National Coal Heritage Area Executive Director

The West Virginia Department of Tourism seeks a dynamic individual with proven leadership qualities and grant management experience to oversee the National Coal Heritage Area. The successful candidate will be enthusiastic and creative, with a vision for how the Heritage Area can adapt and thrive in a changing landscape of federal funding and cultural tourism. The director reports directly to the Deputy Cabinet Secretary for the West Virginia Department of Tourism.

Background

• The mission of the National Coal Heritage Area is to protect, promote, and interpret the rich coal and cultural heritage resources of southern West Virginia.  Designated by Congress in 1996 as a National Heritage Area, the National Coal Heritage Area is one of 64 National Heritage Areas in the country.  The National Coal Heritage Area includes thirteen counties in southern West Virginia: Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Raleigh, Summers, Wayne, Wyoming and the Paint Creek and Cabin Creek watersheds in Kanawha County.
  

Responsibilities

• Oversee all operations of the National Coal Heritage Area, including budgeting, grantmaking, grant monitoring, staffing, procurement, and project development
• Coordinate federal funding from the National Park Service through the cooperative agreement, budgeting, and periodic reporting
• Complete and submit all required reports to the National Park Service and other funders
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with state, regional, and federal partners
• Identify funding sources and develop proposals to secure funds for projects and programs
• Approve and oversee the implementation of marketing strategies and materials
• Oversee implementation of grants provided to community partners
• Supervise staff, volunteers, and national service members
• Represent the agency at local, regional, and statewide meetings
• Provide technical assistance to local governments, community groups, and organizations
• Maintain official records and documents, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and reporting requirements
• Schedule meetings of the National Coal Heritage Area Commission and prepare and present materials and reports to board members.
• Plan, direct, manage and evaluate a variety of programs to carry out the legislative mandate of the National Coal Heritage Area.
• Other duties, as assigned. 

Desired Skills

• Strong communication skills, both oral and written, including public speaking
• Ability to work on a team and facilitate group discussions
• Ability to adapt to changing funding models
• Ability to adapt to changing technologies 
• Proven management and leadership skills
• Ability to understand and manage budgets, including grants management 
• Ability to understand and follow West Virginia state code & federal guidelines in operations and to propose legislative and programmatic updates, when necessary 
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to prioritize work effectively
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with professional colleagues, peers, other office personnel, and the public

Position and Application Details

This job opportunity is not a Civil Service position and is not covered under the Administrative Rule of the WV Division of Personnel. This position requires a full-time work schedule during regular business hours. Remote work is not permitted.  Limited travel is required.

The current office location of the National Coal Heritage Area is Building 9 (the Culture Center) at the State Capitol Complex in Charleston, West Virginia, with long-term plans to move the operation to the planned Coal Heritage Discovery Center, which will occupy the historic Patteson Building in downtown Mt. Hope.

Please apply by submitting a cover letter and resume. Cover letters may be addressed to the Deputy Cabinet Secretary, Ennis Smith. Please email all resumes and cover letters to Perri.K.Bone@wv.gov.