NOFA/Massachusetts Job Openings

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Currently 3 job openings:

• Executive Director
• Gardening the Community, Youth Program and Farm Coordinator
• Southeastern Regional Coordinator Mass Outreach

A cover letter is always important with this application. We are looking for self-starting, highly motivated folks to work for us in our decentralized organization.

All NOFA/Mass jobs call for a philosophical dedication to the organization's principles that is over and above the modest financial remuneration that we offer. What folks who NOFA/Mass get for their investment with us is a supportive work environment with highly motivated people that allows for and encourages self-motivation and in large part being your own boss.

Executive Director

NOFA/Mass is looking for a new Executive Director. Julie Rawson, in the main staff leadership role for almost 25 years, will be leaving as of January 2010. At this time the Board is looking for someone who has other interests, hopefully active farming or something central to NOFA's mission, as a part of the talents they will bring to the job. Presently the job is 25 hours per week, but it could be a 25-35 hour per week. .Presently the pay is $21/hour with no benefits. The new person could be paid between $15 - $20/hour depending on experience. The office is presently in the home of the ED. This is not a qualification for the job, but a possibility. Regardless, the office will be moving from Barre.

We are looking for someone who is well grounded in organic agriculture, who is good with and enjoys people (20 staff and 11 board members, 1000 members), who is decisive and inclusive and collaborative, and who is a visionary with strong practicality skills. This person must be alternately a motivator and an enforcer when necessary. This person must have strong fiscal skills ($775,000 budget) and must be able to keep a working knowledge of all NOFA programs. This person must be fair minded and be of high integrity - and hopefully have a well developed sense of humor, and of course humility.

There is no deadline for application at this juncture. Send resumes to Julie Rawson at julie@nofamass.org; 411 Sheldon Road, Barre, MA 01005. A handful of members of the NOFA board and staff will sort through the resumes and interview as is appropriate. The new person will overlap with Julie for a number of months (to be determined) to provide a smooth transition. Feel free to call Julie at (978) 355-2853 to talk.

Executive Director Job Description

The Executive Director holds the singular organizational position that is primarily responsible to carry out the strategic plans and policies as established by the Board of Directors. The executive director is the main interface for and between NOFA/Mass and the outside world, the Board of Directors and the staff members. Duties

1. Legal - Oversee the preparation of job descriptions and contracts when appropriate for all paid personnel, and the filing of timely 1099 and W2 reports with the IRS for compensation paid, preparation and filing of the organization's form 990 with the IRS, PC with state Attorney General, monitor and maintain our standing as a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization and a non-profit Massachusetts corporation. Maintain a non-profit bulk mail account and coordinate the processing of the newsletter and other appropriate organizational mailings through the account.
2. Board Work - Advise the board. Formulate policies and planning recommendations to the board. Make recommendations for and support during orientation and self-evaluation. Help board solicit new board members. Work with president and vice president to organize each board meeting, assist the functioning of standing and other board committees. Prepare an executive director's report for the newsletter and for each board meeting. Support evaluation of the executive director.
3. Annual Meeting - Work with board to plan the annual meeting to include election of board members, program review and other organizational activities.
4. Financial - Keep accurate books, pay bills, make deposits, oversee the preparation of the financial records; work with board to prepare organizational budget, monitor budget and the overall financial situation.
5. Staff 'work - Manage the hiring, evaluation, and firing of staff for NOFA/Mass. Oversee activities of NOFA/Mass employees and consultants, work with staff to create and actualize a work plan, budgets, volunteers, plan strategies and troubleshoot problems. Conduct Staff meetings.
6. Fundraising - Oversee fundraising efforts, including grants (public and private), member appeals, individual donor fundraising, and grass-roots activities such as educational programs and fundraising dinners.
7. Policy - Oversee the policy work of the organization including sign-ons, co-sponsorships, endorsements, etc.
8. Public Relations - Oversee the explanation of the work of the organization on the phone and in correspondence to the press and other interested organizations. Oversee the maintenance of a press file and adequate copies of organizational literature to keep our work before the public.
9. Networking - Stay in touch with other NOFA chapters, similar organizations, and appropriate governmental organizations including newsletter swaps and keep organization aware of innovative ideas or important work being done elsewhere.
10. Email, mail, and phone inquiries - Handle the daily mail and phone calls to the organization in a timely fashion, either answering people's needs or referring them to the appropriate person.
11. Physical - Manage physical resources (office space, land, etc.) and oversee upkeep and purchase of organization's office equipment.
12. Annual Retreat - Work with board and staff to plan an annual organizational retreat that sets the tone and work plan for the upcoming year.

Gardening the Community, Youth Program and Farm Coordinator

The Gardening the Community Youth Program and Farm Coordinator is responsible for running a productive and friendly farm program in Springfield, MA.

Duties would include:
1. Managing 5 city agricultural plots to grow organic fruits, vegetables, and flowers - including soil building, planting, harvesting, and mulching land for the winter.
2. Overseeing GTC program participation in 3 farmers markets during July - September, including marketing and publicity for vegetable sales.
3. Initiating capital improvement projects on land parcels to increase beauty and effectiveness.
4. Recruiting 15 youth for participation in program and working with 5 Junior Staff workers to plan season and fully integrate crew members into the majority of farm work for three seasons.
5. Working with community and city partners to increase land base for youth and community gardeners.
6. Leading adult and college volunteer groups on the land in spring and fall.
7. Transporting vegetables by bicycle and trailer to farmers' markets in Springfield.

Qualifications:
1. Experience with growing organic food on a small scale without use of power tools.
2. Ability to relate to, manage and empower young people and lead them in group tasks.
3. Openness to working in a diverse community and a proven capability in building positive community relationships.
4. Excellent verbal, written, and communication skills.
5. Residence in Springfield, MA.
6. Adherence to NOFA/Mass employee guidelines (NOFA/Mass membership and attendance at yearly staff meetings and retreat).

20 hours/week @$11 per hour February - October (with potential year round employment for the right fit). To apply send a letter of interest, resume and three references to Kristin Brennan @ gtc@nofamass.org or Gardening the Community, 127 Marlborough Street, Springfield, MA 01109. If you have questions, please call the Gardening the Community's voicemail at 413-538-5822. We'll get right back to you!

Southeastern Regional Coordinator

Southeastern Regional Coordinator Staff Person will spread the word about NOFA/MASS at public events in Southeastern and Central Massachusetts. The position is under the general supervision of the Outreach Coordinator and with the Eastern Regional Coordinator, however, much of the job is flexible and self-motivated.

Duties would include:
* Identify public occasions appropriate for spreading the NOFA/MASS message
* Represent NOFA/Mass, or find member volunteers willing to represent us at such occasions
* Maintain a supply of literature and display materials for distribution at such events
* Maintain sale items and be responsible for any related income from sales
* Work with the Coordinator to develop goals and objectives, annual budget and to enlist and train volunteers
* Identify public places at which to distribute NOFA literature and coordinate delivery to such places
* Provide regular reports on this work to the Coordinator
* Attend one major NOFA event each year

Qualifications:
* Outgoing, friendly personality
* Enjoy public speaking
* Knowledgeable about NOFA/MASS and its programs
* Able to work on weekends and evenings when required
* Organized
* NOFA/MASS membership

180 hours @$11 per hour or a total of $2,000 per year plus expenses. To apply send a letter of interest, resume and three references to Sharon Gensler @ wildbrowse@yahoo.com or NOFA/MASS Outreach, Sharon Gensler 87 Bullard Pasture Rd. Wendell, Ma 01379. If you have questions please call Sharon Gensler 978-544-6347- before 9pm

This page was last modified on December 29, 2008 at 8:54:08 AM. Translate this page