Job Details

Pine Mountain Settlement School
Executive Director Search Announcement

Pine Mountain Settlement School, located at the base of the beautiful north slope of Pine Mountain in Harlan County, Kentucky, announces a search for an Executive Director to lead the historic institution. Pine Mountain, once a mountain boarding school, now a nonprofit organization, has a long history of providing scientifically based environmental education and hands-on arts, crafts, and heritage exploration for people of the eastern Kentucky region and beyond. The Search Committee seeks an individual qualified to lead the organization in program development and operations; personnel management; financial and grant administration; oversight of facilities, grounds, archives, and cultural resources; communications and public relations; and administrative areas.
With a mission to enrich people and enhance lives through Appalachian place-based education for all ages, Pine Mountain Settlement School takes a holistic approach to stewardship of its natural, agricultural, human, and built environment. Activities support environmental education, sustainability, community development, and Appalachian culture and heritage. The campus is designated as a National Historic Landmark. The school employs 11 full-time staff and utilizes volunteers and consultants in its operations and programming.

The Executive Director is appointed by and reports to the Board of Trustees, collaborating on strategic leadership, ensuring financial and organizational sustainability, and overseeing daily activities as a team-oriented leader who engages and empowers staff to meet the mission of the school.  The Search Committee seeks a visionary leader who is skilled in all aspects of nonprofit management. Strong candidates will demonstrate experience with place-based, participatory education that integrates scientific approaches into programming. Familiarity with public education standards is a plus. Respect for diversity and inclusion and a rich understanding and appreciation of Appalachian ecology, culture, and mountain heritage are important. Candidates should possess at least a Bachelor’s degree in a field related to the work of the school. Preference is for the Executive Director to live on the Pine Mountain Settlement School campus with housing provided by the school.  Salary is commensurate with experience, with an anticipated starting range of $65,000 to $75,000.


Review of applications will begin the week of July 17, 2023. Questions may be directed to the Search Committee Chair at: danielsd@berea.edu. The committee will consider applications until the position is filled.