Overview

Wild Farm Alliance (WFA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting healthy, viable agriculture that protects and restores wild nature. We have a bold 2050 vision to bring nature back to our farms and to catalyze a stewardship ethic among current and new generations of farmers, land stewards, agencies, nonprofits, policy makers, scientists and educational institutions. Our Farmland Wildways program goal is to inspire farmers across the country to install 500,000 miles of farm habitat – hedgerows to the moon and back. Learn more about Wild Farm Alliance at www.wildfarmalliance.org.

The Farmland Wildways Program Director will deliver program objectives and outreach in order to help us get closer to our goal and to meet our grant funded deliverables. The 2-year focus of this position will be centered on educating and inspiring California farmers to install native habitat in order to attract and support natural enemies (mostly arthropods) for pest control. Specifically, the Program Director is responsible for leading program implementation, organizing outreach events (farm field days), writing and publishing programmatic resources, working with contractors and others to produce videos, conducting literature research, networking to build alliances and providing general communications (print, email, social media).

Location

This position will ideally be based in California, working remotely from a home office with travel to farms throughout California for field days and other events.

Key Responsibilities

  • Participate in program planning and implementation, including working with project team made up of WFA staff, contractors, farmers and others.
  • Conduct general grant administration and deliverables, attend required meetings (and lead as needed), assist with quarterly and annual progress reports.
  • Work with WFA staff, videographer, researchers and California growers to produce videos and farmer profiles.
  • Organize and host field days with multiple speaker presentations, and demonstrations of beneficial habitat plantings on farms throughout California.
  • Create and publish a Guide about the benefits of natural enemy insects and their habitat for pest management for California farmers.
  • Plan and coordinate a live webinar with several speakers’ presentations, including ones that cover topics in the Guide and other technical and online resources.
  • Conduct outreach to a wide and diverse audience promoting WFA videos, narratives and resources.
  • Assist with grant writing for other projects.
  • Respond to information requests and routine correspondence.
  • Participate in coalitions as necessary.
  • Deliver public presentations about WFA programs and work.
  • Represent WFA at meetings and outreach events, building the base of WFA supporters and our alliance of project partners.
  • Provide support to develop communication pieces, both online and offline to communicate WFA program accomplishments to the public, including action alerts, newsletters, printed handouts, annual reports and social media.
  • Update program pages on website and StoryMap platforms.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have direct experience in working in the conservation-based agriculture field with a focus on beneficial insects and native habitat; directing program implementation; technical knowledge of conservation plantings and best practices; and translating science for a farmer audience. Our ideal candidate works well in a highly collaborative and multi-disciplinary environment; ability to think strategically and creatively; have clear and effective communications skills for both verbal and written communication; and a passion for achieving success.      The specific requirements and preferred skills and experience we are looking for are listed below:

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in entomology, natural resource management or similar.
  • Strong knowledge of and experience with natural enemy arthropods.
  • Considerable knowledge of California’s native plants and ecosystems.
  • Collaboratively work with Wild Farm Alliance and a wide variety of farm and conservation partners and stakeholders to further Farmland Wildways’ goals.
  • An understanding of California sustainable and conventional agriculture.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with growers from all backgrounds.
  • Ability to travel to farms throughout California for field days and other events.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, prioritizing and managing multiple, complex projects, and consistently delivering high quality work projects on schedule.
  • At least 5 years’ experience in directing program implementation in the nonprofit sector, or related experience in a similar field/sector.
  • Project or program management experience, including budget management responsibility.
  • Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to write clear emails, and technical documents for diverse audiences.
  • Exceptional verbal communication, presentation and public speaking skills for farmers, conservationists, scientists and other audiences.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel etc.)
  • A sense of humor and strong team player.
  • Valid driver’s license in the United States and a motor vehicle records check allowing employee to be insured under WFA corporate liability insurance.
  • We require all employees to be fully vaccinated unless a reasonable accommodation is provided based on disability or sincerely held religious belief. Candidates will be required to provide proof of vaccination upon hire.

Preferred

  • Graduate degree in entomology, natural resource management or similar.
  • Experience in grant writing and reporting.
  • Bilingual (English and Spanish) or multilingual (English and Spanish).

Physical Requirements

Be able to perform the following with reasonable breaks and/or accommodations:

  • Move and transport supplies, materials, and equipment weighing up to 30 pounds.
  • Work outdoors in the field for 8-10 hours per day, often in sparsely populated, remote locations and under potentially adverse or difficult conditions such as high heat, rain, darkness, biting and stinging insects and other dangerous wildlife (snakes, large mammals, etc.), or abrasive or poisonous vegetation, among others.
  • Frequently traverse across unpaved roads and walkways, and rugged terrain such as steep slopes, high weeds and unimproved muddy trails, for periods of 8 hours or more.
  • Drive vehicle for periods of time of up to 8 hours.
  • Operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a telephone or computer printer for periods of time up to 8 hours.

Hours and Compensation

Salary range $50,000-$58,000, depending on experience. This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position (~40 hours a week) funded through October 2024, with potential for extension depending on funding. WFA provides a wide range of benefits including generous paid time off, medical insurance and a flexible work environment. Some night and weekend work will be necessary.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At WFA we support and celebrate differences. WFA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity workplace. We are committed to incorporating Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion throughout our work, including improving our efforts to hire, support and engage BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ people, and members of other historically marginalized groups.

Terms

Wild Farm Alliance is an at-will employer. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

How to Apply

Submit a cover letter and resume detailing your interest and qualifications for this position to the contact below. In addition, please provide three references with contact information.

Email application materials to: shellyconnor@wildfarmalliance.org with a subject line “Program Director Application.” We will begin reviewing applications in late November. The position will remain open until filled. No phone calls please!