Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Position Announcement Midwest Assistance Program, Inc. (MAP)
Application Process:
- Applications accepted from November 3, 2026 – December 2, 2026
- Expected start date is March 16 – April 1, 2027 About MAP: Midwest Assistance Program, Inc. (MAP) is a non-profit organization serving the nine Midwestern states of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. MAP is a partner of the Rural Community Assistance Partnership, Inc. (RCAP). Midwest Assistance Program assists rural communities, tribal nations, and utilities with finding solutions to their infrastructure needs regarding drinking water, wastewater, and solid waste operations. MAP is dedicated to helping rural and tribal communities improve their environment, quality of life, and self-sustainability. Since 1979 MAP has supported hundreds of communities and tribal nations to have a public infrastructure and maintenance capacity that is safe, healthy, environmentally sound, and compliant. Current operating budget is $8.45 million. The majority of funding is from EPA, USDA RD and Health and Human Services grants awarded through RCAP. Currently, 58 staff are based throughout the nine-state region. MAP maintains a central office in Maryville, MO where three staff work daily. The CEO maintains an office at the central office for duties not performed at home office or remotely. The program’s mission is dedicated to helping rural communities and tribal nations improve their environment, quality of life, and achieve self-sustainability, through training and technical assistance in all areas of management, finance, and operations. The Midwest Assistance Program, Inc. (MAP) is a non-profit organization serving the nine Midwestern states of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. MAP is a Rural Community Assistance Partnership, Inc. (RCAP) partner. Additional information regarding impact, RCAP, core services, and staff, can be found on map-inc.org.
Supervised by: MAP, Inc. Board of Directors Classification: VIII Exempt
Compensation and Benefits:
- Anticipated starting salary to be $150,000 annually. Final compensation will be based on qualifications and experience.
- Fringe benefits may include health, life, dental, vision, disability, paid time off, sick time, federally recognized holidays, and retirement programs. Travel and per diem are reimbursed at General Services Administration (GSA) rates.
- Flexibility in work schedule, with few weekends required.
Location: Negotiable within MAP’s nine-state region. If not currently residing within region, then relocation is required within 18 months of effective date of hire.
Position Summary: The Chief Executive Officer provides the visionary, strategic, and operational leadership to accomplish the organization's mission, goals and requirements through oversight, resource management, and guidance. The CEO serves as approval authority for plans, policies, directives, and guidance while providing overall oversight and quality assurance of resource management, roles and responsibilities, accountability and staff welfare. The CEO is accountable to the board for the achievement of organization-wide outcomes, budget management, status reporting, and risk management. The CEO serves on the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) Board of Directors as the MAP, INC representative.
Principal Accountabilities: Specific job goals, objectives, and tasks established for each employee are part of the annual evaluation and work plan process. Examples of core responsibilities and duties include:
- Management – Develop, sustain, and manage staff, operations, budget, resources, and succession plans in a manner consistent with the organization's mission, plans, policies, and by-laws. Ensure all contracts, grants, agreements, policies, and procedures are legally and ethically executed. Actively engage, manage, and oversee MAP activities and relationships with RCAP partners, funding organizations, primacy agencies (state, regional and national), partners, and other appropriate entities. Manage and oversee the procurement of legal and other required professional services and consultation. Establish and maintain standards of quality, ethics, and professionalism. Provide timely reports to the board on the status of finances, operational status, critical personnel matters, strategic plan progression, policy updates, and items of risk.
- Planning and Program Development – Establish short- and long-range objectives, goals, and work plans that support the strategic plan, program requirements, and mission. Research and evaluate current and potential programs for MAP in consultation with appropriate staff. Develop and implement new programmatic activities as required by contracts and grants. Seek opportunities for additional programs in order to increase services, impact, and footprint of MAP. Identify and encourage collaborative relationships with potential partners and funders. Supervise MAP's development efforts including governmental, corporate and foundation resources.
- Personnel – Develop, implement, and oversee the management of human resource policies for all personnel in accordance with MAP requirements, policies, values, laws, and statutes. Oversee the development and sustainment of job descriptions for all positions. Oversee and manage the recruitment, hiring, training, and evaluation of employees. Direct and manage the employee compensation and benefits programs to achieve elevated level of personnel welfare. Provide leadership for a professional, efficient, impactful, and customer-service oriented organization. Maintain disciplined staff through engaged leadership, equity, discipline, and receptiveness to staff feedback and ideas.
- Fiscal Operations – Prepare, execute, and manage budgets as approved by board of directors. Maintain and update fiscal policies and procedures in accordance with board directives and legal requirements. Maintain and adhere to internal control procedures. Ensure all corporate fiscal obligations are properly met, and financial procedures and record keeping follow internal policies, accounting standards, laws, and regulations. Ensure a certified annual audit is completed. Ensure all fiscal operations, activities, and policies are reported to the board of directors in accordance with internal policies, controls, and by-laws quarterly.
- Board of Directors – Coordinate with Board Chair to oversee preparation, coordination, execution and recording of Board of Director meetings, events, and activities. Provide feedback, reference material, recommendations, and plans to the board of directors regarding programs, fiscal operations, personnel, strategy, and risk(s). Complete and manage all necessary board meetings and corporate business records. Oversee, coordinate, and manage staff support to board meetings and events. Support and assist the board of directors with their roles, responsibilities, and activities, such as board development, travel, fiscal review, board member recruitment, and board directives and decisions.
- Advocacy Operations – Manage, research, and engage issues regarding policy and challenges rural and tribal communities face with local, state, regional, and national elected officials and funding agencies. Assist the board and staff in understanding these challenges and formulating effective policies, technical assistance approaches, tools, and doctrine. Present information and testimony on policy positions. Support RCAP advocacy efforts and activities. Collaborate with other entities on policy positions affecting rural and tribal communities as deemed worthy.
- Public Relations,- Communication & Marketing – Oversee and maintain an effective system of communications and education throughout the organization and RCAP network. Ensure professional and productive relations and communications are achieved with partners, funders, agencies, public offices, stakeholders, industry professionals, other TA providers, and the public. Increase awareness of MAP programs through focused in-person/virtual meetings, professional events, social media, publications, newsletters, and advocacy efforts. Develop and maintain a Marketing Plan that exploits and expands awareness of MAP’s services, staff, impact, and capabilities.
- Production Management & Quality Control – Establish and maintain an effective system of production management and quality control for all MAP's programs, activities, and requirements assuring compliance with program requirements, laws, regulations, and internal controls. Optimize production and results through quality control measures, effective resource management, cost-effectiveness, and overall efficiency. Conduct risk assessments, implement necessary mitigating measures, and ensure effective corrective action plans are implemented when needed. Be an engaged leader and manager.
Preferred Job Qualifications:
- Experience reflected by master’s degree (Business Administration, Public Administration, Non-Profit Administration, Environmental Engineering, Science in Water Resources Management, or related disciplines) or bachelor’s degree (Science in Environmental Science, Business Administration, Arts in Public Policy, or related disciplines). Executive level position experience of five years or more.
- In lieu of formal education qualifications listed above, eight years or more of applicable leadership experience and training (financial literacy, strategic planning, philanthropy, board governance, advocacy, environmental operations, policy development).
- Five years or more experience working in a non-profit organization. At least two of those years in an upper leadership role, with sound knowledge and experience of non-profit administration principles and management concepts, including budgeting, board management, resource allocation, auditing, asset management, marketing/public relations, and program management.
- Experience working with a Board of Directors or other governing body structure that works with policy, operational, and fiduciary authority and responsibilities.
- Management experience of staff and/or operations in remote locations.
- Visionary, future-focused and analytical thinking to pursue the next steps for MAP.
- Understanding of the culture, needs, and changing profile of rural and tribal America – from personal and/or professional experience.
- Leadership experience in federal and state grant and project funding: from step one to planning the budget to managing staff capacity.
- Demonstrated ability in diversifying services and revenue streams – ability to recognize and develop partnerships and alliances for new opportunities (public/private relationships or partnerships) and plan for growth.
Job Specifications:
- Sustain a professional, efficient, and effective staff through compliant and equitable hiring practices, management of mentoring, training and self-development programs, management of leadership processes and leader development, beneficial employee welfare practices and compensation, and fostering a fair, accountable, appreciative culture.
- Financial stewardship through annual budget development and implementation, monitoring revenue flow, fiscal compliance, and resource allocation management.
- Partner with Board of Directors in order to achieve regulatory compliance, organizational health, fiscal security, internal controls/policies, mission accomplishment, and strategic plan objectives.
- Primary fundraiser through cultivation of grant applications, contract procurement, partnerships, and donors in order to diversify revenue sources.
- Translate the mission into long- and short-term strategic plans and achievable objectives.
- Serve as the public face and chief spokesperson for media, community partners, funders, partners, public officials, and stakeholder events, or ensure delegation of this responsibility is resourced, communicated, and supported.
- Have knowledge of water and wastewater programs supported by federal agencies such as EPA, USDA, and Health and Human Services (HHS).
- Have awareness of federal, state, and local government agencies, programs, issues, and regulations.
- Have elevated level of knowledge and awareness of programs and project management.
- Understand outreach and networking principles, including the capability of developing collaborative relationships.
- Understand legislative advocacy and regulations pertaining to lobbying.
- Maintain communication skills and plans to create a visible public presence for MAP in the region and nationally.
- Be familiar with community organizing dynamics.
- Facilitation, mediation, risk mitigation, and meeting management skills.
- Have working knowledge and experience of offsite supervision.
- Establish and maintain authority levels of staff roles in order to effectively delegate.
- Maintain a valid driver's license and proof of auto liability insurance.
Special Requirements:
- Must possess a valid US driver’s license.
- Must have dependable transportation available at all times. Travel is a critical part of this position.
- Must have proof of auto insurance.
- Must have access to reliable high-speed internet from home office.
- Must have reliable phone service from home office (landline and/or cell).
- Some outdoor activity may be required at times.
Physical, Mental or Special Requirements:
-Must be able to communicate effectively in the English language, including reading, writing, and comprehension.
- Must be able to frequently observe, comprehend, produce, and interpret digital and printed materials, move within an office environment, and remain in a stationary position to operate computer/office equipment for extended periods up to 8+ hours per day with reasonable breaks.
- Must be able to travel frequently by various modes of transportation for business-related activities, which may occasionally involve being in transit for up to 8 hours in a day. Overnight stays may be necessary.
- Must be able to function in an outdoor environment when required for project visits, training events, and various activity requirements.
- Must be able to move and transport items such as files, office supplies, training materials, a laptop/computer, or a projector, weighing up to 55 pounds.
- Must be able to maintain a productive and suitable remote workspace.
- Must be able to function and be an engaged participant in lengthy meetings, conferences, discussion groups, staff events, and events as needed on a regular basis.
- Must have dependable transportation available at all times. Travel is a critical part of this position.
- Must have access to reliable high-speed internet from home office.
- Must have reliable phone service from home office (landline and/or cell).
Disclaimers:
- Equal Employment Opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
- MAP is an equal opportunity provider and employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
- This job description is not intended to create an employment contract. Employment with MAP is at will and may be terminated by either the employee or the organization at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable law.
