A call for volunteer leadership

DarkSky International seeks passionate, thoughtful, and influential volunteer leaders to join our board to advance our mission to restore the nighttime environment and protect communities from the harmful effects of light pollution through outreach, advocacy, and conservation.

Our governance

DarkSky International operates under a governance structure designed to ensure effective leadership, transparency, and accountability. Our organization is guided by a global board of directors composed of leaders from around the world who bring deep expertise in fields including astronomy, lighting design, environmental science, public policy, and nonprofit management. This diversity of perspective strengthens our ability to address light pollution as a global challenge.

Board members serve three-year terms and are expected to actively participate in strategic planning, policy development, and organizational oversight. They also serve as ambassadors for our mission, advocating for our work, building awareness, and helping to cultivate the relationships and resources that sustain and grow our impact.

We maintain strong financial stewardship and regularly evaluate our programs to ensure maximum impact in advancing our mission.

What we are looking for

We seek board members who share a passion for our mission and bring a blend of professional expertise, leadership experience, and a desire to contribute meaningfully to our strategic direction. We recognize that no single candidate will embody every quality listed—and that’s okay. Ideal board members offer diverse perspectives, strong communication skills, and a commitment to collaborative governance.

Qualified candidates…

• Have demonstrated leadership experience in your professional or volunteer work
• Possess expertise in areas relevant to our mission, such as astronomy, environmental science, lighting design, public policy, public relations, nonprofit management, or related fields
• Bring a global perspective and understanding of diverse cultural contexts
• Show strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrate commitment to collaborative decision-making and consensus-building
• Have experience with board governance, strategic planning, or organizational development
• Possess the ability to think strategically about complex, long-term challenges
• Show cultural competency and sensitivity to diverse viewpoints and approaches

Apply

We welcome applications from qualified candidates worldwide who are passionate about our mission and ready to contribute to our board’s leadership.

DarkSky accepts applications year-round to build a pipeline of prospective qualified board members. The governance committee meets approximately every two months to review submitted applications.

Before submitting your application, CV, and statement of interest, please review the full list of criteria, expectations, and duties outlined in the Call for volunteer leadership packet.