Agriculture Program Manager
ABOUT OXBOW FARM & CONSERVATION CENTER
Located on 240 acres of forest and grassland bordered by Western Washington’s Snoqualmie River, Oxbow’s mission is to inspire people to eat healthy, sustainably grown food and to steward our natural resources for future generations. We seek to become a vibrant hub for inspiration and learning, known for our creative and engaging year-round programming – a source for real-time practices that promote climate resilience and excite people to make choices in support of healthy food and a sustainable environment. We are seeking an Agriculture Program Manager to join our management team as we embark on these ambitious plans.
ABOUT THE AGRICULTURE PROGRAM
Oxbow’s Agriculture Program produces certified organic vegetables with the goal of demonstrating the benefits of locally grown organic produce, strengthening the regional food system in Western Washington, and exploring ways that small farms can address environmental challenges. The farm grows on 30 acres of land and produces organic vegetables for a farm stand, two farmers markets, a CSA program, and wholesale throughout the Seattle region. Oxbow’s produce is marketed in ways that build connection between the community, the land, and food producers, while also being a vehicle to combat systemic food insecurity, grow knowledge, and research practical conservation agriculture techniques.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center seeks a program manager to lead and manage its agriculture program and team. Working closely with the Director of Programs, this position oversees all aspects of Oxbow’s agriculture program, including outreach and sales, crop planning and production, sustainable and regenerative farming research, food access programs, education and public engagement, and farm team development. Success in this position will be achieved with strong communication and cross-program collaboration, intentional team management, and tracking to clear and measurable program goals.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead the maturation of the agriculture program’s strategy, approach and plan, with a focus on how program activities tie to Oxbow’s mission and vision.
- Manage the agriculture program team of 9, including assessing and developing staff capacity, delegating responsibilities and load-balancing tasks, and regularly prioritizing work.
- Partner with the Assistant Manager, Agricultural Production in developing a mission-oriented crop production plan that meets sales commitments, supports research and food access agendas, and aligns with the farm’s capacity.
- Partner with the Assistant Manager, Farm Sales & Outreach in marketing and selling farm products and programs, in collaboration with Oxbow’s business development team.
- Manage the agriculture program budget, tracking program revenue and expenses. Propose farm infrastructure investments that further sustainable and/or regenerative farming practices.
- Work collaboratively with Oxbow leadership to explore the development of a research agenda, year-round educational programming, and growth of the organization’s food access program.
- Explore and pursue opportunities for grant funding and lead reporting against active grants.
- Partner with Oxbow leadership and managers to advance the organization’s strategy and objectives and to ensure efficient and effective communication and operations.
CORE KNOWLEDGE
- A minimum of five years’ experience working in organic vegetable crop production, sales, and marketing.
- Passion for furthering sustainable and/or regenerative farming practices.
- Strong management skills, balanced strategic and tactical focus, with a demonstrated ability to deliver program results while maximizing individual development and well-being.
- Proven ability to mobilize and motivate teams, set direction and approach, resolve conflict, coach performance, deliver tough messages with grace, and make decisions to advance the work with limited information or ambiguity.
- Excellence in influence and leadership – a team player who focuses on building a healthy and productive culture, is skilled at building trust and strong relationships, who models desired behaviors and nurtures them in others.
- Experience with farm-based research preferred.
- Exceptional organizational skills, with an ability to manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.
- Patient, flexible, diplomatic, creative, resilient, pragmatic, with a sense of humor and an ability to stay grounded in diverse conditions and under pressure.
- Able to perform physical work outdoors in the context of agricultural operations.
- Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends.
- Fluent working in Microsoft suite (Office 365, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams)
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMITMENT
Oxbow is committed to cultivating a culture of diversity and inclusion. We value the individual differences, life experiences, and knowledge that our staff bring to their work and their communities. Valuing diversity is a significant part of our culture, our values, and the success of Oxbow’s mission.
Oxbow provides equal employment opportunities to all staff members and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Oxbow is committed to fostering a racially diverse team. People of color are encouraged to apply.
COMPENSATION
This is a regular, full-time position, with a competitive compensation package, including 100% employer paid healthcare, annual dental stipend, generous holiday, vacation, and sick leave. Salary range is $60,000-$65,000, depending on qualifications.
TO APPLY
To apply, email a resume, letter of interest, and 3 references to: thedirt@oxbow.org. Please write Agriculture Program Manager in the subject line and include where you found this position in the message body.
Apply by December 31 for first consideration. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis after this date until position is filled.