Executive Director

Lead a respected National Estuary Program on the Oregon Coast

Tillamook Estuaries Partnership is seeking an Executive Director to lead the organization into its next chapter of estuary restoration and community education.

TEP is the National Estuary Program for Tillamook County, Oregon, working to conserve and restore the county’s estuaries and watersheds through science, restoration, monitoring, education, and partnership.

The organization is respected for its science-based credibility, practical approach, strong partnerships, and deep connection to the communities and watersheds of Tillamook County. It works across agencies, landowners, local governments, funders, conservation partners, educators, and community members to support healthier estuaries, watersheds, wildlife, and communities.

Why Tillamook County

This role is based on the Oregon Coast, in a county shaped by estuaries, bays, rivers, coastal forests, working lands, small towns, and the Pacific Ocean. For the right candidate, that is part of the draw: clean air, outdoor recreation, close connection to the landscape, and the chance to lead work where the mission is visible every day.

It is also a place where relationships matter. The Executive Director will need to be present, listen well, build trust patiently, and become genuinely invested in the community TEP serves.

The opportunity

This is a strong organization entering a more complex stage. TEP has expert staff, trusted programs, and a strong reputation. At the same time, the organization is growing, funding strategy is becoming more important, public visibility is increasing, and the Estuary Science Center — a new facility for estuary research, education, and community connection on Tillamook Bay — is moving from vision toward reality.

The next Executive Director will provide the strategic, organizational, funding, and public leadership needed to keep TEP focused, well-resourced, trusted, and effective as it advances its mission with credibility and lasting impact.

This is not primarily a technical science role. TEP already has strong technical expertise. The Executive Director must be science-fluent and mission-grounded, able to understand, translate, protect, and elevate the work while creating the conditions for expert staff to thrive.

Key responsibilities

Lead strategy and mission alignment

Set and sustain clear organizational direction, multi-year priorities, CCMP alignment, and disciplined focus around TEP’s core watershed mission.

Strengthen organizational capacity and staff leadership

Create the clarity, trust, systems, support, and accountability needed for expert staff to do excellent work sustainably.

Lead funding strategy and financial sustainability

Build and communicate a durable, mission-aligned funding strategy that protects core public and federal funding while strengthening philanthropic, donor, corporate, foundation, and public-sector relationships.

Protect science-based trust and public credibility

Serve as a credible public representative and trusted resource. Communicate complex estuary and watershed work clearly to varied audiences while protecting TEP’s science-based, practical posture.

Build partnerships and convene across difference

Develop durable relationships across agencies, landowners, local governments, tribes, working lands, conservation partners, funders, educators, and community members.

Partner effectively with the Board

Support strong governance through clear information, strategic context, role clarity, and decision-ready communication.

The leadership profile

The strongest candidates will bring a blend of organizational leadership, funding strategy, coalition-building, and science-based communication.

We are looking for someone who:

• Leads by creating clarity, trusting expertise, and placing ownership with the people closest to the work.
• Builds high-trust teams where honest input, strong collaboration, and clear accountability can thrive together.
• Represents the organization with confidence, credibility, and humility.
• Listens deeply, learns the local context, and stays steady under complexity.
• Can translate technical or science-based work for public, funding, policy, and community audiences.
• Builds trust patiently with people and groups who may bring different interests or perspectives.
• Wants to become genuinely rooted in Tillamook County and its rural, relationship-driven culture.

Required qualifications

• Seven or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in nonprofit, conservation, environmental, public-sector, or mission-driven organizations, including at least three years supervising staff.
• A track record of setting vision and strategy and leading an organization or major function with accountability for people, strategy, finances, and results.
• Success at working effectively with a supervisor and/or board of directors.
• Experience managing organizational budgets, public funding, or grant-supported programs, and building or diversifying funding.
• A strong record of building trusted relationships with public agencies, funders, partners, and a wide range of community stakeholders.
• People-developing leadership style, including building clarity, delegating authority, coaching, and holding accountability with care.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including public speaking and the ability to explain complex or technical topics to varied audiences.
• Experience with an environmental, conservation, or mission-aligned organization.

Preferred qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences, engineering, public administration, business administration, urban and regional planning, policy analysis, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Familiarity with rural and coastal communities.
• Experience with estuary, watershed, or natural-resource work, or with a National Estuary Program and federal funding models.
• Capital project or facility experience, especially related to public-facing science, education, research, or community facilities.
• Experience implementing organizational systems such as strategic planning, performance management, or structured meeting rhythms.

Location, schedule, and benefits

This position is based in Tillamook County, Oregon. TEP’s main office is currently in Garibaldi and will relocate to Bay City with the new Estuary Science Center. Staff typically work four ten-hour days, with some hybrid flexibility.

Candidates from outside the area are welcome to apply, with the understanding that the selected candidate will establish residence in Tillamook County as part of stepping into the role.

The salary range is $106,000–$155,900, commensurate with experience. TEP offers a full benefits package.

Click here for the full position description and application instructions.

This position is eligible for enrollment in TEP’s comprehensive benefits package. Details on benefits will be provided to the selected candidate as part of the job offer. An overview of TEP’s current benefits package for full-time employees includes:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance (TEP pays 100% for employee, 80% for spouse and dependent children)
• Retirement Program – TEP contributes an additional 7% of the employee’s salary into a 401k, with tiered vesting structure based on years of employment with TEP; employee may also contribute to 401k)
• Holidays – 10 federal holidays plus 2 floating holidays
• Vacation – Approx 10.5 days per year (accrual system to be explained upon hire)
• Professional development/training budget: $1250 per year, funding dependent