Operations Manager

About Farm Discovery and Live Earth Farm

Live Earth Farm, established in 1996, is a 150-acre diversified, organic, family farm overlooking the Pajaro Valley in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains in California. Live Earth runs a year-round CSA with over 800 members, growing over 50 different fruits and vegetables surrounded by a native landscape of redwoods and oak woodland. Produce is directly marketed through local farmer’s markets, restaurants, a thriving web store, and our weekly CSA program.

The education programs at Live Earth Farm began with the farm in 1996. Farm Discovery at Live Earth was formally established as a nonprofit organization in 2007 to compliment and expand the educational programs at Live Earth Farm. FD hosts more than 3500 children and families on the farm each year for farm based, hands-on learning opportunities through 9 different programs. Learn more about us at farmdiscovery.org

Farm Discovery has a consistent track record of solid financial standing, and we’re on a growth trajectory. We are now looking for a new person to join our team and take a leadership position to drive our farm and food programming forward into our next decade of work. You should be ready to hit the ground running, implementing our existing youth programming, hiring and training support staff, and developing programs to take Farm Discovery to the next level shortly after.

Position Description
We are looking for a highly competent, outgoing, detail-oriented and driven person to join our staff as Operations Manager. The Operations Manager will oversee the day-to-day operations of Farm Discovery, optimizing processes, managing resources, ensuring quality control, developing strategies, and leading teams to achieve organizational goals, by implementing improvements and coordinating various departments to maintain efficiency and productivity within the organization. You will play a key role in strategic planning and ensuring smooth execution of organization operations.

Education programs include but are not limited to: seasonal field trips and Farm School (April-June & Sept-Nov), a weekly immersive program (Sept-June), drop in programs (year round), Farm Camps, Summer Leader in Training and job programs (June-July), a partnership with Food What?! (March-Oct) and internships, as well as Upicks, Family Camps, Field Workdays and Farm to Table Experiences. This position will oversee the Program Team and Field Manager, be an onsite resource for the Development Team and report to the Executive Director in the planning, funding, implementation, evaluation and development of core programs.

Responsibilities

Program & Events Execution (35%)

• Manage the execution and staffing of all programs: field trips, Wavecrest, Farm School, Farm Camps, Internships, Live-in Volunteers, Events and school partnerships.
• Recruit, train and manage staff and volunteers.
• Further develop and implement Docent program including recruitment, training, and cultivating docent relationships.
• Manage Food What?!, Wavecrest and other partnerships.
• Design, revise, and review curriculum for current, pilot and future education programs.
• Direct Collaboration with Field Manager and Interns to develop garden and fields to support and enhance education programs, and expand value added product line.
• Manage and develop weekend event programs such as workshops, corporate events, birthday parties, and farm campouts.
• Direct marketing and outreach to promote programs and events at Farm Discovery.
• Maintain the weekend schedule, attend all events.
• Communicate with the Farm Discovery team about all events and needs
• Oversee communication with clients to answer questions, coordinate payment, and follow up.
• Oversee quick, effective and accurate communication with clients, visitors, partners, volunteers, vendors and students.
• Lead program outreach to local and regional agricultural and business communities to help develop relationships to help sustain Farm Discovery programs.
• Facilitate corporate volunteer partnerships.
• Manage care and maintenance of educational facilities.
• Supervise and perform periodic inventory of tools and supplies. Manage appropriate purchases and repairs.
• Design, manage and execute events with collaboration from entire staff.
• Process improvement: Analyze existing processes, identifying inefficiencies, and implementing changes to streamline operations and maximize productivity.

Organization Capacity, Development and Administration (35%)

• Co-create and co-manage annual organization and program budgets with Executive Director, Development Officer and Board.
• Act as a friendly ambassador, advocate and asker welcoming the public & upholding the mission of Farm Discovery and Live Earth Farm.
• Assist with fundraising efforts in collaboration with the Farm Discovery team.
• Co-create annual report with Executive Director & Development Officer.
• Staff management: Lead and motivate teams, providing training, and managing performance to optimize employee productivity.
• Performance monitoring: Track key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate operational effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
• Compliance management: Ensure adherence to relevant regulations and industry standards.
• Data analysis:Utilize data to inform decision-making and identify trends impacting operations.

Program Assessment, Evaluation and Data Management (15%)

• Develop and implement assessments and program evaluation to measure program outcomes and provide data for grant writing and fundraising goals.
• Administer documentation of assessments and program evaluation with support of Education Associate.
• Direct maintenance of Farm Discovery contact, program participant database (Salesforce software).
• Collaborate to recruit, train and oversee volunteer performed data entry.
• Quality control: Monitor and maintain quality standards across all aspects of operations to deliver high-quality products or services.

Program Scheduling, Management, Outreach and Communications (15%)

• Work with staff to quickly and efficiently manage fee and donation collection and invoicing.
• Support fundraising efforts, and manage those directly funding programs.
• Oversee development and publishing of quarterly newsletter.
• Manage program related web, blog and social media content.
• Represent Farm Discovery at local events, networks and service club meetings.
• Design and manage outreach processes for programs.

Required Qualifications:

• Commitment to a long-term position with room for growth.
• 2-3 years professional experiences or experience in non-profit administration and/or development.
• At least 2 years experience working with youth of all ages, infants through college age.
• Strong facilitation and group management skills, especially in an outdoor education setting, ability to motivate and manage teams effectively.
• Project management: Ability to plan, execute, and monitor projects to meet deadlines
• Technical expertise: Understanding of relevant operational systems and technology
• Financial acumen: Knowledge of budgeting and financial management principles
• Bilingual Spanish speaker.
• Knowledge of and experience with low-income communities and underserved communities of color.
• Passion for building community and deep relationships through food and agriculture.
• Positive, creative, flexible, and takes initiative.
• Ability to work independently, in team setting, and in fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Completes tasks successfully and within specified deadlines: demonstrates strong time management skills implementing programs on time and on budget.
• Dependable with thorough follow through.
• Ability to handle multiple programs/projects at once; strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Good communication skills: verbal, written, electronic and with a variety of audiences.
• Highly competent in use of computers and necessary technology on a daily basis; additional software experience a plus (salesforce, farm management tools, social media).
• Physically fit to meet the demands of working on farm with youth, experience/ability to dig beds by hand and with a BCS and the ability to lift 50lbs.
• Exemplify tools or strategies for maintaining self-care and personal well being.
• Willingness to work non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends as farm/programs demand.
• Valid California Driver’s license and vehicle for personal travel.

Preferred:

• At least 1 year of organic farming production including crop planning, greenhouse, irrigation, cultivation, pest and disease control, harvest and post-harvest handling, CSA/market, and cover crop experience.
• Cultural identity and lived experience relevant to the youth we serve.
• Rooted in Santa Cruz County, particularly the Pajaro Valley.
• Significant cooking experience—catering experience a plus.

Work Setting

• Shared office environment in the Education Facility on our organic farm. Seasonally, some of the work can be done remotely and on own schedule, 5 days a week onsite required March through November
• This is a 40 hours per week, full time position, and 1-2 weekend events a month, year-round and especially spring, summer and fall. Farm Discovery office hours are 8-4 Monday through Friday.

Duration

The position will be filled immediately. We are most interested in hiring someone willing to make a long term, multi-year commitment. We are looking for someone who wants to grow with our nonprofit over the years.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $65,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $65,000 - $70,000