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WWBA JOB OPPORTUNITIES

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

full-time position, 40 hours/week (flex time). Candidate should have excellent leadership, managerial, budgetary, fund raising, program development and literacy skills.

The Walt Whitman Birthplace Association (WWBA), a non-profit 501c3 organization, maintains and operates the Walt Whitman Birthplace New York State Historic Site for New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYS OPRHP). The Whitman Birthplace property is the homestead where the premier American and internationally renowned poet, essayist and journalist Walt Whitman was born in 1819. The Birthplace structure serves as a Museum containing historical artifacts from the early 19th century era. The 1.3-acre site also includes manicured gardens, a Gathering House for meetings and exhibits, a Caretaker cottage, and a modern Interpretive Center which houses a performance space, classroom, library, archival collections and gift shop. If you appreciate literature and historical preservation, come and meet us. 

 

Mission Statement

As stewards of the Walt Whitman Birthplace, a New York State Historic site, we preserve and promote the poet’s legacy with educational programs about his life and work, celebrating inclusivity and inspiring creativity.

LOCATION
Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station, NY 11746

 

 

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Executive Director has the following responsibilities:

STATE PARKS

  • Liaison with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (NYS OPRHP) on Long Island and Albany.
  • Coordinate with NYS Parks for all maintenance and improvements.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

  • Work closely with the Board on business and program agendas.
  • Serve as a non-voting member of the Board and its committees.
  • Prepare Executive Director report for bi-monthly Board meetings.

FINANCIAL

  • Maintain and build financial support from NY State, Suffolk County, and Town of Huntington.
  • Oversee fundraising activities, write grants, oversee grant management.
  • Attract new sources of support from corporations, businesses, and other private sector entities.
  • Prepare annual budget with the Board, manage cash flow, oversee all expenditures.
  • Prepare an annual report.
  • Maintain financial oversight with the Bookkeeper.
  • Oversee operation of gift shop.

PROGRAMS

  • Supervise six annual programs and broaden programs relating to Walt Whitman’s life and times.
  • Engage with Long Island organizations, the poetry community and regional Whitman groups.
  • Develop rotating exhibits of art, history, and literature with the Curator.
  • Serve as editor of our annual “Starting from Paumanok” Newsletter.
  • Promote interest through our website, brochures, press releases, and social media.

STAFF MANAGEMENT

  • Recruit, train and supervise staff, tour guides, volunteers, and Interns.
  • Work with office staff – Educator, Event Director, Administrator, Bookkeeper.
  • Work with Curator to manage collections.
  • Oversee tasks of the Caretaker.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

  • BA Degree, MA + Degree preferred.
  • 3 years’ experience in non-profit management and finance.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook and social media platforms.
  • Conscientious, industrious, enjoy social activities.
  • Ability to foster positive relationships with educators, community members and creative stakeholders.
  • Appreciation of literature and history.
  • Availability to work on evenings and weekends (events, meetings, emergency security on-call).

 

 

COMPENSATION PACKAGE

  • Salary – $70,000 per annum
  • Full time: 40 hrs/week flex time – M,W,TH in office.
  • Private office
  • Vacation — 3 weeks per annum
  • Holidays – 11 paid state/federal holidays
  • Sick Days– 10 sick or personal days
  • Compensation package negotiable

 

 

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants should submit a cover letter with contact info for two references and resume via email to Director@waltwhitman.org.

DEADLINE
March 1, 2024 (or until position is filled)

CONTACT
Cynthia Shor, WWBA Executive Director
631-427-5240 x111
246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station, NY 11746

 

 

WWBA is committed to building and encouraging an inclusive workplace that strives for respect and promotes and values diversity. We believe that organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, or ethnicity are proven to be better organizations. Please consider joining the team as we work together to build a welcoming workplace where employees recognize that their unique characteristics and experiences are valued and respected.

 

 

It is the policy of the State of New York and WWBA to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, veteran or military service, marital status, or any other category protected by law. WWBA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer