Full job post here: https://www.cloudmountainfarmcenter.org/connect/employment/

Organization: Sustainable Connections
Title: Farm Director
Location: Cloud Mountain Farm Center, Everson, WA
Term: 100% full-time, introductory employee (90 day period before becoming regular employee), exempt
Reports to: Executive Director
Application Deadline: Application review begins 12/2/2019, position open until filled
Desired start date: January 2020 (some flexibility available)

Summary
Join our great team at Cloud Mountain Farm Center, a working farm since 1978, nestled against the beautiful Cascade foothills in rural Whatcom County. We grow a wide variety of vegetables, tree fruits as well as some berries and wine and table grapes. In 2011 we became a nonprofit with a mission to build experience, knowledge and community, in order to expand dynamic local food systems. We are dedicated to providing hands-on learning opportunities to new and experienced farmers as well as home gardeners, as Cloud Mountain Farm Center is an integral part of the Food & Farming program at Sustainable Connections.

We are looking for a dynamic leader who is passionate about farming, providing training and technical assistance to other farmers, and the sustainability of diversified agriculture in Northwestern Washington. The Farm Director will be responsible for setting and managing a yearly budget for CMFC operations, providing training technical assistance to development and fundraising work on behalf of CMFC, and support and stewardship of a highly motivated staff engaged in bettering the regional food system.

Working Relationships
The Farm Director reports to the Executive Director and works independently and alongside CMFC staff, with mission-aligned research organizations and regional training and economic development organizations with an agricultural focus. Work is reviewed in terms of achievement of goals and objectives through a semiannual Growth & Development review process done with the Executive Director.

The Farm Director directly oversees seven (7) staff managers, coordinators and senior advisors but is ultimately responsible for a team of approximately fourteen (14) and a seasonal staff of up to eight (8).

Working Conditions
The Farm Director will be provided an office in the main farm building. The Farm Director is expected to work both on-site with staff as well as off-site, conducting Sustainable Connections and CMFC business throughout Whatcom and Skagit Counties. The Farm Director will need to be prepared for occasional evening and weekend work and occasional long hours. The successful candidate will be expected to budget, schedule, and track work time accordingly to achieve an appropriate work-life balance.

Minimum Skills & Qualifications:
-15+ years of farming experience, including 10+ years in management or supervisory roles
-Experience with business development and organizational management should include supporting teams of diverse skills, personalities and job types; revenue generation; and operational management skills including working with land and facilities
-Possess knowledge and passion for food systems and agricultural sustainability; familiarity with rural agricultural environments is an asset
-Demonstrated collaborative leadership and management skills supporting a dynamic and creative team including managing staff by establishing standards and goals, evaluating performance, providing feedback, and taking corrective action as needed
-Ability to develop and implement strategic business plans; ability to effectively generate business opportunities
-Ability to conduct needs analyses and to plan, organize, manage, monitor, complete, and evaluate projects within allocated time and resources
-Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities while working under pressure to meet deadlines
-Proven financial management skills; able to develop and monitor budgets, perform financial planning functions, and manage complex financial matters
-Sound financial management in both grant-funded and for-profit enterprises would be preferred
-Knowledge of effective grant and project application methods and/or proposals and reports
-Ability to see the long-range potential of CMFC without losing sight of day-to-day activities and to be comfortable with ambiguity while systems, programs, and projects are established and developed
-Ability to develop and deliver effective presentations to stakeholders
-Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
-Ability to exercise tact and discretion

Primary Responsibilities:
Organizational Management
-Provide leadership to teams of staff, interns, and incubator farmers to meet CMFC goals
-Set tone for overall work culture and motivate employees
-Identify and create initiatives to maintain positive morale and improve employee development and retention
-Implement effective performance management, including work plan reviews, metrics of success and goal setting, as well as recruitment, hiring, and evaluation
-Oversee day-to-day CMFC operations, ensuring compliance with administrative systems, processes, protocols and safety as well as the development and implementation of new policies to support efficiency and effectiveness
-Initiate and steward capital projects in collaboration with the E.D., Facilities & Equipment Manager and other key staff

Strategic Planning
-Work with the Executive Director and Food & Farming team to draft strategic plans that the Board of Directors, staff and key partners collectively implement

Financial Management
-Responsible for overall financial management of CMFC – effective stewardship of a ~$1 million annual operating budget; developing, monitoring and controlling annual balanced budgets
-Improve business models for Nursery, Perennial and Annual production to generate ongoing project and program funding
-Develop and implement short-, mid- and long-range business plans to meet CMFC’s mission

Ambassadorial
-Initiate, cultivate, and maintain regional partnerships
-Represent Sustainable Connections and CMFC at meetings and other public settings as appropriate
-Engage in Sustainable Connections and CMFC’s culture of education – both internally and externally

Development
-Work with the Development Director on grant applications and regional collaborations in support of funding for CMFC programs
-Work with the E.D. and other key staff on business development and supporting operations to identify and implement new enterprises that can help further our educational goals and provide cost recovery opportunities.

Compensation:
This is a 100% time, exempt position, with an annual salary range of $53,000 to $63,000, depending on qualifications and experience. Starting benefits include paid time off accrual of 5.33 hours per pay period or 16 days per year, 6 days of holiday break from Dec. 25 – Jan 1, a 3% match SIMPLE IRA non-designated retirement plan, and an individual monthly benefit.

To apply:
Email a cover letter and resume with three professional references to maryt@sustainableconnections.org.

Sustainable Connections complies with all federal, state, and local laws which prohibit discrimination in employment. Sustainable Connections is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce.

Sustainable Connections is an equal opportunity employer that believes it is the responsibility of the company and all its employees to ensure there is no discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, genetic information, or any other protected status.