Senior Member Engagement Assistant

Description

Practical Farmers of Iowa is Hiring a Senior Member Engagement Assistant

About PFI

Practical Farmers of Iowa is a nonprofit organization that has worked to equip farmers to build resilient farms and communities since 1985. We create learning opportunities via farmer-led events, on-farm research and educational content through our robust network of farmers. We also provide funding and technical assistance to help farmers adopt regenerative farming practices and grow farm businesses. Our vision is an Iowa with healthy soil, healthy food, clean air, clean water, resilient farms and vibrant communities.

This work has always been rooted in our value of welcoming everyone and creating a culture of mutual respect. We believe that a diversity of people, ideas and perspectives strengthens our ability to find creative solutions, enriches our understanding and broadens our impact. At Practical Farmers, we celebrate this diversity and are committed to ensuring that our policies and practices create an equitable and inclusive workplace. We take equal opportunity seriously and seek to empower and support all applicants and teammates. 

Practical Farmers offers a flexible, supportive and fast-paced work environment. Professional development is a core part of our culture and team members are encouraged to take independent initiative to help fulfill our mission. 

About the Position

The farm viability department provides innovative, personalized support to help farmers achieve their goals. We partner with farmers to implement new on-farm practices, develop markets and create robust farm business plans.  

Within this department, the data systems and member engagement team supports two other staff teams working in farm systems and business development. Together, these staff provide personalized financial and technical assistance to help our members and others reach their farm goals. Our programs engage with more than 3,000 farmers annually and span a variety of programs. Administering all programs requires a large-scale, well-organized team effort to help each farmer enroll and complete our programs. 

We’re seeking a senior member engagement assistant to support our farm viability department as it continues to grow and serve more farmers and landowners. This position will play a pivotal role in supporting farmers as they take part in these programs, helping them get the information they need and completing key steps to finish the program successfully.  

If you enjoy talking to people, providing excellent customer service and organizing and tracking information as part of a tight-knit, fast-paced team, this role is for you!  

Duties

• Process incoming, high-volume calls and communications from farmers and cost-share applications   
• Draft and send correspondence to cost-share participants
• Implement cost-share data management protocols to ensure cost-share data is organized and programs run efficiently  
• Organize and record information from incoming and current cost-share participants, PFI members and contacts into customer relationship management and project management software 
• Prepare materials and information required for measurement, reporting, and verification and maps reporting  
• Respond to inquiries and requests for resources from PFI members and the public on cost-share programs  
• Analyze cost-share and farm viability program receipt data and report results  
• Design and implement data collection and management tools for cost-share and farm viability programs  
• Other duties as assigned or volunteered to support department or team projects

Required Qualifications and Characteristics

• Familiarity with basic agronomics and field crops
• Two years of professional experience
• Experience with data entry and working within databases 
• A customer-service focused attitude
• Ability to learn and adapt quickly to different software, such as Microsoft Office suite, data management programs and web software
• Experience with successfully navigating complex administrative processes
• Problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
• Skill in reviewing documentation to determine compliance with administrative processes
• Ability to develop and manage a detailed schedule and work plan with little oversight
• Empathy toward commodity crop farmers
• Ability to be self-motivated and initiate communication with farmers, partners and other collaborators
• Respectful of differing perspectives
• Meticulous attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality work  
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• Able to work independently and within a team
• Able to meet deadlines
• Effective listening skills
• Efficient and effective in fast-paced environments
• Ability to give and take constructive, respectful feedback 

Desired Qualifications and Characteristics

• Familiarity with beginning farmers, farmers of color, farmers growing outdoor livestock and horticulture production
• Existing knowledge of PFI’s programs
• Experience with survey design or survey software
• Skilled in phone banking (or otherwise making large volumes of outbound phone calls)
• Appreciation and passion for PFI’s organizational mission
• A mindset of continuous improvement

This is a full-time position based in our Ames, Iowa, office with potential for a hybrid schedule. This position requires a minimum of one day in the office per month and seasonal travel around Iowa and surrounding states. The beginning hourly rate for this position is between $22.12 and $24.04 per hour ($46,000-$50,000 annually) with annual opportunity for merit salary increases and position advancement. 

PFI values its employees and is a flexible and supportive work environment. We offer employees a competitive benefits package that includes employee health insurance with 100% employer-paid premium, generous paid time off, flexible hours, six weeks of fully paid parental leave and 5% automatic 401k contribution after one year of employment. 

We also encourage employee professional development and offer a range of specialty benefits employees can use to support their wellness, sustainability and financial goals. Examples of our specialty benefits include contributions towards spouse or dependent health insurance, stipends for remote or hybrid workers and reimbursements for wellness costs, local food purchases or CSA subscriptions, student loans or eco-friendly purchases. Practical Farmers is a family-friendly employer.  

Please apply by completing an application (including contact information, cover letter, resume and references). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.