Hiring at Organic Farmers Association

Organic Farmers Association is a fully remote organization with a highly collaborative work culture and collective governance model. Our team has worked from home offices since OFA was founded in 2016. All team members are independent contractors, yet our Governing Council is recommending that we shift to an employer-employee structure by the end of 2023. We are looking for a half-time team member who is passionate about supporting organic farmers and changing the food system, excited to take initiative, and able to integrate feedback on the fly. Our four-person team depends on strong communication skills, accountability, and coordinated workflow across departments.

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER POSITION OVERVIEW

Primary responsibilities include managing communications strategy, maintaining OFA’s communications calendar, supporting the production of the Organic Voice magazine, managing the reconstruction of the National Farmer Education Clearinghouse, shaping our evolving voice, building media relations, maintaining a cohesive design style, writing, and editing. This position reports to and collaborates with the four-person OFA Team and works closely with the Executive Director.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Any combination of formal education, paid work experience, unpaid/volunteer experience, and life experience will be considered to meet all or most of the following needs:

• Program and project management experience (at least 3 years): Work with team members and contractors to keep simultaneous projects on deadline

• Demonstrated track record of managing projects that deliver results

• Must be able to work independently, as well as on a team

• Excellent storytelling, reporting, and research skills

• Ability to make the nuances of organic farming and policy accessible to a general audience

• Experience creating a variety of communications styles: press releases, general audience farmer

  articles, action alerts, fact sheets, etc.

• Proficiency in digital communication tools, such as Google Platform, Canva, zoom, a variety of

  email communications systems, and social media listening tools (applicants are not expected to

  be proficient in every tool listed; training will be provided)

• A resilience mindset: You are inspired and motivated by how organic farmers are successfully

  creating alternatives to the industrialized food system

• Curiosity that leads you to seek out answers to your questions

• Collaborative and comfortable with disagreement

  Bonus skills:

• Graphic design talent, able to match the OFA brand and create cohesive content in Canva

• Technical capacity around multimedia production, especially video

• Ability to step in front of the camera or microphone with poise

  CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

  Project Management

• Act as the managing editor of OFA’s communications calendar

• Conceptualize and coordinate all pieces of new project roll-out

• Coordinate with OFA team to receive content on schedule

• Work with designers to create design assets where necessary

  Writing, Reporting, and Content Creation

• Act as the managing editor of the Organic Voice, OFA’s digital quarterly magazine (work with staff to coordinate content, edit articles, pre- and post-production; oversee and create some design elements, including photo research and infographics)

• Write and edit articles for various communications channels

• Interview outside experts and OFA team members to stay abreast of issues in the organic sector

• Coordinate the monthly eNews schedule, compile e-news content, and execute production

• Manage OFA’s social media presence including YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter

• Manage website

  Communications Strategy

• Work with OFA team on creation and implementation of a co-aligned communications and development plan

• Routinely analyze communication performance, set goals, and track analytics

  Media Relations

• Write press releases and improve media outreach

• Track media mentions and create monthly reports

General

• Travel occasionally for farm visits, conferences, and events

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Compensation starts at $36k annual compensation depending on experience and location. Because this is an independent contractor position, it does not include benefits, nor is it classified as an employee- employer relationship. OFA does intend to shift this position to an employee designation within the 2023 calendar year but will be unable to provide benefits. OFA provides a great work environment with a collaborative and passionate team and flexibility. We look for team members who share our passion for viable, independent, real organic farms.

TIME COMMITMENT

Estimated to average 20 hours/week - generally Monday through Friday during business hours, but timing can be flexible. Start date: July 1.

WORK CULTURE

Wellness and balance are respected at OFA; we believe that one’s work should contribute to a well- rounded life but should not define it. We encourage personal work plans that allow staff to take vacations and allow for flexible schedules as needed. We value having a diversity of life experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives on our team. We are eager for applications from people with non- traditional backgrounds.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The application process will not include a traditional cover letter or resume. We will evaluate you only on the skills you demonstrate during the four-stage application process. Throughout this multi-step process, applicants will be asked to answer questions, perform brief writing and editing exercises, and participate in an interview on Zoom. Work submitted will only be used to help us select the best candidate. Evaluators will not have access to your name until Round 3 of this process. We invite all candidates to inquire about accommodations needed for any piece of the job application process.

Please fill out this Round 1 Questionnaire to apply. Direct any questions about the position or OFA to the appropriate place in the questionnaire.

A select group of applicants will be invited to participate in Round 2 of the application process, which mirrors one of the important, routine tasks of the Communications Manager. A few applicants will then be invited to a Zoom interview and perform an OFA-specific writing exercise. Then we will make a formal job offer to one applicant.

Organic Farmers Association is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, uniform service member status, or disability. Women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ persons, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.