in sometimes ambiguous situations.

Core competencies (please see sidebar) are the values and defined behaviors that we believe are central to the ability of every employee to do the work of the Delta Institute.  These core competencies are a combination of knowledge, skills and behaviors that are the mark of a good Delta employee.   Core competencies are a distinguishing characteristic of Delta employees for our clients, customers and stakeholders.  They are a visible demonstration of our shared values and are evident in how we work together.  Individuals can be at different levels of ability on a specific core competency which is why we measure ability each year and provide feedback and development suggestions.

The physical demands and work environment of the job include:

• Sitting: much of the work requires being at a desk, working on computer.
• Hand and finger dexterity: typing, writing.
• Talking and listening: presentations, information-gathering and general communication.
• Noise: moderate in office environment.
• Climbing, balancing, bending, stooping, kneeling and crawling as part of routine field work.
• Being able to lift and/or move 10 lbs.

Delta offers its employees a competitive salary with a robust benefits package that includes generous paid time off, 401k, and medical, dental & vision insurance. Partial remote work available; routine travel will be required as part of the role. Delta is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Application

Please email application packet (one PDF) that includes the following:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• 2 examples of prior communications work, such as graphics, designed materials, newsletters, and/or other types of writing samples

All as one PDF to: careers@delta-institute.org
Subject line: EFC Administrator

No phone calls, please