Chief Operating Officer
Location
Venus, FL
Type
Full-time
Benefits:
- Benefits eligible
Chief Operations Officer is responsible for the overall administration, coordination and evaluation of administration, accounting and safety/risk management for Archbold Expeditions, Inc., and all areas of property and physical plant at Archbold Biological Station and Reserve. The Chief Operating Officer is not responsible for the Agricultural Operations of Buck Island Ranch but will work closely with the Director of Ranch Operations.
This is a full-time, exempt position typically working 40 hours per week, evening and weekend hours may be required with little or no notice. Long hours may be required preparing for Board Meetings or special events. This is an on-site role with the opportunity for remote work, 1-2 days per week. This position will involve occasional travel outside the local area and may include overnight stays.
The incumbent must be able to work in conditions that include inclement weather, heat, and humidity. The incumbent will also work in a professional office environment, and routinely use standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, projectors, and fax machines. The incumbent will have possible exposure to potentially hazardous materials and is required to wear appropriate protective clothing and equipment when handling these materials.
The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, or sit for long periods of time; and occasionally required to lift, push, and pull items up to 50 pounds; climb stairs; reach, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
Operations
This is a full-time, exempt position typically working 40 hours per week, evening and weekend hours may be required with little or no notice. Long hours may be required preparing for Board Meetings or special events. This is an on-site role with the opportunity for remote work, 1-2 days per week. This position will involve occasional travel outside the local area and may include overnight stays.
The incumbent must be able to work in conditions that include inclement weather, heat, and humidity. The incumbent will also work in a professional office environment, and routinely use standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, projectors, and fax machines. The incumbent will have possible exposure to potentially hazardous materials and is required to wear appropriate protective clothing and equipment when handling these materials.
The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, or sit for long periods of time; and occasionally required to lift, push, and pull items up to 50 pounds; climb stairs; reach, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
Operations
- Management of day-to-day operations of Archbold associated with Administration, Accounting and Safety/Risk Management.
- Management of day-to-day operations of Archbold Station & Reserve, associated with the property, physical plant, systems administration and facilities functions.
- Collaborates with senior management to develop and meet organizational goals while supplying expertise and guidance on operations projects and systems.
- Manages operational and regulatory compliance issues in each area of responsibility for the Station, Reserve, and in coordination with the Director of Agricultural Operations at Buck Island Ranch.
- Coordinates tracking of key business performance indicators and data and reports at regular intervals.
- Has incumbency certificate from the Board of Directors to act as signatory (up to $100,000) for the organization for bills, invoices, contracts, and payments, etc.
- Provides regular, accurate data and other informational support to the Executive Director and the Board of Directors.
- Advances a workplace culture that is open, communicative, productive, and enjoyable for all employees.
- Will lead the focus on how Human Resource services are delivered, as well as the design, development, and implementation of Human Resource services. The person in this role will drive efficiency, effectiveness, cost, and compliance for all Humna Resource services.
- Management of Human Resource issues for Archbold Expeditions, Inc., including policy actions in response to employee performance issues, oversight of negotiations regarding Human Resource issues, and maintaining current standards regarding federal, state, and local labor laws.
Risk Management
- Coordinates all insurance needs related to the infrastructure of Archbold Expeditions, Inc., including insurance needs, liability protection, property, worker’s compensation, and all related reporting for these areas, seeking outside support as warranted. Works with outsourced accounting vendor as necessary to complete data gathering to support insurance coverage.
- Responsible for risk management oversight, including proactive risk management, response to safety violations, and workers' compensation.
- Liaison to the Board’s Legal Affairs, Governance and HR/Insurance Committee.
- Liaison to the Board’s Facilities/Operations/Capital Improvements Committee.
- Manages all legal issues related to Archbold Expeditions, Inc., in collaboration with the Executive Director, and seeks outside support as warranted.
- Stands in for the Executive Director when available and as needed.
Financial
- Ensure the financial integrity of Archbold Expeditions, Inc. within the guidelines prescribed by the Executive Director and the Board of Trustees by overseeing outsourced accounting.
- Coordinates contracting and performance of outsourced accounting.
- Tracks all monthly financial statements to budget provided by outsourced accounting for Station and all grant cost centers. Reviews overall organizational financial statements and reports quarterly to Executive Director.
- Provide, in coordination with outsourced accounting, regular, accurate data and other informational support to the Executive Director, the Finance Committee, the Treasurer, the Audit Committee, the Investment Committee and the Board.
- Act as the key liaison to the Auditor for final preparation of the annual audit and management letter, as well as periodic reviews during the year.
Contracting:
- Liaison to outside contractors for administrative functions of the Station and the Reserve. Assists the Director of Agricultural Operations with outside contractors at Buck Island Ranch.
- Ensures that all outside contractors used by Archbold Expeditions, Inc. in any capacity are qualified and contracted in writing and that files are kept on each contractor.
- Review all contracts between Archbold Expeditions, Inc. and outside vendors or parties.
- Responsible for legal aspects of real estate transactions by Archbold Expeditions, Inc
- Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
Supervisory Responsibility
- Property and Physical Plant (the Station and the Reserve)
- Facilities and Guest Services (the Station)
- Human Resources (Archbold Expeditions, Inc.)
- Risk Management (Archbold Expeditions, Inc.)
- Systems Administration (Archbold Expeditions, Inc.)
Education and Experience
- 4-year college degree preferred with ability to show a clear record of continued education in business administration, risk management or related subject matter.
- Highly proficient, 8+ years of experience preferred in senior administration and/or operational management or the equivalent in government, private sector, or non-profits. High proficiency in use of a variety of general management computer software, with specific experience in using the same or similar accounting software as used by Archbold.
- Experience and comfort in dealing with outside agencies and contractors.
- Familiar with insurance and/or legal issues a plus.
- Flexibility and foresight are required for managing both normal and unforeseen job complexities.
Competencies and Additional Eligibility Qualifications
- An understanding of and commitment to the Archbold mission
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong supervisory and leadership skills
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Archbold Biological Station and Buck Island Ranch
Archbold's mission is to build and share the scientific knowledge needed to protect the life, lands, and waters of Florida, and beyond. Archbold’s footprint encompasses the ancient scrub habitats of the Lake Wales Ridge; the Avon Park Air Force Range Sentinel Landscape; the vast, open ranchlands of Central Florida; and the many waterways that flow south into Lake Okeechobee and then drain to the coasts, touching the lives of millions of Floridians. Archbold studies and protects these natural wonders as ecosystems: as complex networks shaped by measurable natural processes. Our dozens of research sites encompass the pristine sand dunes of the Lake Wales Ridge; the ranchlands and wetlands that make up much of Central Florida; and the rivers that flow south into Lake Okeechobee and beyond.
Today Archbold stewards a rich mosaic of natural habitats, native ecosystems, working lands, and historic buildings at Archbold Biological Station and Buck Island Ranch. The Station and the Ranch serve as the place-based crucible for our innovative science, conservation, and education programs. These draw from a long, deep history, dating back from our beginnings, founded by Richard Archbold in 1941.
Archbold is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We take action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected status. Archbold will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Archbold stands proud of its collaborative culture and all dimensions of diversity in the workplace equally and works to ensure that everyone feels a sense of inclusion and belonging.
Company Website: www.archbold-station.org
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