Job Title: Director of Administration
Level: Senior Management 
Hours: 25 - 30 hours a week
Reports to: Board of Directors (Co-leads organization with Executive Director)
Location: In-person at Freetown Farm (8000 Harriet Tubman Lane, Columbia, MD 21044)
Salary: $40 an hour
Application Deadline: September 15​

About the Community Ecology Institute: Founded in 2016, the Community Ecology Institute (CEI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to cultivate communities where people and nature thrive together. We achieve our mission by providing equitable, intergenerational experiential education that leads to intersecting health and environmental benefits. CEI’s work focuses on tangible, community-level changes at the intersections of environment, education, equity, and health. From our two properties, Freetown Farm and the Green Farmacy Garden, we showcase and teach evidence-based best practices in these areas that are specifically responsive to Howard County’s natural and social ecosystems. CEI is an organization deeply rooted in and committed to guiding principles of inclusive belonging, restorative reciprocity, health and wellness, and integrity and accountability. CEI is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.

Job Description:
The Director of Administration will have hands-on direct responsibility for a range of operational and administrative tasks including human resources, compliance, and finance.  This position is a co-equal member of the senior leadership team, working in partnership with the Executive Director to guide the strategic, financial, and operational well-being of the organization. This position supervises our external financial management team, ensuring that internal systems and infrastructure are strong, sustainable, and aligned with CEI’s mission.

Core Responsibilities: 
Organizational Administration
  • Oversee and continuously improve internal systems, processes, and policies to support efficient and transparent operations.
  • Manage vendor relationships, technology platforms, contracts, insurance, and risk management.
  • Support organizational planning, including strategic initiatives, implementation tracking, and cross-functional alignment.
  • Supervise administrative staff and contractors.
Human Resources
  • Oversee HR functions including hiring, onboarding, benefits administration, performance management, and personnel policies.
  • Foster an inclusive, mission-aligned organizational culture through values-based leadership.
  • Ensure compliance with all employment laws and best practices in equitable and ethical HR.
Governance & Compliance
  • Serve as the administrative liaison to the Board of Directors, ensuring timely reporting and documentation.
  • Ensure organizational compliance, including maintaining and organizing organizational records including bylaws, policies, IRS filings, grant documentation, insurance, GAAP, 501(c)(3) nonprofit requirements, and federal/state reporting.
  • Ensure organizational compliance with nonprofit, labor, and other applicable regulations.
Finance
  • Supervise external contractor that provides financial management services including bookkeeping, payroll, accounts payable/receivable, and financial reporting
  • Co-lead financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting in partnership with the Executive Director and Board, including grant and donation strategies and reporting.
  • Work with the Executive Director to prepare public facing financial documentation, such as annual reports and case statements for donors.
Fundraising
  • Work in collaboration with the Board of Directors and core staff to plan, implement and enhance annual fundraising campaigns, including:
    • Large donor cultivation
    • The annual Harvest Gala fundraiser
    • The annual end of year online fundraising campaign (Giving Tuesday, etc.)
Collaborative Leadership
  • Work in close coordination with the Executive Director to align administrative and programmatic goals.
  • Participate in shared leadership practices including joint decision-making, vision setting, and strategic problem-solving.
  • Support a culture of transparency, accountability, and mutual respect across departments.

Qualifications:
  • 5+ years of administrative or operational leadership, preferably in the nonprofit sector.
  • Demonstrated experience with supervising staff, financial management, HR, and nonprofit compliance.
  • Proficiency with administrative platforms (e.g., QuickBooks, Google Workspace, CRM systems, payroll processing systems).
  • Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills. Detail-oriented with a systems-thinking mindset.
  • Values-driven leadership style with a commitment to equity, environmental sustainability, transparency and community-driven work.
  • Experience working in collaborative or shared leadership environments is a plus.
  • Experience working with databases, websites and other information technology is a plus.

Work Environment & Expectations:
  • Primarily working onsite at Freetown Farm and/or the Green Farmacy Garden, with flexibility for planned remote work
  • Occasional evening or weekend work for board meetings or events.
  • Commitment to the mission and values of the Community Ecology Institute.

Salary Range:
  • $60,000 - $63,000 commensurate with experience.

Benefits:
  • Time off: Director level employees accrue starting at four weeks of paid time off in their first year.
  • Retirement: After three months of employment, full-time employees are able to enroll in our 401k retirement program, which includes a 3% employer match.
  • Professional development: CEI staff are enrolled in our LinkedIn Learning professional development platform, which provides training and skill development that can enhance your work at CEI as well as your overall professional qualifications.
  • Health Insurance: After three months of employment, this position is eligible for health insurance coverage through CEI and the ability to buy into dental and vision coverage.

Application & Interview Process: 
To apply, please complete our application form, including uploading a cover letter and current resume, by September 15, 2025.
If you need to make any changes to your application or share an updated version of your cover letter and resume, email [email protected].
Qualified candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview. Interviews are planned for the end of September, with the goal of having the successful candidate begin on November 1, 2025.