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This job expired on August 08, 2016

Farm Manager Pushing the Envelope Farm

  • Date Posted June 09, 2016
  • Location Geneva, IL
  • Category Agriculture / Education
  • Job type Full-Time
Company description Pushing the Envelope Farm is a community farm and education center in Illinois, which serves the greater Fox Valley and Chicagoland communities. We explore our Jewish connection to the land and offer opportunities in agricultural and environmental education. Our 14-acre site hosts organic farmers that grow anywhere from small plots to multiple acres of land. The gardens, laying hens, honey bees and ducks give visitors a chance to experience life on the farm.

Our Mission: We foster vibrant communal life by exploring Jewish agricultural traditions and contemporary ecological understanding. Through hands-on learning  based in ecological design, personal interaction with nature, and an exploration of Jewish thought, we inspire, build, and create a more sustainable future. PtEF is: A recipient of a grant a Breakthrough Fund from the Jewish United Federation of Metropolitan Chicago;  a member of UPSTART Cohort 9; associated with Hazon; a JOFEE Fellowship site for 2016-2017; a supporter of the Northern Illinois Food Bank and The Ark. Job description

Job Overview:

Plan and carry out activities related to managing Pushing the Envelope Farm. The Farm Manager will work with the Farm staff to devise and implement a plan for operation of the Farm. Programming on PtEF has a goal of being educational, motivating action and providing advocacy opportunities. PtEF draws on the population in the Fox Valley area in the western suburbs of Chicago and the Greater Chicago area to help bring a response to pressing social and environmental challenges through a “Jewish lens”. The Farm Manager must be able to work with environmental and educational programs.

The Farm Manager will create a framework for the field work and for programs. Duties may include:recruiting participants, planning and preparing for events, managing records of participation, managing staff and assisting with promotional activities that will support the organization growth and the development of PtEF.

Program Overview:

Our programs will focus on ecological topics such as food justice, food security, and healthy eating as well as Jewish values, text study, and connections to tradition and culture. The goal is for participants to strengthen their sense of environmental stewardship. The farm is a perfect backdrop to teach about Judaism in a new way – one where people can learn about the agricultural roots of Jewish holidays, our responsibilities to animals and an awareness of where their food comes from. For participants, we want to give them strong relationships with important issues about which Judaism has something relevant to say regarding their relationship with the earth.

Our Farm serves as a cornerstone for programming, anchoring our outreach by providing projects that are rooted in the Jewish tradition of helping the poor and the needy. We know that our ancestors left the corners of their fields for those in need. Our participants learn with their minds and bodies, not only the issues of food insecurity, but how to help alleviate some of those needs. In each of our projects Jewish text material will be provided to support the projects.

Key responsibilities and accountabilities:

  1. Develop and implement a farm site management plan.

  2. Take a lead on the recruitment and retention of volunteers.

  3. Maintain and enhance an electronic record of participation and volunteer database.

  4. Make all necessary preparation for Events and Activities.

  5. Monitor and report on activities and provide relevant information to President of the Farm Board of Directors, to whom this position reports.

  6. Maintain and report on equipment and software issues that influence your job capabilities.

  7. Liaise and attend meetings with other Farm functions necessary to perform duties and aid business and organizational development.

  8. Attend training and develop relevant knowledge and skills.

  9. Develop relationships with other organizations, which can further the mission of Pushing the Envelope Farm.

  10. Work with the PtEF Board of Directors as needed.

  11. Assist in grant-writing, donor cultivation and solicitation.

  12. Maintain records and write reports as necessary and required by any grantors.

  13. Perform other duties that are required for the successful operation of the Farm.

    Program Coordinator Personal Profile:

    Personality:

    Self-driven, results-oriented with a positive outlook, and a clear focus on high quality and organization success. A natural forward planner who critically assesses own performance. Mature, credible, and comfortable in dealing with senior organization professionals. Reliable, tolerant, and determined. Empathetic communicator, able to see things from the other person's point of view. Well-presented and businesslike. Enjoys new experience, responsibility and accountability. Able to get along with others and be a team-player.

    Specific Job Skills:

    • Able to communicate professionally via phone, in person and through written communications.

    • A background in Jewish Education is a plus, but not required.

    • An understanding of sustainability issues and the environmental world is a benefit.

    • Farm/Gardening skills are a plus.

    Computer skills:

    Must be adept in use of current MS Office, particularly Excel and Word, Internet and email. Be prepared to do internet research for specific projects.

    Writing skills:  

    Must demonstrate ability to write clearly and communicate effectively.  A portfolio of examples of skills is helpful. Must be a very competent writer of business letters, collateral materials and proposals.

    Business Skills:

    Must be an excellent face-to-face and telephone communicator.

    Other:

    • Salary dependent on experience

    • Housing potential and some meals provided

    • Professional development opportunities

Compensation this position is : salaried Application instructions
This job expired on August 08, 2016
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