Sr Program Associate - ECWL

Full Time, Non-Exempt

Reports To: Senior Program Manager, Equity and Conservation on Working Lands 

Supervisory: Non-applicable

Primary Office: Remote within Central Coast, and/or option for use of Aptos office

Salary: $60,000 - $80,000 commensurate with experience

JOB SUMMARY: Join California FarmLink’s Equity and Conservation on Working Lands (ECWL) team to support the prosperity of California farmers and ranchers, ensure equitable access to economic opportunity, and support environmental stewardship and vibrant local food systems. This position plays a key role in supporting FarmLink’s land access and conservation activities for our Spanish language clients

The Senior Associate is a critical member of FarmLink’s Land and Business Department, consisting of land tenure experts, farm business educators, and technical assistance providers. The Senior Associate will manage relationships with farmers by administering FarmLink’s Land Portal and facilitating land tenure technical assistance tailored to farmer needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist Spanish speaking farmers with negotiating and developing secure agreements, and finding land for lease or sale. Facilitate process to resolve contract related issues that arise between parties.
• Assist the Senior Program Manager in developing relationships with RCDs to build out a joint conservation education and lending program.
• Field client inquiries to assess technical assistance needs, program eligibility, and suitability of land opportunities. Provide clients with information on accessing land, land leasing, land purchasing/sales, alternative land tenure options and relevant referrals or resources. Assist Spanish speaking landseekers, landholders, and farm businesses with online form submission and profile creation. 
• Create and update resources that will support farmers and landholders in the process of seeking and leasing land, purchasing or selling land or businesses, and succession planning. Support with English and Spanish maintenance and translations of educational resources.
• Establish and deepen relationships with landholding institutions (i.e. regional land trusts) and support landholder outreach and education efforts to increase FarmLink’s capacity to offer quality land opportunities. 
• Outreach to Latino farmers to educate and support in accessing land and secure tenure and adopting conservation farming practices including pursuing cost share awards and organic certification.
• Occasional travel required to support land linking, lease negotiations and to represent FarmLink at community building events and conferences.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to fluently communicate the written and spoken word with tact, simplicity, and accuracy  in English and Spanish.
• Minimum AS or AA with at least five years relevant work experience or a Bachelors in agriculture, community development, soil science, agronomy, environmental studies or other related field, or the equivalent combination of education and work experience.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of real estate and/or land-use issues and agricultural business models particularly for fresh produce and berry operations in the Salinas Valley.
• Familiarity with federal and state agricultural programs, contract negotiation and conflict mediation, agricultural/small business lending, conservation strategies and emerging issues.
• Knowledge of soil types, growing conditions, California cropping systems, integrated pest management, climate-smart agricultural practice.
• Knowledge and experience using MS Word, Excel and Google Suite tools. Knowledge and experience using CRM software (i.e. Salesforce).
• Flexible, creative, and interested in finding new problems, innovating new solutions and demonstrating collaborative leadership to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work under pressure of many priorities and deadlines and to manage short term and long term projects simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, comfortable working with people of varied cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent organizational skills, well disciplined, able to meet deadlines, self-starter.

California FarmLink offers a generous benefits plan, including health insurance after 30-60 days (depending on start date), employer contribution to 403b retirement plan, paid vacation, and a family-friendly and flexible work environment. California FarmLink maintains a drug-free workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.  We seek candidates that represent the diversity of the communities we serve, and strongly encourage you to apply.

How To Apply

Please use subject line “ECWL Senior Associate” to email a thoughtful cover letter explaining your interest in the position and organization with resume to: humanresources@cafarmlink[dot]org. No phone calls please. Posted March 15, 2023; applications accepted until May 1, 2023 with an anticipated start date of June 1, 2023.

Who We Are

The mission of California FarmLink is to invest in the prosperity of farmers and ranchers through lending, education, and access to land. We value equitable access to opportunity, resilient working landscapes, fairness and accountability, and learning from diverse farmers and ranchers. For more info, and to learn about FarmLink’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: https://www.californiafarmlink.org/dei-principles/