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Careers

Executive Director

The Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition seeks a full-time Executive Director (ED). Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED will have overall operational responsibility for CVFC’s mission, programs, member relations, communications, financial growth, grant management, and staff. 

Responsibilities 

Leadership & Management 

  • Actively engage, partner with, and support the Board of Directors; recommend timelines and resources needed to achieve organization’s strategic goals. 
  • Ensure ongoing programmatic excellence and consistent quality of finance, administration, fund development, communications, and systems. 
  • Foster strong relationships with current members to maintain and increase membership levels.  
  • Identify and implement new opportunities for CVFC to diversify and increase its revenue. 
  • Ensure CVFC meets and reports on all requirements and deliverables for the Agricultural Clean Water Initiative Program (AgCWIP) grant and other funding sources, as they arise. 

Education & Outreach 

  • Offer educational opportunities to members to learn more about innovative agricultural practices that enhance water quality, soil health, climate smart farming, and their economic resiliency. This includes field workshops, guest speakers, and development of an online support community. 
  • Provide occasional 1:1 support to members who have questions about water quality, soil health, and climate matters.  
  • Participate in local and state working groups that address current agriculture environmental issues, such as Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES), Required Agricultural Practices (RAP), Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) regulations, etc.  
  • Coordinate and build stronger partnerships with groups aligned with CVFC’s mission and goals, including and especially UVM Extension and other farmer watershed organizations in Vermont. 
  • Collaborate with Communications Consultant to raise public perception of farmers as worthy environmental stewards of the land and waterways. 
  • Stay current on agricultural policies related to water quality, soil health, and climate change at the local and state levels; coordinate with Board for input on pertinent issues; and communicate implications of policy to members.   

Technical Assistance & Conservation Practice Documentation 

  • Hire and supervise Program Manager who will provide technical assistance to farmer members for implementing and documenting conservation practices. 
Qualifications 
  • Thoroughly committed to CVFC’s mission and goals. 
  • Highly motivated self-starter with working knowledge of Vermont agriculture practices, and current water quality, soil health, and climate change issues and programs.  
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and lead in alignment with mission and strategic objectives of the organization. 
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills.  
  • Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and organizational skills.  
  • Proficient in word processing and spreadsheet tools.  
  • Experience with nonprofit organization leadership and management, as well as grant writing and reporting, strongly preferred. 
Position Salary and Benefits 

Salary hiring range of $55,000 – $65,000 per year based on skills and experience. Office and travel expenses provided. Two weeks of paid leave. The position is a 2-year grant funded position with potential for extension as future funding allows. Organization is based at the UVM Extension office in Middlebury; ED may work there or remotely. In-state travel for farm visits, workshops, meetings, and legislative interactions required. Must provide own transportation.  

To apply: email letter of interest and resumé by May 20 to info@cvfc-vt.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  

NOTE: The Executive Director position is currently filled by an interim ED who will not apply for the permanent role.