Job Description: Executive Director The Florence Fang Community Farm is seeking an Executive Director to steward our programming, community engagement, and financial stability to the next level.
About us
Florence Fang Community Farm (FFCF) is an organic farm and ecosystem focused on the intergenerational and ethnic diversity of its neighborhood, Bayview Hunters Point in southeast San Francisco, the most diverse and underserved area of the city. Launched in 2014, FFCF has become San Francisco's largest, second most productive, most diverse urban community farm, and the city’s first farm operation certified by the USDA. Our one-acre farm is located on top of a functioning Caltrain tunnel and surrounded by a dense population of diverse residents, with residential homes on three sides, and opening up to views of Candlestick Park and San Bruno Mountain on its lower side.
Our farm is a living and breathing showcase of how gardening design, farming techniques, and biodiversity can be shared and celebrated across cultures and differences, reflecting our participants and families in the neighborhood. We improve food security and food sovereignty, increase healthy living habits, practice natural farming techniques, improve the environment, support neighborhood economic opportunity, and increase social connectedness within and between communities of color. Our farm is based on principles of diversity and food sovereignty, providing a food source that is consistent with cultural identities and involving community networks that promote self-reliance and mutual aid. Since our groundbreaking, we have expanded our mission to focus on the wider intergenerational and ethnic diversity that defines our local community. We also bring together a network of community groups and residents around policy issues of environmental sustainability, cultural diversity, and healthy living activities and eating practices.
About the position
The Executive Director (ED) will demonstrate a commitment to serving diverse populations, organic agriculture, sustainable food systems, and advancing food justice. The ED will provide leadership in guiding a team of three full-time staff; Farmer in Charge, Program Administrator, and Farm Coordinator. In addition, there is a part-time Farm Manager. Key duties of this position include managing administrative operations, increasing fundraising efforts, overseeing the budget, and sharpening our long-term strategic planning and vision. From managing day-to-day operations to strengthening the existing youth and volunteer programs, and partnerships, the ED will be the strategic lead in further developing and improving the FFCF’s impact in the community. The right person for this role will have a strong interest in organizing diverse communities and urban agriculture, while also thriving in a diverse environment where they can help make a lasting positive impact.
Roles and Responsibilities
Strategic Planning and Program Direction • After building an Advisory Board, the ED works to ensure that board members and FFCF committees feel connected to the organization and staff and are effectively engaged to advance the organization’s mission. • Ensure FFCF provides meaningful volunteer experience and engagement and attracts new volunteers at all levels. • Develop the annual budget, including decision-making on strategic priorities and future spending. • In collaboration with the FFCF Fundraising Committee and staff, develop and lead a comprehensive and sustainable fundraising strategy, thus ensuring the financial health of the organization and setting a tone of stability and belonging for all staff. • Expand on the existing programs by modernizing all documentation and processes. • Develop personal and staff annual work plans based on the current Strategic Plan, in concert with the Advisory Board once established. • Monitor program performance and evaluate their cost and effectiveness; celebrate and build on program success. • Monitor current and developing issues in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems to assure that FFCF’s programing addresses acknowledged needs and identifies opportunities for our participation. • Be prepared to contribute to national and international efforts and campaigns that support our vision and those of our community allies, in concert with the Advisory Board. • Utilize an entrepreneurial attitude combined with a deeply rooted passion for community-building. • Possess a high level of community awareness and appreciation for the community members of Bayview-Hunters Point.
Fundraising • Set fundraising goals and assess progress quarterly with the new Advisory Board. • Maintain diversified fundraising sources to ensure the organization’s continued financial viability. • Manage a database of donors, significant government agencies, strategic partners, and organizations. • Provide written donor recognition. • Prepare and conduct periodic campaigns designed to maintain recognition of and the opportunity to support FFCF’s mission. • Supervise and participate in grant writing. • Provide support to Advisory Board and staff to assure fundraising capability.
Financial Management • Create a multi-year financial plan based on the Strategic Plan then in place that accounts for expansion in programming or additional staff, and increases in fixed obligations, such as benefits, workman’s compensation, rentals, and other common payables. • Forecast financial viability and adjust increase or decrease spending. • Oversee general bookkeeping responsibilities, including but not limited to; bill pay, invoicing, grant fund tracking, financial reporting, reconciling, managing reimbursements, and audit or accounting reviews. • Work with a tax preparer to ensure proper accounting procedures and compliance with local, state, and federal financial reporting requirements. • Negotiate and manage all contracts with any vendors, suppliers, etc.
Staff Management • Foster positive, cooperative work experience utilizing a mentor-style management approach. • Set long and short-term staff goals to promote personal growth and hold quarterly performance check-ins. • Hire and discharge staff lawfully when required. Inform the Advisory Board a month in advance, if possible, of potential vacancies or issues in performance. • Ensure compliance with State and Federal employment law and regulations. Communicate with agencies as required. • Ensure that staff have adequate facilities and equipment to perform their roles.
Support the Advisory Board • Keep board members well-informed and help foster their relationship with the farm. • Plan and convene quarterly board meetings, in-person or virtual. • Implement board policies and decisions. • Act as a liaison between the board and staff.
Mission Building • Be passionate about working with diverse participants of all ages, races, backgrounds, and also speaking different languages. • Be a motivated participant in the urban farming movement and the community-centered organic food movement • Represent FFCF and its programs to the public in a knowledgeable, diplomatic, and professional manner. Be ready to support policy decisions with the Advisory Board. • Maintain and further develop relationships with other public and nonprofit agencies, businesses, and individuals, in a manner that furthers FFCF’s mission. • Actively partner and seek collaborative coalitions, alliances, partnerships, or networks with organizations and individuals with similar or complementary strategic goals.
Qualifications • Five years of operational management and supervisory experience • Experience dealing with diverse stakeholders of all ages, ethnicities, and language preferences. • Experience with budget management and financial management systems such as QuickBooks. • Experience with fundraising and increasing donor participation, including use of Salesforce. • Experience with managing and leading volunteers for video production, social media, and grant writing • A college degree in agriculture, environmental science, or management, or notable experience in those fields is preferred, not mandatory. • Proven leadership with fundraising and development efforts in a non-profit setting • Experience working with a broad range of stakeholders. • Excellent writing, speaking, and public relations abilities. • Empathic, positive, and effective staff management skills • Knowledge of and/or experience with social justice issues and policy advocacy in organic agriculture and sustainable, socially just, food systems.
Employment Details and Location Expectations • Full-time, 40-hour-per-week position • This is a hybrid position. You must have reliable transportation and be at the farm site 2-4 times a week, including some weekends. • Some regional travel is required. • The position requires California residency, with a preference for candidates currently residing near the farm. • The salary for the Executive Director is $120,000-$140,000, plus full benefits including health coverage, paid sick leave, vacation, holiday pay, and access to professional development resources.
How to Apply
Please answer the questions below and submit with a resume. NOTE: If you cannot add the questions and answers to your resume, please email the questions and your resume in one Word or PDF document (maximum 1,000 characters per answer, including spaces) to tfang@asianweek.com and be sure to put the position title in the subject line.
- Please tell us why you are interested in this position.
- Tell us about any relevant experience you have that relates to nonprofit management, specifically including your experience with budgeting and fundraising.
- Tell us about your experience managing people and building relationships in marginalized communities.
- In your own words, define the term ‘food desert’ and what it means to you.
Email the document with answers to the above questions, along with a resume to tfang@asianweek.com .