Program Director, Sustainable Agriculture Education – California

Organization: Sustainable Agriculture Education

Position Title: Program Director

Location: Berkeley, California

Application Deadline: Position open through January 31 or until filled.

Description: SAGE is seeking an experienced farming/food systems/agricultural-planning professional to lead programs, assist in running and growing the organization, and develop new opportunities. This is a new, full-time, mid-level position with exciting possibilities for advancement, career growth and skill development. The Program Director will be working closely as part of a team with Sibella Kraus, SAGE President, other SAGE staff and core SAGE consultants.

Responsibilities:

SAGE Program Responsibilities include (~2/3 time):

• Manage farming, education and outreach activities at the Sunol AgPark, working with SAGE staff including the AgPark Site & Education Manager, as well as with AgPark farmers, agency partners, consultants, contract educators and other stakeholders.

• Assist in developing and implementing pending/new AgParks and agricultural resource areas, primarily in the Bay Area, including outreach to landowners and local partners.

• Support our new Beginning Farmer and Rancher project, a three-year collaboration with UC Berkeley, Alameda County RCD, National Center for Appropriate Technology, and UC Cooperative Extension, by helping develop a collaborative farming toolkit.

• Help shape and implement strategies to continue developing and disseminating SAGE’s New

Ruralism framework through publishing, speaking and other opportunities.

• Support SAGE’s participation in regional agriculture and food system assessments and initiatives, including identification of strategic opportunities for SAGE to lead some of these efforts.

SAGE Team Responsibilities (~1/3 time):

• Help manage financial and operating systems and 2-3 office staff
• Help shape and support SAGE outreach and communication efforts
• Assist with fundraising and foundation/donor relations for both project and general support; identify and pursue additional earned-income opportunities

• Help implement SAGE’s strategic plan

Qualifications:

Looking for multi-faceted person to thrive in an environment where we wear a lot hats and collaborate with many partners as we plan and implement on-the-ground, impactful projects that help us realize our vision.

• Experience managing projects, collaborative partnerships, staff and/or volunteers: 10 years or equivalent.

• Expertise in many of the following sectors: organic/sustainable farming, regional food systems, environmental/smart growth movements, agricultural economics, beginning farmer/rancher training, agricultural land use planning, place-making, and public agro-ecology education: 10 years or equivalent.
• A strong and broad network with organizations, businesses, funders and individuals representing the sectors above.
• Outstanding organizational and management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects on different timelines on time and on budget.
  Excellent writing and speaking skills.

• Demonstrated experience in developing successful grants, contracts and fundraising efforts.
• Strong communication, teamwork and interpersonal skills. SAGE works in close collaboration with many partners: other nonprofit groups, private individuals such as landowners and farmers, businesses such as planning firms, and government partners.

• Ability to work independently and take initiative/ownership of programs; as part of a team, contributing to a positive workplace culture, and as a supervisor.
• Patience, persistence and perspective: SAGE works in many long-range planning processes that can take time to bear fruit.
• Dedication to building an organization. SAGE is seeking to build long-term organizational sustainability through this hire.

• Minimum B.A/B.S. in relevant field. Graduate degrees welcome.

How to Apply: Please send your resume, a writing sample and a cover letter describing your interest and relevant experience to [email protected]. Position open through January 31 or until filled.