Company description

The NY Farm Viability Institute is a farmer led, farmer focused non-profit. With a ten member all farmer, volunteer board of directors.

Our mission is to help NY farmers become more profitable and to improve the long-term viability and sustainability of our state's farms, the food system, and the communities which they serve.

We strive to achieve our mission through a farmer-driven grant making process connecting farmer identified needs to practical research and education solutions. We amplify our efforts and the efforts of others through leadership and collaboration. This creation and sharing of knowledge results in positive farm-level impact.

Job description

Full job description can be found at www.nyfvi.org.

The Executive Director must reside in NY State, be willing and able to travel extensively within the State, and build professional relationships with the NYFVI board, agricultural organization leadership, legislators, university faculty and administration, legislators, agency administration and staff, and others.

Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Manages the day-to-day operations of the Institute, including developing and implementing procedures necessary to carry out goals and policies established by the board of directors. Supports the board of directors in developing NYFVI operational policies, and policies governing sponsored projects and programs.
2. Responsible for internal controls and implementing current personnel policies and procedures, including codes of conduct, standards of performance, and supervision of all NYFVI employees, independent contractors, and consultants.
3. Takes leadership in developing and coordinating efforts to build support for the Institute's activities with government agencies, State and Federal legislators and their staffs, private sector organizations, and foundations, to expand Institute program resources while broadening the Institute's funding base.
4. Directs the preparation of proposed budgets and financial reports and manages Institute activities consistently within approved budgets and in keeping with Board policy decisions.
5. Manages the Institute's grant programs in a manner that is orderly, fiscally responsible, effective in achieving Institute goals, and responsive to the expectations of Institute funders and grant recipients.
6. Responsible for the maintenance, protection, integrity, and security of the Institute's database. Ensures the database remains up to date and is adequately serving the Institute's record keeping and project management needs.
7. Supports an ongoing effort to make the Institute's grant administration system a model for organizations of this type. The system should be user-friendly in terms of application and reporting procedures, efficient in project tracking and evaluation, and transparent in providing accurate and timely accounting for Institute expenditures and obligations.
8. Provides leadership for outreach activities to producers, including systematic efforts to define barriers to success for future Institute-sponsored activities and programs, and to increase farmer participation in and support for Institute activities.
9. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Demonstrated experience managing a fully remote workforce. Responsible for the supervision of all NYFVI employees in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Language Ability: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from clientele, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

Math Ability: Ability to work with mathematical concepts like probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. The ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with abstract and concrete variables.

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint; internet software (such as Edge, Firefox, Safari, Chrome); and a general knowledge of database design and software.

Education/Experience: • Master’s degree in agriculture or agriculture related field; and four to six years related experience in management level positions; or equivalent combination of education and experience. • Experience with grant writing, evaluating grant proposals, grant project monitoring and performance evaluation.

Certificates and Licenses: Valid driver's license

Knowledge, Skills, and Other Abilities: • Broad-based knowledge of NY agriculture, agricultural research, extension education, and technical assistance programs and activities In New York State. Including familiarity with farm business challenges, technology, and the policy environment affecting agriculture. • Fund-raising experience, including working with businesses, funding agencies, and foundations, and preparing materials to promote the organization in seeking funding. • Ability to travel overnight when necessary. • Willingness and ability to attend agricultural organization meetings, and agriculturally related, conferences, field days, meetings, and educational events across NY State. Including multiple trips to Albany and other locations to meet with legislators and their staff.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, more than $100,000

Location

job can be done remotely

Application instructions

Deadline

August 15, 2025