Position Title: Executive Director, Friends of Fonta Flora State Trail, Inc.
General Job Description: The Executive Director will provide leadership, advocacy, development, and general operations for the organization. They will oversee all affairs related to the organization’s administration, strategic plan, marketing, fundraising, fiscal management, program management, community outreach.
The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors, and enables the Board to meet its governance, financial, and legal responsibilities. They will implement the Boards’ directives. The Executive Director must be deeply committed to the goals of the organization and the execution of its mission.
This is a full-time position working remotely with the potential to have office space as the organization grows.
Responsibilities:
Communicate –
- Serve as an articulate, passionate, and visible spokesperson and as a prominent leader
- Share information regarding the organization and the Fonta Flora State Trail (benefits, progress, etc) to the media, public, stakeholders, landowners, government entities, businesses, trail users, board and members
- Use a variety of communication methods based on the situation – in person and online meetings, phone, email, newsletters, surveys, brochures, social media, web
Coordinate –
- Facilitate meetings among the board, trail organizations, stakeholders, tourism agencies, government entities and the like.
- Compile and keep up to date: Reports from each jurisdiction, contact lists of different groups (stakeholders, trail groups, board members), trail section project details, strategic plan goals
- Work with other non-profits to advance the cause – health and fitness, land trusts
- Expand revenue generating and fundraising activities
- Research and write grants
- Build, maintain, and sustain trusting relationships, partnerships, and alliances
- Develop and monitor an annual budget
Activate –
- Build excitement and supporters by making it easy to be a part of the trail
- Plan special events, conferences, public input sessions
- Provide technical assistance on trail acquisition and development and find solutions to trail system-wide challenges
- Energize and engage volunteers, board members, committees, and funders
- Enhance the organization’s image by being active and visible in the community and by working closely with other professional, civic and private organizations.
- Develop and implement a strategic plan, re-evaluate as needed
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- 5 years’ experience in non-profit sector
- Knowledgeable in using
- Customer relationship management (CRM) software, Donor Perfect
- Accounting software and generating financial reports
- Word Press for web site updates
- Mail Chimp for monthly newsletters
- Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
- Excellence in organizational management
- Strong marketing, public relations, and fundraising experience with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and diverse groups of people
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills
- Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative approach to business planning
- High level strategic thinking and planning
- Strong work ethic with a high degree of energy – action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable
Salary: $60,000/year
Email cover letter and resume to info@fontaflorastatetrail.com by January 10, 2022. Interviews for selected candidates will take place after that date.
The Executive Director must live in one of the three counties that host the Fonta Flora State Trail – Burke, McDowell or Buncombe.
The State Budget includes $29.25M in nonrecurring funds in FY 21-22 for the Complete the Trails Fund, marking the first time North Carolina has made a significant direct investment in trails.
McDowell Trails Association organized the fundraising, building and installation of three new Fonta Flora State Trail signs.
F3ST kicked off its Fall Hike & Learn Series in Asheville, where the Fonta Flora State Trail ends. The Learn was provided by two sources – 
As a non-profit, Friends of the Fonta Flora State Trail is able to accept donations from individuals and hold them until needed. That was the case for the $100,000 donation used for some of the match for the $330,000 PARTF grant the Town of Old Fort received. Shown is F3ST President Judge Bob Hunter presenting the donation check the Old Fort Mayor Hensley. 
A future section of the Fonta Flora State Trail in Old Fort is now open to the public! On October 7 a ribbon cutting was held for the Copper Ridge section and attendees heard from some of the partners that helped build it. The trailhead for the 3-mile trail is located on Hwy 70 between Camp Grier and Point Lookout Trail. Special guests included NC State Parks Director Dwayne Patterson and Land Owner Dan Allison.
The N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) has awarded the Town of Old Fort $330,000 for the Old Fort Fonta Flora Trailhead and Park. A local match of $330,000 is required and being covered by McDowell County, Old Fort, Community Donors, and McDowell Trails Association. Amenities will include a dog park, paved 0.25 mile section of Fonta Flora State Trail, restrooms, parking, picnic pavilion, and event lawn. 
To ensure F3ST continues to thrive, we are forming three new committees that are open to board members, advisory council members and the community. If you have an interest in getting involved with F3ST in this way, let Beth know. 
Instead of a brochure with an FFST map of trailheads that will be out of date before printed, F3ST went with a rack card with a QR Code to access our 
F3ST organized a meeting with FFST Land Managers and Smith Raynor, State Trails Planner for an overview of the state trail process. The goal was to make sure everyone understands what is expected in planning state trail, building state trail and having it designated. For example, what forms are required, what visits are needed and when, when trails can be marked as state trail, etc.
Burke and McDowell County Officials toured the new Lake James State Park Visitor Center with Superintendent Coffey. The Fonta Flora State Trail will cross the 250-foot Cove Bridge and enter the Visitor Center.
David Billstrom with