Director of Farm Programs

Search:#1224
Date Posted: 09/13/2023
Type/Department:Administrator in Farm Center
Search Status:Position Filled
Apply Now:Currently we are not accepting resumes for this position.

Hampshire College

Department: Hampshire College Farm Center

Job Title: Director of Farm Programs

Position Type: Full Time

Schedule:  35 Hours week

Pay Range/ Status: $66,000 - $72,000/ Exempt

Location: Hampshire College Campus in Amherst, MA

Reports to: Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs

Anticipated Start Date: December 1, 2023

Hampshire College, an independent, innovative liberal arts institution and member of the Five College consortium, is located on a beautiful rural campus in Amherst, Massachusetts. We provide residential undergraduate education to nearly 600 students. Each department at Hampshire College contributes to the collaborative culture of the organization and plays an important role in the success of the College The Hampshire College Farm Center produces ethical and sustainable food for our community; offers our students a connection to place through authentic and practical work; and provides opportunities for research, individual creativity, reflection, and recreation. As part of the farm team, you will be instrumental in the department achieving its mission and goals!

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reporting to the associate vice president of academic affairs, the director of farm programs will provide leadership and support for farm center operations as well as current farm initiatives and land use and will propose avenues to build upon those initiatives in the future. The director is responsible for all management duties related to operation of the farm, including budget, program, and operational oversight; grant writing and fundraising, and the supervision of the assistant director of farm programs/ livestock manager, and the community supported agriculture (CSA) program manager.  The director is also responsible for linking the farm program to the educational mission of the College, to the College dining services and to the wider community. 

As a member of both the farm center and the division of academic affairs, this position is essential to student and community service and experience. The incumbent must feel comfortable working in an often fast-paced organizational framework with shifting and evolving responsibilities. This position collaborates with other farm staff, and a variety of other college offices to meet the department goals, and further the mission of the department and the College. This position participates as a committed member and leader of the farm center team and the academic affairs leadership team in college and division committee work, projects, meetings, events, and overall community development. Availability to work occasional nights and weekends is required.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

  • Must have excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills (both written and oral);
  • Must have excellent problem solving skills;
  • Must be able to multi task and prioritize;
  • Must be able to create, manage and balance budgets, including management of an institutional income stream.
  • The director will have extensive decision-making skills, and must have the ability to work with teams to establish and achieve short- and long-term goals,
  • Fluency in Word, Excel (spreadsheets), google workspace and be able to quickly learn new systems and embrace updates to existing software.
  • The director must be able to integrate qualitative and quantitative data.
  • Director will work independently, with an ability to prioritize work across multiple time scales.
  • Director will identify areas for improvement and either implement change or suggest possible solutions to the dean of faculty and others.
  • The director must have enhanced interpersonal skills to include the ability to work effectively with a variety of people (faculty, staff, students as well as parents, families, donors, and the general public).
  • Must be knowledgeable and committed to Hampshire’s unique educational experience; will have a strong understanding of subjects related to food, farm and sustainability that is regularly updated through professional development.
  • Must be able to demonstrate sustained engagement with the larger agricultural and socioeconomic issues related to sustainable agriculture and food systems.
  • Must be knowledgeable in all aspects of farm safety regulations and procedures.
  • Must be able to create a collaborative, positive, safe, and inclusive work environment.
  • A commitment to working with people from diverse backgrounds and empowering students of all abilities is essential.
  • Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism.
  • Must be able to demonstrate an understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-oppression concepts and issues, especially as they apply to Academic Affairs.
  • A valid driver’s license and successful completion of the College’s defensive driving training course.
  • Employment is contingent on successfully passing a DOT physical with lift test.

Preferred

  • Experience working in an educational setting
  • Experience and success with grant writing, fundraising, and development.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATION, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Four-year college degree or equivalent
  • Minimum of three years’ farm management experience (organic vegetable/livestock farm management and production experience).

Alternatives to formal education and paid work experience may be considered as equivalent qualifications to include military service/training, volunteering, activism, and other non-traditional programs and experiences related to the position.

BENEFITS:

Hampshire College offers an excellent benefits program for eligible employees such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, generous retirement plan contributions, flexible leave plans, and many other fringe benefits. For information on Hampshire College, including more information on employee benefits and our company culture, visit our website at www.hampshire.edu.

WHO SHOULD APPLY:

Hampshire College is an equal opportunity employer and deeply committed to a community of excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We’re particularly committed to revealing and combating the social and institutional structures that support racism and white supremacy in all phases of employment and college life. We believe that the educational and employment environment is enhanced when diverse groups of people with diverse ideas come together to work and grow. We encourage applications from women, underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, sexual minority groups, veterans, and other candidates who will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives. Hampshire College is committed to removing barriers to employment faced by equity-seeking groups and encourages (but does not require) members of these groups to self-identify in their application materials. Applicants whose work incorporates a global perspective and a demonstrated commitment to issues of diversity in the work environment are particularly encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit your cover letter, resume and names/phone numbers of three professional references via our website at https://jobs.hampshire.edu/

Review of applications will begin on October 15, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled.

Hampshire College is an equal opportunity institution, committed to diversity and inclusion in education and employment.