Position Summary

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Foundation is seeking a new team member to join the team who is passionate about agriculture. The Associate Director, Foundation Programs will support a variety of programs, grants, and cooperative agreements within the Foundation and on behalf of our members, with an emphasis on programs involving natural resources. Specifically, this role will have responsibility for tasks that support the Foundation's cooperative agreement with US EPA - Gulf of Mexico Program, managing the program and sub-awards, grant writing, overseeing program contracts and regulatory compliance and tracking financial activities. The candidate will have the opportunity to build relationships and collaborate with leaders from state departments of agriculture from all 50 states and four US territories, government entities and major agricultural organizations.

Members of the NASDA Foundation Team earn a competitive salary and enjoy an excellent work culture at an organization with exceptional perks, including a flexible schedule and incredible mission.

About NASDA & the NASDA Foundation

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association representing the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the state departments of agriculture. NASDA grows and enhances American food and agricultural communities through policy, partnerships, and public engagement.

The NASDA Foundation is the only educational and research organization that directly serves the nation's state departments of agriculture. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to enhance American food and agricultural communities through education, outreach and research.

We recognize that to achieve our goals, we need employees who are as passionate about agriculture as we are. We strive to create a positive work environment that our employees can be proud of and where they can build their careers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Manage detailed work plans and budgets to meet the deliverables of the US EPA - Gulf of Mexico Cooperative Agreement
• Prepare and meet all deadlines for submitting all required CA documents including budgets, midyear, and end-of-year reports to meet the reporting requirement of the CA
• Oversee and conduct compliance with federal and/or state requirements and deadlines
• Provide follow up to communication requests from state partners, federal agencies, and NASDA staff
• Assist in the development and administration of the NASDA Foundation programs, maintaining program contracts and regulatory compliance.
• Execute project and fiduciary management successfully, including the preparation and maintenance of records and reports for awarded grants throughout the grant period.
• Communicate with NASDA members who are commissioners, secretaries, directors of state departments of agriculture, and state staff in departments of agriculture.
• Pursue and maintain excellence in enhancing the NASDA Foundation brand with NASDA stakeholders, including federal agencies, Congressional offices, and other organizations.
• Build relationships and cultivate partnerships with external stakeholders to advance the NASDA Foundation's priorities.
• Work closely with leadership to execute the NASDA Foundation Strategic Plan goals and identify opportunities for alignment with the NASDA Strategic Plan.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• 7 years of experience; preference towards experience in agriculture or natural resource-related areas.
• A college degree is required. A BA/BS or advanced degree in agriculture related topics (including education, communications, policy, political science, public policy, economics, or other program related to agriculture, food, and(or) natural resources is desirable.
• A passion for agriculture, community enhancement, and growth.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, or private foundation grants.
• Basic understanding of how state departments of agriculture function and serve their agricultural communities.
• Demonstrated ability to build and leverage strategic relationships with government officials, stakeholders, partners, and other relevant organizations.
• Project management experience is necessary, with project management certification a plus.
• Ability to multi-task in an energetic, deadline-oriented work environment.
• Exceptional critical thinking skills. Ability to exercise sound judgment and resolve problems.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; strong presentation skills.
• Experience with financial and budget management practices.
• Superior interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across all levels of an organization.
• Capacity to work as an influential member of a team, while being self-motivated.
• High level of independence in day-to-day tasks.
• A demonstrable desire to continuously learn, self-develop, and pursue excellence in the job.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

• Attendance at occasional meetings outside of the office and in the Washington, DC area
• 30% Occasional travel
• Hybrid work environment
• Physical ability to work on a computer at a desk for long periods
• Physical ability to occasionally lift to 25 pounds

WORK SCHEDULE

This full-time, exempt position works in either a remote scenario or within the NASDA headquarters at 4350 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA, two blocks from the Ballston Metro Station (orange and silver lines).

We offer a hybrid work schedule, with three days in the office and two days working from home.

Benefits:

• PTO for vacation, sick leave, and volunteer hours
• Tuition reimbursement
• Professional development
• 401k

Salary -$85,000.00 annually

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" relationship.

We understand your time is valuable, so we have a rapid and easy application process. Please complete our initial 3-minute, mobile-friendly application and attach your cover letter and resume to your application. Applications without a cover letter and resume will not be considered. We look forward to meeting you!

- If you have issues attaching your cover letter to the application, please email it to careers@nasda.org.

Location: 22203

NASDA does not discriminate in employment practices or programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, political beliefs, or family status.

You will have to pass a background check