Description

Job Description and Email to submit resume and cover letter is on our website Rosecanyon.org

Send resume and cover letter by July 17, 2026, to [email protected]

Executive Director – Part-time

Friends of Rose Canyon

About Friends of Rose Canyon

Friends of Rose Canyon is a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a 20+ year

history of success in pursuing our mission to protect, preserve, and restore Rose Canyon and the

Rose Creek watershed. Our major focus is on the Rose Canyon green belt between Interstates 5

and 805, much of which is included in the City of San Diego’s Rose Canyon Open Space Park and

Multiple Species Conservation Program.

Position Summary

The Executive Director is responsible for advocacy, fundraising, leadership, and organizational

management for Friends of Rose Canyon. The Executive Director will coordinate the support of

community members, volunteers, other organizations, government agencies, the Board of

Directors and, when necessary, legal counsel.

This position requires a collaborative leader who is passionate about environmental stewardship,

community engagement, and nonprofit sustainability.

Role Specifications

Part-time (approximately 20 – 25 hours per week)

Remote and in-person work required, including some evening and weekend events

Requires maintaining a regular presence in Rose Canyon to observe habitat conditions,

monitor or participate in restoration projects, meet with staX, volunteers, members of the

public, contractors, City of San Diego Open Space Park rangers, or others to represent

Friends of Rose Canyon

Reports to the Board of Directors

Supervises two part-time employees: a seasonal Education Coordinator and a Restoration

Coordinator

Key Responsibilities

Advocacy and Outreach

Coordinate and conduct community outreach and engagement

Maintain and grow existing networks of relationships, and collaborate on advocacy eXorts

with other environmental organizations

Monitor plans by the City of San Diego, SANDAG, and private developers, that may impact

Rose Canyon and the Rose Creek watershed

Advocate to protect Rose Canyon and the Rose Creek watershed at remote and in-person

meetings, hearings, and in environmental coalitions; work with outside legal counsel as

needed

Plan and host community and education events in Rose Canyon and surrounding

neighborhoods

Fundraising and Communications

Research and write grant proposals and donation requests; ensure grant compliance;

prepare and submit required grant reports

Plan and implement annual fundraising campaign

Cultivate relationships with existing and potential donors

Maintain donor and volunteer databases; manage donor and email software programs

1 | P a g e Strengthen community engagement through email, social media, attendance at meetings

and events

Organizational Leadership

Work closely with the Board of Directors to advance the organization's mission, and

collaborate on strategic priorities

Implement Board-approved strategic priorities and annual work plans

Prepare and present regular reports on programs, finances, and organizational activities

Support Board of Directors recruitment

Program and Project Management

Oversee planning and implementation of our habitat restoration projects in coordination

with our Habitat Restoration Coordinator, the City of San Diego Open Space Division, and

our restoration contractors

Oversee planning and implementation of our nature education walks for local schools in

coordination with our Education Coordinator

Administration

Manage budget, oversee payroll administration and financial reporting in coordination with

the bookkeeper and external accountants

Ensure compliance with all nonprofit and regulatory requirements

Maintain and upgrade data systems and website

Qualifications

Demonstrated experience showing passion for nature, conservation, and community

engagement

Minimum 3 years’ experience in nonprofit leadership or management

Demonstrated experience in fundraising, grant writing, donor cultivation, or related

resource development activities

Preferred Experience and Knowledge

Experience in advocacy and work on successful environmental protection eXorts

Familiarity with San Diego’s environmental community, environmental issues and

California state and federal environmental agencies

Familiarity with San Diego’s native habitats

Experience with habitat restoration, outdoor nature education, or related environmental

work

Key Competencies

Proven organizational and time management skills to manage multiple responsibilities

independently

Strong writing and public speaking communications skills

Ability to eXectively network and influence local environmental policy

Ability to leverage digital tools and applications to operate the organization eXiciently and

eXectively

Compensation and Benefits

Part-time, non-exempt position

Compensation: $32–$34/hour, depending on qualifications and experience

2 | P a g e Health insurance stipend; eligibility for CalSavers retirement program (no employer

contribution)

Position accommodates flexible work hours and frequent remote work, with regular

presence in Rose Canyon and attendance at in-person events and meetings, including

occasional evening and weekend time commitments

Physical Demands / Work Environment

This position requires remote oXice work and in-person work in Rose Canyon and other City of San

canyons, as well as attendance at in-person meetings and events. The Executive Director is

expected to maintain a regular presence in Rose Canyon, on trails and at project sites. Duties

include traversing ungroomed and rough trails, uneven ground, steep slopes, loose gravel, and

other outdoor conditions commonly found in Rose Canyon. The Executive Director will participate

in canyon site visits, occasionally lead outdoor meetings or tours, observe or participate in

restoration and stewardship activities, meet with volunteers and partners in the field, and attend

education programs and other outdoor events. The position requires the ability to perform these

functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

The selected candidate must successfully complete a background check and meet organizational

eligibility requirements applicable to this position.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Friends of Rose Canyon is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of diverse

backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives who share our commitment to conservation,

community engagement, and environmental stewardship.

Application Process

Send resume and cover letter by July 17, 2026, to [email protected]

Requirements

Qualifications

Demonstrated experience showing passion for nature, conservation, and community

engagement

Minimum 3 years’ experience in nonprofit leadership or management

Demonstrated experience in fundraising, grant writing, donor cultivation, or related

resource development activities

Preferred Experience and Knowledge

Experience in advocacy and work on successful environmental protection eXorts

Familiarity with San Diego’s environmental community, environmental issues and

California state and federal environmental agencies

Familiarity with San Diego’s native habitats

Experience with habitat restoration, outdoor nature education, or related environmental

work

Key Competencies

Proven organizational and time management skills to manage multiple responsibilities

independently

Strong writing and public speaking communications skills

Ability to eXectively network and influence local environmental policy

Ability to leverage digital tools and applications to operate the organization eXiciently and

eXectively

Compensation and Benefits

Part-time, non-exempt position

Compensation: $32–$34/hour, depending on qualifications and experience

Health insurance stipend; eligibility for CalSavers retirement program (no employer

contribution)

Position accommodates flexible work hours and frequent remote work, with regular

presence in Rose Canyon and attendance at in-person events and meetings, including

occasional evening and weekend time commitments

Physical Demands / Work Environment

This position requires remote oXice work and in-person work in Rose Canyon and other City of San

canyons, as well as attendance at in-person meetings and events. The Executive Director is

expected to maintain a regular presence in Rose Canyon, on trails and at project sites. Duties

include traversing ungroomed and rough trails, uneven ground, steep slopes, loose gravel, and

other outdoor conditions commonly found in Rose Canyon. The Executive Director will participate

in canyon site visits, occasionally lead outdoor meetings or tours, observe or participate in

restoration and stewardship activities, meet with volunteers and partners in the field, and attend

education programs and other outdoor events. The position requires the ability to perform these

functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

The selected candidate must successfully complete a background check and meet organizational

eligibility requirements applicable to this position.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Friends of Rose Canyon is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of diverse

backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives who share our commitment to conservation,

community engagement, and environmental stewardship.