Title: Farm to Market Coordinator – Bilingual
Location: San Joaquin Valley, CA / Remote (Hybrid)
FTE: .80-1 FTE (negotiable)
Salary: $45,000-$52,000 annually
FLSA: Non-exempt
Reports To: Farm to Market Specialist
Bilingual Pay Differential: Eligible
CAFF is a California-based membership nonprofit organization that includes family farmers and other community members passionate about local food, farming, and the environment. CAFF’s mission is to build sustainable food and farming systems through policy advocacy and on-the-ground programs that create more resilient family farms, communities and ecosystems. The Farm to Market Program within CAFF works with farmers, aggregators and direct wholesale buyers, as well as direct-to-consumer markets, to facilitate sales and help actors throughout the supply chain increase their capacity to connect local farmers to market channels.
As a farmer-serving organization, we recognize the historic and lasting inequities in the California food and farming system. We believe farmers of color, and other historically oppressed people, should have the opportunity to create and participate in a food and agriculture system that aligns with their needs, values, identities, knowledge systems, and communities. We commit to advancing racial, gender, and environmental justice in our larger systems, as well as in our own workplace. Currently our programming is focused in four areas: Farm to Market, Policy & Advocacy, Farmer Services, and Ecological Farming. To learn more about CAFF, our history, and our core values, visit https://www.caff.org/about.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Farm to Market Coordinator will play a key role on our Farm to Market team by supporting CA small farmers, especially Spanish speaking farmers in the greater San Joaquin Valley. The Coordinator will work with other team members to deepen and expand relationships with farmers, buyers and partners, and address supply chain logistics to secure sales and provide capacity building training and resources. A successful candidate will be self-motivated, detail-oriented, computer literate, have technical knowledge of farming and/or supply chain coordination (i.e. purchasing), and adept in both English and Spanish. They will also implement CAFF’s Racial Equity goals and practices throughout their work.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Provide Farm to Market Technical Assistance to Farmers (70%)
-Provide bilingual (English & Spanish) support to farmers, buyers, distributors, and partners with a focus on building strong connections between these entities.
-Help implement various grant funded Farm to Market projects.
-Support the development and delivery of market-support trainings (webinars, workshops, farm tours, etc.) for partners and farmers statewide.
-Provide supply chain consulting to farmers and buyers to achieve sales.
-Work with Directors and Program Specialists to identify buyer needs and support farmers to meet them.
-Keep detailed records of sales and interactions to support the Farm to Market programs data collection efforts
Strengthen Farming Communities (20%)
-Support opportunities for California’s farming community to gather, build trust, and deepen community, especially in the greater San Joaquin Valley.
-Develop and expand collaborative sales relationships among farmers in CA, especially in the greater San Joaquin Valley.
-Professionally represent the organization to a diverse array of stakeholders.
General CAFF responsibilities (10% )
-Occasionally support local and statewide CAFF events and organizational initiatives, like the California Small Farm Conference
-Participate in weekly CAFF staff meetings and annual retreat
-Participate and contribute to racial equity action planning discussions
-Participate in local grassroots engagement efforts, including outreach and relationship building with farmers in your local community
-Represent CAFF by participating in community activities and events as necessary
-Participate in other administrative tasks as needed
-Contributes to annual program strategy development
We know it’s impossible to convey every single task for a particular job in one job description. Our hope is that as we work together, and your role evolves over time, we can adjust your job description accordingly
QUALIFICATIONS
Educational, Work, Professional or lived experience
-High school diploma or equivalent
-At least 2 years experience working in a farmer support and/or sales position, ideally with a nonprofit organization
-Professional or lived experience working with farmers and/or buyers in sustainable agriculture or related fields preferred. However, more important than hands-in-the-dirt agricultural experience is a passion for food systems work and CAFF’s mission and values.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Strong attention to detail and accuracy
Strong organizational skills with an ability to handle competing demands
Effective oral communication skills in English and Spanish as well as effective written communication skills in English
Ability to work independently and remotely
Strong computer skills, including above average knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and Google Suite
Willing and able to maintain strict confidentiality and professionalism
Ability to work independently and remotely while under COVID-19 restrictions
Physical Abilities
Ability to sit for long periods of time working at a computer.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
Requires a full range of physical mobility, such as bending, stooping, lifting, turning, carrying objects, and grasping.
BENEFITS
CAFF offers and covers 100% health and dental coverage for full time employees (categorized at 80% FTE and up), generous vacation (120 hours/year) and paid time off (two personal days in addition to vacation), and 401K. CAFF observes 11 holidays a year plus a week of paid time off in between Christmas and New Years. Employees are also provided a $50/month work from home stipend as well as a $30/month cell phone stipend. In addition, each employee is provided an annual $500 stipend to use on professional development.
This Farm to Market Coordinator position is eligible for a bilingual pay differential. This bilingual pay differential is granted in the amount $75 per pay period (as a flat rate add on to the employee’s base rate and distributed each pay period on eligible staff paychecks) and remains in effect as long as the bilingual requirement exists. Annual total for differential pay will be $1,800 ($75 x 24 pay periods).
CAFF’s policy is that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, gender, marital status, or sexual orientation. We strongly encourage those from diverse backgrounds and from historically underserved communities to apply.
To apply: Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume with the subject line “Farm to Market Coordinator-SJV” to jobs@caff.org by April 30, 2022. Earlier submissions are encouraged. Reference requests will be made further along in the application process.