Farm and Community Manager

Are you passionate about empowering Native Nations and creating lasting community impact? The Center for Rural Affairs is seeking a dynamic and dedicated Farm and Community Manager to lead transformative initiatives in food sovereignty, economic development, health, and education.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with tribal leaders, community partners, and a talented team to create innovative solutions tailored to the unique needs of northeast Nebraska's Native communities. This is more than just a job - it's a chance to make a meaningful difference. As the Farm and Community Manager, you'll oversee programs that tackle critical issues like food security and small business development while promoting health equity and cultural sustainability. Your work will strengthen community partnerships, support local economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for Native Nations.

The Center for Rural Affairs is a dynamic, energetic non-profit organization working to build a better rural future for all. We've done this work for over 50 years and we do it from rural places with a flexible work environment. Our work creates opportunities for beginning farmers, new business owners, and first-time advocates. The Center's work is rooted in principles of diversity and inclusion. We believe that a diversity of people and ideas strengthens our work, our workplace, and our communities. We celebrate this diversity and we are committed to advancing practices that create an equitable and inclusive workplace. We take equal opportunity seriously and we welcome applicants from historically underserved audiences.

What You'll Do

• Assist the Farm and Community Director in managing project activities and developing program strategies for Native American initiatives.
• Identify and cultivate partnerships and new opportunities for economic and community development while maintaining existing collaborations.
• Build and sustain positive relationships with community leaders, partners, and team members to foster collaboration and shared success.
• Guide and support staff and contractors through direction, feedback, and recognition via check-ins, team meetings, and annual reviews.
• Oversee project activities, training, and events to meet goals and align with grant requirements, advancing economic and community development objectives.
• Manage project budgets to ensure responsible stewardship of resources in line with funder guidelines and organizational priorities.
• Promote program successes through collaboration with the communications team, developing outreach materials, and managing media needs.
• Collaborate with technical experts and local organizations to enhance impact, expand food sovereignty initiatives, support small businesses, and drive other community priorities.

Keys to Success (the must-haves)

• Relationship-building: You know how to talk with people to learn what needs they have through conversation and inquiry. People trust you because you're efficient with their time and have their best interests in mind.
• Drive to achieve results: You know how to work to your strengths to achieve your own ambitious goals, and you anticipate hurdles as merely a momentary inconvenience.
• Inclusive leadership and management: You approach leadership in your work with a mindset of 'power with' rather than 'power over' and regularly include others with lived experience in decision-making.
• Setting and managing priorities: You have experience managing multiple projects and keeping tasks from slipping through the cracks.
• Commitment to racial equity and social justice: You recognize the role of race, income, age, immigration status, and other identities in addressing barriers to capital access.

Who You Are

• You are a seasoned professional with a strong track record of building collaborative relationships with tribal governments, community leaders, and diverse stakeholders to drive shared objectives.
• You have proven experience managing multi-faceted projects, including planning, execution, and evaluation, to achieve economic and community development goals.
• You possess a competitive drive and are creative when prospecting clients.
• You have financial acumen and an affinity for the details.
• You have experience working with Native Nations or rural communities, with a deep understanding of cultural traditions, challenges, and opportunities for food sovereignty, small business development, and health education.

Additional Requirements

• This is a full-time exempt position based in Walthill, NE or Hartington, NE or a Location flexibility in Northeast Nebraska may be offered to the right candidate.
• This position will require occasional travel by car to meet with community partners and individuals and include both overnight and out-of-state travel on occasion.
• Compensation and benefits: This position has a salary range of $59,000 - $72,000 with top-notch benefits that have a cash value of $10,000 to $29,500, depending on family status and tenure with the Center.

Salary : $59,000 - $72,000