Company description

California FarmLink offers unique programs designed to help farmers, ranchers, and fishers who have historically been denied equal access to land, capital, and education. Participation in our programs and services is guided by a client journey to ensure effective support focused on business resilience.

Job description

Department: Equity and Conservation on Working Lands (ECWL)

Reports To:  Sr. Program Manager

Supervisory: No

Status:  Full-Time

Class:   Hourly, Non-Exempt

Hiring Salary Range: $65,000 - $80,000

Job Location: Remote - San Diego County

Position  Summary
The Senior Associate is a critical member of FarmLink’s ECWL, part of the Land and Business Department (LAB), which includes land tenure experts, farm business educators, and technical assistance providers. This role will report and work closely with ECWL’s Sr. Program Manager and Program Manager to support FarmLink’s Land Access Program,  Land Portal, and community outreach tailored to the needs of agricultural producers in Southern California. The Senior Associate will be the first FarmLink staff member dedicated to the Southern California region, enabling access to our services and programs and those of our partners.

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Community Outreach

• Establish FarmLink presence in Southern California, San Diego County in particular, cultivating relationships with farmers, farmer-serving orgs, and institutions, to increase access to resources and services related to land access, lending, business education, succession, and other programs.

Landholder Education and Recruitment

• Support landholder education and recruitment efforts to expand FarmLink's pool of quality land opportunities shared through the Land Portal, a user-generated platform connecting landseekers and landholders. 

Program Development

• Pilot a cohort-model land access program that couples group education, field tours, and individual linking support in the San Diego region.
• Conduct outreach to farmers and ranchers to provide education and support in accessing land and securing tenure.

Client Intake

• Management of the Land Portal intake and client navigation processes, including:
  • Technical troubleshooting.
  • Assessing technical assistance needs and program eligibility.
  • Connecting clients with internal programs/services and external service providers and partners.
  • Supporting the development of new and improved program assets and strategies for increased access and efficacy for clients.
  • Providing additional support as needed to assist Spanish speaking landseekers, landholders, and farm businesses with online form submission,  profile and/or land listing creation, and navigation of services. 

Cross-Program Coordination

• Work with the LAB, Lending, and other relevant departments to support cross-program initiatives that integrate FarmLink’s ecosystem of products and services.

Resource Development and Maintenance

• Support with maintenance and development of program assets related to ECWL services in English and Spanish to support client learning and access to programs. 

Public Representation

• Represent FarmLink at local, state, and national workshops, events, and conferences through workshop participation and coordination, logistics planning, and communication with partners. 

Requirements

Required

• Ability to fluently communicate the written and spoken word with tact, simplicity, and accuracy in English and Spanish.
• Ability to develop and maintain rapport with members of FarmLink’s community while demonstrating respect and confidentiality.
• Strong proficiency in Google Suite, and CRM software (i.e., Salesforce), and other software is a plus.
• Highly organized, with ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities.
• Strong multitasking, prioritization, and deadline management skills, even when handling interruptions.
• Excellent customer service skills, with the ability to be both empathetic and firm in communications.
  Enthusiasm for working collaboratively in a team environment, with the ability to work independently.
• Ability to travel to and attend occasional in-person classes, conferences, and meetings in Southern California (and occasionally throughout the state and country). A personal car is preferred. California FarmLink will reimburse you for mileage and expenses based on federal travel and per diem rates.

Physical Requirements

• Reside in San Diego County.
• Frequent sitting, keyboarding, standing, and walking.
• Work may require extended time on the telephone or conducting one-on-one or small group meetings.
• Occasional presentations to large groups (20+) may be required.

Highly Desirable 

• AA or a Bachelor's degree in business, agriculture, community development, education, environmental studies, agronomy, or other related field, or the equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Experience with agriculture, knowledge of Community Development Financial Institutions or Farm Credit, agricultural business, and the economic and political drivers of the agricultural economy.

Who We Are:

https://www.californiafarmlink.org/
 

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

If you are not registered, you'll be prompted to do so. Don't worry, it's free!

Deadline

no deadline