Education Director – Rochester, NY

Organization: The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY)

Job Title: Education Director

Location: Rochester, NY

Hours and Compensation: This position is a full-time exempt-status position.  Compensation includes a competitive salary, dependent on experience ranging from $36,000 to $40,000. We offer a full benefits package that includes employer-paid medical insurance, 50% paid dental insurance, life insurance, and a 403(b) retirement plan ($5,000+ value).  Vacation, personal, and compensatory time policies are generous.

Position Dates: Start ASAP

Application Deadline: Rolling submission, but early submission is recommended. Send in ASAP

Posted On: July 19th, 2012

Organization Overview

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY) is the oldest and largest organization in New York devoted to organic and sustainable farming and gardening, and counts over 500 farms among its 1700 members of farmers, gardeners, and eaters.

Description

We are seeking an Education Director to work with the Executive Director and Education Team to lead the organization’s farmer, gardener, and small business educational initiatives, including the Winter Conference, Organic Dairy & Field Crop Conference, on-farm field day series, intensive workshops, and general technical assistance.

The position requires a motivated and positive individual who has a background in and/or experience in organic farming, event planning experience, and staff management. The person must be passionate and knowledgeable about organic farming and gardening and have excellent organizational skills. The Education Director is based in NOFA-NY’s Rochester office. This individual directly manages the Education Team, which consists of four employees and must have excellent management skills.   This position reports to the Executive Director and participates in management planning for the organization.

Responsibilities

• In coordination with the Executive Director, Education Team, and education committee, sets annual education goals, develops strategies, and coordinates initiatives to meet these objectives.
• Creates overall vision of NOFA-NY’s educational programming (from member input) and creates long-term plan for implementation and funding.
• Supervises Education Team staff (4), hires and trains education staff and ensures individual performance goals are met.
• Manages education grant administration (writing, reporting, managing deliverables, etc.)
• Coordinates Education Committee (volunteer & board committee that provides guidance for NOFA-NY’s education programs)
• Leads bi-weekly education team meetings.
• Event Planning:  coordinates all details for the annual NOFA-NY winter conference for 1,300+ attendees. Works with the Education Team to organize over 80 workshops covering 10-12 interest tracks, creates and manages the conference budget, solicits and manages conference sponsors and advertisers. Oversees conference publicity, coordination of conference meals, coordination of the trade show, coordination of the silent auction, and coordination of volunteers. Manages and trains conference staff.
• Works with the Education Team to coordinate all details for the NOFA-NY field day series, including over 30 diverse field days in all regions of NYS. Also responsible for expanding the series to be year-round.  Coordinates staff, regional representatives, and volunteers to help staff field days and manages event publicity and evaluation.
• Oversees coordination and goals of annual Organic Dairy & Field Crop Conference.
• Oversees coordination of NOFA-NY Beginning Farmer Programs.
• Oversees all aspects of NOFA-NY’s Technical Assistance programs. Provides some technical assistance to farmers and gardeners through phone and email.
• Manages farm-based education outreach to public.  Helps coordinate volunteers to support outreach efforts including NY Farm Show, Empire Farm Days, NYS Fruit & Veg Expo, etc.
• Works with Operations and Development staff to publicize educational events.
• Occasional public speaking.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required.  Master’s degree preferred.  Strongly prefer degree in sustainable agriculture or a related field.
• Knowledge: Knowledge of diverse organic and sustainable agriculture and the educational needs of farmers and gardeners. Familiarity of organic and sustainable farming in New York State preferred.
• Experience: Staff management, organic farming, event planning, grant writing and management. Experience working with diverse committees preferred.
• Skills: Excellent written and oral communication skills; strong interpersonal, supervisory, planning, and training skills; excellent organizational skills; strong computer skills required; familiarity with database programs helpful, graphic design interest helpful, Spanish language skills helpful.
• Capabilities: High energy and enthusiasm. Ability to work well with a wide range of people, work well under pressure, handle multiple tasks at once, and adapt to changing situations on a daily basis. Able to motivate a team and generate enthusiasm for the goals and objectives of the organization.
• Conditions: Strong interest in and commitment to promoting the goals of NOFA-NY.  Frequent statewide and occasional out-of-state travel required.

How to Apply