Company description

Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) offers peer-review certification to farmers and beekeepers who produce food for their local communities without the use of synthetic chemicals or GMOs. More than 600 farmers and beekeepers throughout North America participate. Farmers appreciate Certified Naturally Grown as a way to verify their ecological farming practices and demonstrate their commitment to the highest ideals of the organic movement. CNG is a private non-profit organization that is not affiliated with the USDA Organic Program. Our approach goes beyond enforcing regulations by encouraging knowledge exchange and supporting farmers to adopt best practices with scale-appropriate methods.

CNG's approach to certification - a participatory guarantee system, or PGS - is recognized by IFOAM - Organics International as an important way to include small-scale producers in the organic movement and to help them succeed.

We value diversity within our farming operations as well as in the CNG staff and our community of farmers, so we strongly encourage applications from people who are underrepresented within North American agriculture. Certified Naturally Grown is an equal opportunity employer and hires without regard to race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation or physical disability.

Job description

The Certification Specialist is the first point of contact with farmers applying to Certified Naturally Grown from across North America. They will review more than 300 applications per year to assess whether producers’ farm management practices are aligned with CNG standards. They follow-up with applicants as necessary to obtain further information or advise on any corrective actions that might be required prior to certification. Throughout the season they’ll respond to production-related questions from producers based on the standards, their own knowledge of farming, and through research. They will also assist with development and delivery of educational programming. This is an ideal position for a detail oriented person who loves farming and supporting farmers, and has the experience and maturity to be a key part of a small team. The Certification Specialist reports to the Executive Director and frequently coordinates with the Member Services Coordinator.  

This is a part time, remote position with opportunities to expand responsibilities for candidates with relevant skills. The work schedule is quite flexible. The number of hours required range from around 5 per week in the summer, up to 15 or 20 per week in the winter. Hours vary with the number of applications received and would increase if opportunities are identified for the new hire to take on added responsibility. 
 

Position Responsibilities

• Review applications for CNG certification (training will be provided)
• Respond to producers' inquiries about certification standards and allowed/prohibited substances (training will be provided)
• Assist with development of educational programming
• Host or co-host online trainings, classes and orientations with farmers
• Improve communications about standards, eg via blog posts and new FAQs
• Assist with updating CNG standards as needed, to help ensure alignment with best practices 

Required Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Familiarity with organic farming practices
• Ability to use logic and reasoning to apply general standards to a particular situation
• Self-starter and also a team player, responsive to feedback 
• Strong customer service skills and interest in helping farmers 
• Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks
• Ability to give consistent careful attention to details, and to be organized
• Comfortable with online communication and collaboration tools
• Reliable access to an appropriate physical space for carrying out the work, with a stable internet connection and limited distractions

 Desirable Skills and Qualities 

• Experience managing a diverse vegetable farming operation
• Knowledge of livestock, beekeeping, aquaponics and mushroom cultivation
• Experience developing and/or delivering educational programs to farmers or others
• Demonstrated commitment to a grassroots initiative 
• Experience with peer-review programs, in farming or other contexts
• Experience with strategic communications 
• Creative thinker with a strategic mind and an inclination to suggest new and improved approaches to our work

Compensation is $22/hour or more, depending on experience. 

Deadline to apply: 9/25/24 at 5pm Pacific

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Location

job can be done remotely

Application instructions

Deadline

September 25, 2024