The South Dakota Veterinary Medical Association is actively seeking applicants for an Executive Director to lead our Association.

 This position requires a person with the ability to foresee, communicate and help direct the SDVMA membership to advance excellence, professionalism, education, and veterinary medicine in SD.

This is a part-time position with some travel. Experience in management or association management is required. Areas of activity include, but are not limited to: legislative oversight, committee management, public education, interaction with agriculture and animal related groups, membership growth, member relations, and staff management. Duties begin September 1, 2008. Salary and benefit package available commensurate with experience. Applications close July 1, 2008

For additional information and/or to apply, submit cover letter and resume to: SDVMA, PO Box 2175, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007 or email Janice.Kampmann@sdstate.edu. 

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position title: Executive Director

Incumbent: Vacant Position New Executive Director will begin September 1, 2008

Responsible to: SDVMA Executive Board

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director is the chief executive officer of the South Dakota Veterinary Medical Association. The incumbent is responsible for carrying out the policies and procedures of the organization at the direction of the SDVMA Executive Board. These responsibilities include all administrative and member service functions and all educational, legislative, public education and marketing programs of the SDVMA. The Executive Director does not establish board policy, but makes policy and planning recommendations and is a key advisor to the board. This position provides considerable scope for independent initiative within the parameters of the board’s directions and SDVMA’s Bylaws and Standard Operating Procedures. Within those limits, the SDVMA Executive Director is responsible for and has commensurate authority to accomplish the duties described in this position description. This position requires frequent exercise of independent judgment with minimal day-to-day supervision. It requires the ability to motivate members, committees, and Executive Board to accomplish the goals and missions of the SDVMA and its members. This position has some travel and is part-time.

Duties and Responsibilities of Position

I. Administrative Duties

A. To direct and maintain a central office headquarters for the SDVMA and its members.

B. Implement annual goals for the Executive Board.

C. Supervises SDVMA office operations and personnel, including responsibility for hiring, conducting performance evaluations, and employee discipline.

D. Responsible for maintaining, organizing and securing all records of SDVMA activities and securing and insuring the physical assets of the association.

E. Prepares the draft annual budget and oversees financial management, financial controls, and records of the SDVMA in conjunction with the secretary-treasurer and Budget Committee.

F. Attends all executive board meetings and is responsible for timely preparation and distribution of agendas, supporting documents, reports, and minutes. Present minutes of meetings to officers, directors and appropriate committee members within (2) weeks.

G. Provides support to SDVMA volunteer committees in carrying out their responsibilities.

H. Responsible for timely preparation and filing of SDVMA tax forms.

I. Selects, retains and manages vendors of legal, accounting, and informationtechnology services as these are needed.

J. Attend seminars and other educational programs that will enhance association management. These seminars and/or programs to be determined in conjunction with the Executive Board.

K. Responsible for assuring SDVMA compliance with all pertinent federaland state laws and regulations.

II. Manages SDVMA government and regulatory agency affairs

A. Supervises and monitors SDVMA’s lobbying activities to assure compliance with the objectives of the organization.

B. Supports the organization, maintenance, and communication with the SDVMA member lobbying network.

C. Represents SDVMA, with integrity and professionalism, before the South Dakota legislature and executive departments (especially Department of Agriculture, South Dakota Veterinary Medical Examiners and Animal Industry Board). Arranges for support from SDVMA members and other experts when needed.

III. SDVMA member services and communications activities

A. Organizes and manages the annual SDVMA convention and summer meeting, including procuring sponsorship donations.

B. Plans, organizes, directs and coordinates the programs and activities of the SDVMA to assure that objectives are attained and member needs are met.

C. Supervises and when necessary manages SDVMA member services and communications activities, including the quarterly newsletter, annual directory, and website.

D. Identifies potential new SDVMA member service activities, negotiates with vendors, and monitors any associated financial activity.

E. Counsels and supports individual members and local associations as needed. Annually attend regional veterinary meetings within South Dakota to inform, educate, and update members on activities and concerns of the SDVMA when such attendance would not interfere with critical functions or activities of the SDVMA.

IV. Liaison responsibilities

A. Maintains working relationships with local associations, American Veterinary Medical Association, the associations with the Nine-States Veterinary Conference, and other veterinary medical associations and groups. The Director is expected to represent the SDVMA at regional and national meetings of these groups. The Director is expected to be an ctive participant in the programs and activities of the collective functions of the state VMA's.

B. Maintain effective relationships with legislators, the Governor, the media, South Dakota State University (SDSU) College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, SDSU Departments of Veterinary Science and Animal Science, producer groups.

C. Participates in activities of Ag Unity and other allied industry groupswhen needed.

D. Participates in the American Society of Veterinary Medical Association Executives and other association executive groups as appropriate.

V. Informational responsibilities

A. Serves as the primary spokesperson for SDVMA in communication with the veterinary profession, allied or related groups, the public, and media and finds appropriate veterinarians to respond when needed.

B. Effectively communicates SDVMA’s positions and policies as defined and directed by the executive board.

QUALIFICATIONS

Very strong written and oral communications skills. Capable of dealing with diverse constituencies and adversarial situations with tact and professionalism. A DVM/VMD is not required for this position. A bachelor’s degree is not required but desired.  Has prior administrative management experience or management of a similar not-for profit organization or its equivalent. Although not required, knowledge of veterinary medicine and related issues would be beneficial. A person holding the credentials or certifications as an Association Executive or has demonstrated progress toward obtaining this credential while not required is desirable. Proficiency in operation and management of IT systems such as Microsoft Office (word processing, spreadsheet,) database, email, and financial software applications. Desktop publishing skills are not required but desired.

PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND EVALUATION