Careers

Description:

he Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship (CADE) seeks a full time Program Associates to join the organization’s program team. This is a  junior professional position responsible for supporting CADE’s program managers and overall organizational goals.

Position Summary

CADE aims to deliver programming through a collaborative approach; this position will support CADE’s marketing work in collaboration with the Marketing lead and support the existing Programs Team broadly. The position is expected to work most closely with, receive work guidance from, and report to the Marketing Lead, to support marketing efforts for the organization and specific client needs. Ability to multitask and keep an organized, collaborative and communicative process for project management is a must. Must have attention to detail for visual elements to properly edit or create light graphic design work, as well as written work such as copyediting. One must have an interest in keeping up to date on technology including website platforms, such as Wix and Squarespace, social media and general best practices to keep technology competency up to date. Most importantly to succeed in this position, one must be interested in marketing and be open to learning new skills.

About CADE

CADE (www.cadefarms.org) is a non-profit organization founded in 1991, whose mission is to increase the number and diversity of successful farm enterprises. Our goal is for farm and food businesses to compete and thrive, contributing to a sustainable regional food system and strong local economy. CADE strives to uphold and promote the following values as an organization and in our work with clients: Sustainability, Collaboration, Inclusion, Transparency and Innovation.

CADE is currently undergoing a strategic planning process to identify how the organization can advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in New York’s food system and through our services to farm and food business entrepreneurs. CADE is in early phases of identifying our role in the space, and pivoting our work to better meet the needs of current and future diverse agribusiness clientele among Black and Brown entrepreneurs in our geographic area. CADE is making internal systems changes from a white-led to multicultural organization. The ideal candidate will be familiar with and committed to anti-racist agendas and be prepared to participate in CADE’s process to creating a more equitable food system and future. 

CADE’s office is based in Oneonta, NY, with most staff working a hybrid-remote schedule in the Central NY and Southern Tier Region. This position offers a hybrid-remote schedule and availability to work from the office or meet with clients, but must have availability to travel to Central New York for specific program and project based needs, client needs, by appointment and on occasion. The position therefore requires remote staff to have a valid driver’s license and access to a car.

Responsibilities

General Client Interaction

• Assist with CADE client outreach and networking activities including tabling events, managing sign-ups, and directing clients to CADE programs and services  

• Represent CADE and our clients in the community, at events and other promotional opportunities

• Logging and tracking CADE interactions with clients in CADE’s Client Relations Management system

• Model cultural competency in actively engaging multicultural clientele and prioritizing relationship building with multiracial, multicultural groups and people

Program Development and Delivery Support

• Develop/Write ad copy for digital or print marketing; interest in storytelling on behalf of clients and writing with a marketing focus

• Assist with market research, buyer outreach, surveys and other development activities for organizational priorities 

• Assist with development of educational materials and presentations 

• Assist with one-on-one client support for specific farmer/business clients, including:

  • market research

  • sales outreach

  • conducting surveys

  • designing and publishing content for web and social media presence

• Develop, maintain, update resource lists, development tools, and toolkits for organization website and printed materials

• Conduct sales outreach to prospective buyers and track relationships; comfortability cold-calling businesses or clients

• Advancing program delivery including facilitating presentations to farmer groups

• Enthusiasm for delivering CADE programming and services to diverse clients with multiple identities, backgrounds, languages, wide-ranging needs, and varying levels of capacity

Project Coordination

• Coordinate program scheduling and logistics

• Assist with monitoring and evaluation of program impacts

• Support grant administration and reporting with program and financial staff

Logistical and Administrative Support

• Provide administrative and logistical support for the organization as needed, e.g., taking meeting notes, responding to requests, scheduling travel, updating files, drafting and sending correspondence, and making copies.

Equity and Sustainability

• Ensure CADE values are brought to all aspects of the work: Sustainability, Collaboration, Inclusion, Transparency and Innovation

• Patience with and appetite for participating in an ongoing strategic planning process on diversity, equity, and inclusion within an organization with significant work to do to advance these agendas inside and out

Salary and Benefits

This is a full-time, 40 hour/week position with a salary range of $30,000-34,000. It includes health and dental insurance for the employee as well as half coverage for domestic partners and/or dependents, 3 weeks paid vacation, 12 paid holidays, and a retirement fund with 3% employer contribution. Employees also receive a $25 monthly stipend toward their personal mobile phone for work use.

• Minimum 1-2 years work or lived experience OR personal interest OR research in marketing, small businesses, farm or food businesses, food systems or agriculture 

• Experience working at a farm, farmers market, or other local food business, a plus 

• Outstanding writing, editing, and communications skills

• Comfortable presenting materials to small groups and facilitating group discussions, presentations, etc.

• Curiosity that fosters continued learning and growth, Readiness to grow their skills and capacity within the organization

• Experienced and comfortable with a variety of office technology (e.g., Wix, Squarespace, Salesforce, Mailchimp, GSuite, etc. or similar software)

• Outstanding program/project coordination and administrative skills

• Adaptable to frequently changing needs and prepared to respond flexibly to organizational needs 

• Self motivated and able to accomplish work independently as well as collaboratively

• Familiarity with antiracist frameworks and commitment to an equitable, sustainable food system 

• Languages including Spanish, Arabic, or French a plus

Please submit a letter of interest and resume to wendy@cadefarms.org by August 15. When applying, please include Program Associate Application in the subject line. No phone calls please.  Farmers, people of color, persons with disabilities, women and LGBTQ+ individuals are encouraged to apply and will be given priority consideration for the position. 

CADE is an equal opportunity employer committed to complying with all federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity laws. CADE prohibits discrimination against any employee and considers applications for all positions without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, military or veteran status, height and weight, religion, genetic predisposition or carrier status, arrest record, political/union affiliation, or any other legally protected status.