Job Listings

Organization   The Hitchcock Center for the Environment (Hitchcock Center) is a nationally recognized environmental education center known for its talented educators, progressive leadership, and innovative programming. The Hitchcock Center’s programs have an intentional focus on inclusion and accessibility. Participants are offered scholarships, reduced cost, and free programs, while educators work with school systems from across the region. They have inspired young learners and adults in indoor and outdoor classrooms for almost six decades, and in recent years, the Hitchcock Center has assumed a powerful new role in the face of climate change. At a time when our species faces the biggest environmental challenge we have ever seen, the Hitchcock Center recognizes that “effective learning must be transformative, directly inspiring engagement and action.”     Many of the Hitchcock Center’s highly valued staff members have been employed by the organization for a decade or more. They have devoted their careers to working with a diverse range of learners of all ages. As educators, they have continued to develop their own professional expertise, broadening their capacity to design new curriculum materials and complementary activities.    Through the vitality of its connections with schools, its professional development for educators, and its focus on engaging families throughout the region, the Hitchcock Center has become a respected leader in its field. Since 2017, the average number of program participants has exceeded 10,000 annually, excluding FY2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic impacted program participation. In the years ahead, the Hitchcock Center’s potential for initiating new programs, and making them accessible to a broader regional, statewide, and national population, is exciting to both the board and the staff.   The Hitchcock Center is located in Amherst, a culturally and educationally rich western Massachusetts area, home to the Five Colleges and in close proximity to numerous museums; near music, theater, and dance venues; and near a range of sports, camping, and outdoor recreation sites. The Hitchcock Center employs thirteen staff, in addition to seasonal camp staff, and has an operating budget of $850,000.   Strategically positioned to fulfill its mission “to educate and to inspire action for a healthy planet,” the Hitchcock Center opened the doors to its new home, a 9,000-square foot “living” environmental education center in the Fall of 2016. An award-winning structure, and the 23rd certified Living Building in the world, it was built in response to the Living Building Challenge. Its construction followed a highly successful capital campaign that has raised almost $7 million, and adheres to “holistic standards incorporating the most progressive thinking from architecture, engineering, planning, interiors, landscape design, and policy.”   The Living Building, with its focus on sustainability, responsibly sourced, nontoxic materials, and net-zero energy, is a unique teaching tool that promises to expand the reach of the Hitchcock Center, regionally, nationally, and internationally.   Programs   The Hitchcock Center’s programs throughout western Massachusetts and beyond, include:   PreK-12 School Programs Developing critical thinkers equipped to meet the complex environmental challenges of the 21st Century.   Children, Youth and Family Supporting children’s intellectual, social, emotional, and physical learning through hands-on science and outdoor education.   Adult Education Building a base of environmentally curious, intelligent, and engaged individuals working to make our planet a better place to live.   Professional Development Serving as a premier training site for educators in the best practices of environmental education and teaching excellence.   Since opening their doors to the Living Building, the Hitchcock Center has experienced a 50% increase in the number of participants and visitors to the Center, and in the geographic regions served. Program participants and visitors include those from communities throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as more than 20 states across the nation and 30 countries around the world. The potential for expanded programs and new collaborative partnerships marks a momentous turning point in the organization’s development.       

Neurofibromatosis Northeast(NF Northeast) seeks a dynamic Executive Director who will take this beloved and vibrant nonprofit to its next level. The new leader will be replacing the founder of NF Northeast, who is retiring from the position.   About NF Northeast   NF Northeast brings hope to those affected by neurofibromatosis (NF) and allied disorders. It provides critical and lifelong support and understanding to families affected by NF, creates awareness about the disease, advocates for funding and policies, and promotes research and enhanced clinical care. Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder of the nervous system that causes tumors to form on the nerves anywhere in or on the body at any time. NF affects all races, all ethnic groups and both sexes equally, and affects approximately 130,000 people in the US, more people than cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy combined.   Patients and families are at the heart of NF Northeast. The organization was incorporated in 1988 by a group of people who were in some way affected by the genetic disorder, and families continue to be the energy and person-power behind the organization’s advocacy, awareness raising, and fundraising at its marathons, organized golf tournaments, walks and 5K runs, bike rides and dining events.   NF Northeast connects families to each other, creating communities of support, provides scholarships to help students who have NF continue their education beyond high school, and sponsors children and teenagers who have NF to attend Camp New Friends, a welcoming and accepting safe haven.   Advocacy has become one of the most important ongoing programs of the organization, and since joining other NF organizations from around the country in 1996 to create the NF Advocacy Network, it has worked closely with members of the House and Senate to secure over $600 million for federally funded NF research.   NF Northeast’s office is in Burlington, MA and it employs two full-time staff members and two part-time staff members, one of which is based in New York. The Board of 12 members represent NF patients, family members/parents, and medical providers from the Northeast. It has an annual budget of $850,000 and is financially stable.

The Rhode Island Land Trust Council seeks a strategic and experienced leader to work with the Board to promote and grow the organization. The Executive Director will be a conservation advocate and champion able to partner with a strong grassroots network of land trust leaders, organizations, and community members across Rhode Island and New England.   Rhode Island stands at a pivotal moment in open space and natural land conservation. Prime farmland, important forestland, diverse habitat areas, and water resource protection areas are being lost to increasing sprawl development across the state. Land trusts and agencies are stretched thin and have limited resources to deal with perpetual stewardship of protected lands. Creative solutions are needed to inspire and bring together the leaders of our diverse local organizations, motivate them, and give them tools for informed conservation action. Inspired and informed legislation on these issues is needed to effect change at the state house. The next Executive Director of the Rhode Island Land Trust Council will play a key role in impacting positive change at a critical time in Rhode Island conservation.   About Rhode Island Land Trust Council   Rhode Island Land Trust Council (Council) is a statewide non-profit organization that works to permanently conserve open and natural land in Rhode Island by supporting land trusts, promoting responsible use and stewardship of conserved lands, and advocating for sound land conservation policy.  As a statewide coalition for Rhode Island’s land trust community the Council is dedicated to helping the people and communities of Rhode Island protect their land and water resources.   The organization was founded in 1999 by land trust leaders and currently has a staff of 2.0 (Executive Director, half-time Program Coordinator, and half-time Philanthropy Associate), an annual operating budget of $200,000, and a 12-member Board of volunteer trustees.  The Council’s 5-year strategic plan adopted in February 2020 envisions the Council’s growth to a staff of four and an annual operating budget of $500,000.   RI Land Trust Council goals are: - Advocate for land conservation and land trust matters at the state level. - Facilitate collaboration among land trusts. - Position the RI Land Trust Council to lead in strengthening land trust’s capacity for governance, effective land conservation stewardship and community engagement. - Provide direct support to land trusts to reduce the backlog of deferred documentation and improve stewardship practices. - Ensure the long-term protection of municipal conservation properties. - Increase public awareness of, and build public support and engagement for, land conservation. - Strengthen the Council’s capacity to operate and implement programs and activities as well as address new opportunities and urgent problems. - The RI Land Trust Council is a respected and effective voice for land trusts and the land conservation community in state policy discussions.  Through multi-partner campaigns since 2004, the Council has helped secure over $63 million in Land Conservation Funding through State Open Space Bond Referendums. .Collectively, Rhode Island's land trusts conserve hundreds of properties including more than 26,500 acres of natural areas, farmland, forest, and wildlife habitat. The RI Land Trust Council is a respected and effective voice for land trusts and the land conservation community in state policy discussions.  Through multi-partner campaigns since 2004, the Council has helped secure over $63 million in Land Conservation Funding through State Open Space Bond Referendyms.  Collectively, Rhode Island's land trusts conserve hundreds of properties including more than 26,500 acres of natural areas, farmland, forest, and wildlife habitat.              

The Right Question Institute (RQI) seeks a collaborative and strategic Executive Director to lead the RQI team in executing its mission to make democracy work better by teaching a strategy that allows anyone, no matter their educational, income, or literacy level, to learn to ask better questions and participate more effectively in decisions that affect them. The new leader will collaborate closely with RQI’s program leaders, founding co-directors, and board to set the strategic direction of the organization and to ensure its financial and organizational sustainability.   About RQI The Right Question Institute occupies a unique place in the landscape of nonprofit organizations. Over the past 30 years, RQI staff have created and continue to refine a transformative educational strategy that makes it possible for all people to learn to ask better questions and participate more effectively in key decisions that affect them.   The Right Question Institute provides simple, dynamic, and powerful methods for improving teaching and learning, increasing voter engagement, fostering self-advocacy skills in a range of settings including the legal system, and strengthening patient participation in their own health care. RQI’s methods are used across a wide range of fields by thousands of schools, nonprofit programs and services. RQI has received strong funding support from small and large foundations, consulting earned income, book royalties, and generous private donors.   RQI’s innovative methods are delivered through educational institutions, service organizations, public agencies, community-based organizations, and health care providers all over the country and across the world. RQI’s materials, trainings, web-based resources, and consulting services provide a remarkably cost-effective way for organizations to strengthen the ability of people they work with to make their voices heard and advocate effectively for themselves, their families and their communities.   RQI envisions a vibrant democracy in which all citizens– even those farthest from power– can effectively advocate for themselves, their families, and their communities. Individual citizens confidently participating in their common and ordinary encounters with public agencies and services will produce examples of what RQI calls “Microdemocracy,” a new starting point for democratic action and the cornerstone of a strong foundation for a more just society.   Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, RQI has an annual budget of $1.4M. RQI employs a core staff of nine and is supported by a cross-sector, nine-person board of directors, college and post-graduate interns, consultants, and other professionals in the field. RQI values its intentional and thoughtful organizational culture, which is characterized by collaboration, inclusivity, openness, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to innovative, iterative thinking centered on learning and continuous improvement. RQI strives to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.   The Opportunity The hiring of a newly-created Executive Director role represents an important moment in RQI’s history. RQI is a strong organization that has a proven track record and significant recognition for its work. Staff members are experienced, highly competent self-starters who share a passion for RQI’s mission and genuinely enjoy working together. The board of directors is also deeply passionate about RQI and invests significant time and financial resources to support the mission and programs.   Having built and sustained the organization for three decades, co-founders Dan Rothstein and Luz Santana are eager to step back from organizational management so that they can fully focus on advancing the thought leadership and public argument for RQI’s groundbreaking ideas and practical methods for creating a more just and equitable democracy. RQI believes that in order to create a healthier democracy we need to ensure that all people can make their voices heard and have a say in decisions that affect them. The work begins with more students learning to think for themselves in the classroom and continues with strengthening the ability of all people, no matter their level of education or income, to advocate for themselves and hold decision-makers accountable. Dan and Luz are excited for the upcoming transition, and they look forward to welcoming a new leader who will bring the skills and capabilities that RQI needs to ensure long term sustainability.   This is a unique opportunity for an energetic, collaborative, and strategic leader to play an important role in advancing the shared vision for RQI and the impact it can have in communities around the world. Through a focus on strategic planning, fundraising, business development, and organizational growth, the incoming Executive Director will add their complementary skill set to RQI’s existing strengths and assets to help the entire organization set and achieve its shared goals.   Role of the Executive Director The Executive Director (ED) will bring a balanced approach to leadership, combining an understanding of, and connection to, RQI’s core work with key strengths in organizational growth, strategy, and development. The ED will be inspired and motivated by RQI’s mission and able to speak in a compelling way about the work and impact, while also bringing strategic focus and business acumen to the organization. The ideal candidate is a collaborative and team-oriented leader who values process and relationship building and seeks input at all levels in planning and decision-making.   Reporting to the board of directors, the Executive Director will be responsible and accountable for overall management of the organization. They will oversee operations and drive strategy, framing, and focus, while preserving and nurturing RQI’s culture of personal growth and mutual support. Using a collaborative, inclusive, and responsive approach to staff supervision, the ED will work with RQI’s senior staff team to jointly establish goals and provide resources and needed support to achieve results. Similarly, the ED will work in partnership with the co-founders to successfully navigate their transition from broad organizational leadership to new roles focused on theory development and program delivery and to ensure the success of the ED in the role as RQI’s organizational leader.

Overview of the Organization and Head Start Program   Founded in 1834, Children’s Friendbegan as a home for abused children and has evolved into one of the state’s most innovative human service agencies.  Guided by its mission, Children’s Friend is the innovative leader in improving the well-being and healthy development of Rhode Island’s most vulnerable young children. By reaching children in their earliest years and by working with the entire family, Children’s Friend helps children grow up in the best possible environment while assisting their families to become self-sufficient.   With sites in Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Falls, Children’s Friend is a wide-reaching, well-regarded community leader that provides a broad array of services for children and families. These include: clinical services; adoption; foster care; parent education; Early Intervention; nurse family visiting for high-risk newborns; Nurse-Family Partnership; Healthy Families America; WIC; Early Head Start, Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships, and Head Start; State-funded Pre-K; a summer learning and enrichment program; child care, including therapeutic child care for children with special needs; and a variety of family support and family preservation programs.   Children’s Friend is a well-resourced organization with significant administrative strengths and a cutting-edge internal infrastructure.  The organization has received awards for being a Best Place to Work and a Healthiest Employer in Rhode Island.  Staff enjoy a culture of innovation and empowerment and the freedom to take risks.  Additionally, Children’s Friend is a Council on Accreditation-accredited agency and a founding member of the Child Welfare League of America.    The largest Head Start program in Rhode Island, Children’s Friend’s Head Start program provides comprehensive child and family development services while promoting school readiness in low-income preschool children. Services include education, health, nutrition, social services, and other child and family supports. Due to the program’s success in reaching so many of the most vulnerable children in its catchment area and because of the wide array of organizational wrap-around services, the program enjoys a strong reputation within the community.   The Opportunity   Children’s Friend is seeking a Vice President of Programs / Director of Head Start (VP / Director) to provide culturally competent leadership and vision for the development and implementation of its high quality prenatal / birth through five family support and educational program. The VP / Director will have the opportunity to guide this highly-respected and well-known program with an exceptional track record of success. The VP / Director oversees all areas of the Head Start and Family Support program operations including the establishment and implementation of program goals, and relationships with funding sources and other state, federal, and community-based organizations.  Reporting to the Chief of Programs, this is a senior leadership role that will often participate in the executive leadership and decision making process.