Certification Coordinator

THE OPPORTUNITY: 

Get involved with a cutting edge entrepreneurial organization! If you are pursuing a career in sustainable agriculture, this may be the opening for which you have been waiting. 

Protected Harvest is a non-profit organization that certifies farmer's adherence to region-specific and crop-specific standards, as adopted by the board of directors. It provides auditors to inspect farms and facilities. The auditors submit a file for each grower to the Protected Harvest Certification Director, who reviews each file and determines, according to established baseline criteria, whether certification is warranted. 

Through its certification services and eco-label, Protected Harvest intends to serve as a market-based stimulus to move a significant percentage of conventional agriculture along an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) continuum and encourage the widespread adoption of commercial-scale sustainable agriculture. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

The Certification Director will grow and manage the Certification Division and make critical decisions for Protected Harvest's future certification and auditing processes, fee structure and staffing. The Certification Director will coordinate with standards development collaborators, manage client certification, and supervise the start-up of an in-house auditing unit and/or manage independent contractors. 

Excellent business management skills are critical to this position. This position also requires good communication skills, as the Certification Director will be required to interact with collaborators and conduct some market development activities. 

The Certification Director will: 

* Establish departmental goals, evaluate program needs and certification fee structure, and develop budgets to accomplish desired results.
* Select, train, supervise, coach, encourage and evaluate staff and independent contractors.
* Plan, develop and execute a comprehensive program to provide clients with audits to determine and certify compliance to established standards.
* Direct the development and implementation of systems and procedures for applicant registration, administration and monitoring, auditing services, and certification, including the development of an internal database system for management of these programmatic functions.
* Review grower/handler audit reports and determine on a case-by-case basis, according to established baseline criteria, whether certification is warranted.
* Work closely with staff in researching, developing and marketing of new certification programs. Develop and execute fundraising plans to underwrite future certification programs and enhancements. 
* Work closely with staff to execute Protected Harvest's communications, marketing, and outreach objectives and to develop programs that express and promote the benefits provided to members by certification programs. 
* Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in eco-labeling, audit trails and certification (including ISO requirements), and sustainable agriculture.
* Perform other related duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS: 

* Minimum 3 years relevant experience in certification program development and/or business administration. 
* MS in agricultural sciences preferred.
* Solid understanding of financial statements and budgeting.
* Understanding of federal conservation programs a big plus.
* Personal computer skills, including extensive knowledge of Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
* Ability to communicate effectively by phone, in writing and through personal presentation.
* Must be a self-starter, and be able to work both independently and as part of a team.
* Travel is required.

SALARY: Salary commensurate with experience; this is a one-year position, to be renewable or made permanent based upon available funding.  

May work from home; flexible hours possible

TO APPLY: 

Please email or mail a cover letter, resume, and three references (including phone numbers) to the address or email below. Please do not phone with questions regarding the position or the hiring process. After April 17, 2007 you may email to ask if we are still accepting applications.  

Andrea Caroe
Protected Harvest
12260 Brassica Street
San Diego, CA 92129 

Protected Harvest is an Equal Opportunity Employer.