General Description of Development Officer Position

The Development Officer will provide vital support to the Executive Director. The position is a long term, full time salaried position with potential to grow for the right person, invested in the sustainability of Farm Discovery. This position will grow Farm Discovery’s budget over the next three years, lead fundraising campaigns and events, manage grant calendar, submissions, reporting and research, with supervision by the Executive Director.

The person in this position will work collaboratively with education staff and is responsible for daily decision-making.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Fundraising

· Manage fundraising portion of program events and lead fundraising events – including phone calls, e-mail and letters for securing sponsorships, soliciting donations, volunteer recruitment, and event coordination.

· Act as a friendly ambassador, advocate and asker welcoming the public & upholding the mission of Farm Discovery and Live Earth Farm

· Lead development outreach to local and regional agricultural and business communities to help develop relationships to help sustain Farm Discovery programs.

· Facilitate corporate volunteer partnerships, including recruitment, management and stewardship of volunteers as they relate to corporate giving.

· Support Farm Discovery Executive Director in researching, initiating, developing and maintaining relationships with donors and sponsors.

· Oversee administration of Farm Discovery grant and donor database (Salesforce software), including researching new opportunities and recruitment and training of volunteers to assist.

· Manage grant submissions including calendar, development and writing of narratives, work plans, and budgets, reporting, research and check-ins with Executive Director and Assistant Director of Education on goals and objectives.

· Research, identify, develop & maintain Major Donor Relationships.

· Research, identify, develop & maintain Sponsor & Corporate Partner Relationships

· Supervise and execute marketing and outreach to promote campaigns, programs & events at Farm Discovery

· Supervise and execute fundraising components of events.

· Communicate with the Farm Discovery team about all campaigns, goals and objectives

· Supervise communication with grantors, donors, sponsors and volunteers to answer questions, coordinate payment, recognize contributions and provide tax documentation.

· Create and maintain annual fundraising plan with quarterly updates for Director and Board.

· Manage donor and supporter electronic and print communications using mail merge, e-communications programs and tracking communications in the Farm Discovery database.

· Co-create annual report with Executive Director & Assistant Director of Education.

Development Administration

· Use computer word processing, spreadsheet, and database software to prepare reports, memos, and documents.

· Oversee preparation of outgoing mail, including organizing volunteer support for large mailings.

· Supervise coding and filing of materials according to the established procedures.

· Update and ensure the accuracy of the organization's databases.

· Back-up electronic files using proper procedures.

Financial Management

· Supervise coding and filing of materials according to established records management procedures.

· Work with staff and volunteers to coordinate and ensure the integrity of the processing of donations.

· Assist with financial reports as required.

· Month end duties as required.

Provide Board Support

· With the Executive Director, prepare supporting development reports and materials for distribution.

· Ensure the timely distribution of material to the Board.

Provide Broad Support

· Facilitate programs and events when additional staff are needed.

· Jump in where needed to support all programs, events, and the back-end operations to keep these running at the level of excellence our clients and customers expect.

Expectations

· Understanding of Farm Discovery Policies, Staff Bios, Community Agreements, and Staff Schedule.

· Ability to make decisions as a team and individually and carry out work efficiently and effectively.

· Commitment to great customer service and donor cultivation.

· Ability to work together as a team in all aspects of the nonprofit organization.

· Desire to learn and ask questions; openness to different ideas/ways of doing things; think about what you’re learning, what you don’t know, observe & take notes of your observations; program debriefs.

· Setting a good pace: think about how you’re working/how quickly and well you are accomplishing tasks; imagine this as your own nonprofit organization.

· Full engagement with visiting groups, events, community days; being friendly and welcoming to all people visiting the farm.

· Open and direct communication: participation in weekly check-ins; formal and informal opportunities to share appreciations and challenges.

· Self care – balancing work with physical, mental, spiritual wellbeing.

· Ask questions when you don’t know something, are not sure about something…there is no silly question!

· Co-create a happy, functioning, working community.

Personal Characteristics

· Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and business practices and ensure own behavior and the behavior of others are consistent with these standards and align with the values of the organization.

· Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others both internally and externally to achieve the goals of the organization.

· Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.

· Focus on Donor Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external clients to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.

· Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.

· Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization.

· Organization: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details/data/information/activities.

· Plan: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results.

· Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.

Preferred:

· Bilingual Spanish speaker.

· Experience and understanding of Latinx culture.

· Farming gardening and/or nutrition experience, skills, and/or passion.

· Familiarity with area agricultural business and philanthropic sectors.

Work Setting

· Shared office environment in the Education Facility on our organic farm. Some of the work can be done remotely and on own schedule.

· This is a 40 hours per week, full time position with some seasonal fluctuation, and 1-2 weekend events a month ,year-round and especially spring, summer and fall. Farm Discovery office hours are 8-4 Monday through Friday. Must be available to work at least two mornings a week.

Duration

The position will be filled in summer 2024. We are most interested in hiring someone willing to make a long term, multi-year commitment. We are looking for someone who wants to grow with our nonprofit over the years.

Position Details

This is a 40 hour per week, full time position with paid vacation, sick time, and holidays. Salary $50-60k, commensurate with experience plus a benefits stipend. In addition, the farm will provide produce, and fresh eggs as available.

Application Procedure:

*Please fill in the following form: https://forms.gle/vgoN9xoYnyuHo2Wu7

the form will require the following two items to be uploaded within it:

• A cover letter that shares the unique skills you bring to the table and includes the date or range of timing you are interested/available to start
• A resume with at least two professional references

We will begin reviewing and accepting candidate material immediately.