Executive Director

The Ecological Farming Association (EFA) seeks an experienced and dedicated executive director to lead our organization in its next phase of growth and development. We specifically seek an enthusiastic, outgoing, and visionary individual skilled in strategic planning, fundraising, organizational development, financial management, and building partnerships. We are looking for a leader who will be a prominent spokesperson for the organization and the movement. The ideal candidate will have a sincere commitment to ecological agriculture and food systems.

EFA is a 27 year-old non-profit corporation based in Watsonville, California, dedicated to educating and informing farmers, policymakers and the public about economically viable practices of ecological agriculture. EFA has a rich history of presenting educational events that address the needs of farmers and agricultural industry while promoting a safe, healthy, and socially just food system.

Since EFA programs reach a broad and diverse audience, we have recently expanded our capacities to include media outreach and increased involvement in policy work with the purpose of linking these audiences with opportunities to influence change. The organization plans to write our next 5-year strategic plan by the end of 2007 that will reflect this desire to impact the dialogue around food and farming issues.

Responsibilities

The Executive Director supervises the direction and day-to-day operations of a year-round staff of four and a seasonal staff of ten. The executive director will have primary responsibility for:

Vision and Planning
Leads EFA in working under a shared vision and mission with long-term strategic goals and long-range and annual plans in place to achieve them

Fundraising
Ensures financial stability and growth through leading the board and staff in the creation of a diversified fundraising plan sufficient to achieve strategic planning goals and objectives

Program Direction
Oversees program work, ensuring that it is developed, funded, and carried out successfully

Financial Management
Creates and monitors a comprehensive organizational budget, internal controls, and financial system

Staff Management
Hires and manages staff in pursuit of strategic planning targets and provides positive, clear, and supportive supervision, compliant with personnel policy, employment law and regulations

Supports the Board of Directors
Supports the board in its work and implements board policies and decisions

Movement Building
Knowledgeably represents the organization and its programs to the public and maintains and fosters relationships with other public and nonprofit agencies, businesses and individuals 

Qualifications

• Degree in agriculture or related field or equivalent experience 
• At least 5 years of executive management and supervisory experience 
• Proven fundraising and development skills in a non-profit setting 
• Effective writing, speaking and public relations abilities 
• Effective and positive interpersonal and staff management skills 
• Experience with financial management systems and oversight 
• Commitment to sustainable agriculture and food systems 
• Knowledge of and experience in social justice issues a plus 
• Knowledge of and experience in policy advocacy a plus

Job Details

• Full-time, 40 hour per week position 
• Salary range commensurate with qualifications and experience 
• Paid vacation and sick leave 
• Health and dental benefits 
• Location: EFA Watsonville, California office 
• Frequent travel, mostly within California

To Apply

A full job description can be found on the website. Please email a resume, cover letter and three references. No telephone calls, please.