OEFFA Seeks Begin Farming and Land Access Educator
Position Title:
Position Summary
The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching two design studios and two research seminars per year that offer perspective on critical projects and precedents in landscape history, historical inequities in design and planning, design and justice in communities, and/or other related subject areas.
The Begin Farming and Land Access Educator position is responsible for providing support, through formal educational activities and one-on-one technical assistance to beginning farmers so that they can establish and operate viable farming enterprises. The successful candidate will give attention to the issue of land access as a key challenge for beginning farmers and work, in particular, to address land access for BIPOC farmers. This is a full-time position based in OEFFA’s Columbus office, but hybrid telework arrangements will be considered for exceptional candidates. The starting salary is $46,000 per year. Benefits include health insurance and paid time off.
Essential Functions
• Plan and facilitate workshops to provide education and skill-building in production and business management for beginning farmers
• Provide direct technical support to beginning farmers on production, marketing, business management, land access, and other issues
• Produce materials for promoting beginning farmer educational opportunities
• Contribute to the development of resources that speak to the unique needs of BIPOC farmers
• Work with key stakeholders to assess the feasibility of establishing an equitable system of land transfer in Ohio
• Plan and facilitate workshops to support accessing land and increasing farmer viability
• Oversee and help carry out efforts to connect landowners with aspiring and current farmers seeking farmland
• Independently, or in collaboration with other staff, address various logistical needs and issues related to begin farming program workshops and other events • Collaborate in writing grant proposals and reports
• Represent OEFFA at events and meetings
• Provide excellent customer service and assistance to our members and constituents by ensuring information and assistance needs are met, and all communications work is handled in a professional manner
Non-Essential Functions
• Answer general phone lines and provide other general office support
• Help grow OEFFA’s membership
• Contribute to general fundraising event work
QUALIFICATION Requirements
• Knowledge and/or relevant experience related to farmland access
• Experience in organic or sustainable crop, livestock, and/or horticultural production
• Knowledgeable about organic and sustainable farming practices, family farm business, and financial management
• Experience in developing and implementing educational events and materials for farmers
• Ability to plan, manage, and execute work including using spreadsheets and databases for tracking and analyzing information
• Ability to be flexible in scheduling work
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks at the same time
• Passion about sustainable agriculture and organic agriculture, family farms, and rural places
• Commitment to performing work with a high degree of accountability and consistent excellence with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work independently
• Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences, environmental education, agriculture, or related area is preferred
Apply
The position is opened until filled. Interested candidates are advised to apply by January 22 to receive full consideration, although the position will stay open until filled. (If this posting is removed from the OEFFA website, we are no longer accepting applications.)
Your application should be addressed to Sasha Sigetic, Program Director, and consists of these items: a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references (indicate relationship to you). In your cover letter please address how your experience and background meet the requirements of the position. Please combine these as a single PDF file and submit via email to Jobs@oeffa.org and for the subject line use “Begin Farming and Land Access Educator.”
We seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool, and all employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and organizational need. In the same way that biological diversity is foundational to the healthy agricultural systems we support, we recognize that diversity of people makes OEFFA healthier and more sustainable. As part of the application, we invite candidates to describe how their life experiences enrich the diversity of our organization.