Opportunities at Rockland Farm Alliance
Executive Director
Rockland Farm Alliance seeks a highly skilled and strategic manager to serve as Executive Director of this growing non-profit organization committed to facilitating local sustainable agriculture in Rockland County by creating farms that serve as models of small-scale food production with educational facilities dedicated to the development and teaching of sustainable farming practices to people of all ages.
The Executive Director should be a strategic leader who can work effectively at the intersections of farmers, local food entrepreneurs and activists, RFA and CSA members, land conservationists and environmentalists, government employees, politicians and the Board of Directors to bring consensus and the vision of the Board to fruition. An ideal candidate will serve as a voice for farmers and local farm supporters in Rockland County, NY and will help to strengthen and grow our young membership organization as we develop quality educational and professional development opportunities for farmers of all levels.
Strong candidates will bring exceptional people and organizational management skills, a proven track record of raising funds, and a belief in the need to establish a local food shed in Rockland County through the preservation and expansion of local agriculture.
CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include oversight of daily operations of Rockland Farm Alliance and Cropsey Community Farm as well as other related agricultural projects. The Executive Director will lead the work to develop and implement policies, annual goals and objectives established in cooperation with staff and the Board of Directors, as well as the financial, program, and administrative management of the organization.
The Executive Director will be responsible for the following areas:
Organizational leadership and growth:
- In partnership with the president, responsible for overall leadership in the development and implementation of short and long range plans and policies and other activities.
- Administrative operations of RFA, including: reviewing and evaluating the results of program activities, ensuring that contractual obligations are being fulfilled; allocating resources to maximize program effectiveness and efficiency; developing organizational and administrative policies and program objectives in cooperation with the Board.
- Responsible, along with the Treasurer, for financial management of the organization, including the development and implementation of the annual budget.
- Responsible for the development, implementation and accomplishments of the annual work plan of the organization in cooperation with the Board of Directors.
Fundraising and External Relations:
- Responsible for overseeing all fundraising and development activity, and ensuring annual financial goals are met.
- Responsible for overseeing the writing, securing and administration of grant funding for the organization.
- Effectively communicate and represent Rockland Farm Alliance with other organizations and agencies, such as the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Land Conservation Departments, farm organizations, educational institutions, governmental groups and other non-profits.
Board of Directors:
- Responsible for providing information, advice and counsel to the Board of Directors in the creation of policies, programs, and strategic direction of Rockland Farm Alliance.
- Work with Board to coordinate activities associated with the Board of Directors including identification and enlistment.
- Work with the Board President to develop meeting schedules, agendas and materials.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Responsible for supervision of staff to carry out duties as needed. Responsibilities to be carried out in cooperation with the board include interviewing, recommendation for hiring and training employees, planning, assigning and directing of work, appraising performance, addressing complaints and resolving problems.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE:
- An ideal candidate will have at least a Bachelors degree and at least four years of relevant experience. A Master’s degree in non-profit management or related field with at least two years of relevant experience is strongly preferred. Knowledge of farming and/or the local food movement and the passion to educate and promote it to others is highly desirable.
- Proven track record of fundraising success with both public and private funds.
- Strong operational and financial management skills, including experience building and implementing organizational structures and systems that result in clear processes and results.
- Experience using relevant computer programs including the Microsoft Office Suite or ability to quickly learn these skills.
DESIRED SKILLS:
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, internet information sources, financial reports, legal documents, technical procedures, or governmental regulations; write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
- Knowledge of the principles and techniques of grant administration, contract administration, fiscal and organizational management. Ability to plan, direct and coordinate activities, negotiate and administer contracts. Work with diverse groups of people.
- Efficiently respond to questions from membership, staff and members of the community.
- Effectively present information to membership, public groups, decision makers, elected representatives and board of directors.
TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS: The Director needs to be a creative thinker, educator, and motivator. S/He will be an open-minded, confident professional who enjoys planning and carrying out educational and professional development opportunities for small-scale sustainable agriculture in Rockland County. The Executive Director will be an enabler and facilitator who will have the strength of character and conviction to work with a strong, engaged Board that is dedicated to the mission of RFA.
The successful candidate will have the ability to work with very little supervision, keep all activities on schedule, keep Board members well informed of progress and activities as well as present clear reports and budgets.
Strong written and oral communication skills are critical to insure that the Executive Director will be effective and persuasive in presenting RFA and its mission to its partners and various government agencies and the public.
TRAVEL: The Executive Director must be able to travel periodically, to attend conferences, training, meetings, tradeshows and other events as required. Access to a vehicle is necessary along with a driver's license in good standing; travel will be reimbursed.
HOURS, SALARY and WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment is flexible; location can be at home or at RFA’s office space, or both. Flexible work hours are allowed. Salary is commensurate with experience, and will be based on the projected annual budget developed in coordination with the Board of Directors. The Executive Director will work with the Board to build the Director position toward appropriate compensation.
APPLICATION: Complete resumes, including work experience, education, training and references, may be submitted electronically to info@rocklandfarm.org or via regular mail to Rockland Farm Alliance, 220 S. Little Tor Rd., New City, NY 10956, ATT: ED POSITION.