Organic Technical Specialist

Position Summary:

CCOF Foundation is seeking an Organic Technical Specialist who supports producers to transition to organic through one-on-one technical assistance.

You will have the opportunity to make an impact in the organic industry with your outstanding project management, clear communication, and building relationships skills while sharing a deep passion for our mission to advance organic agriculture for a healthy world.

This is a full-time, non-exempt position that reports to the CCOF Foundation Education Manager. This is a California-based remote position.

Essential Responsibilities:

Provide producers interested in transitioning to organic certification with direct support to implement organic production practices and create Organic System Plans (OSPs).

Oversee and implement the delivery of customized technical assistance to Organic Transition Program grantees.

Create and deliver accessible educational resources, curriculum and presentations focused on organic transition.

Build trusting, valued relationships with grantees and program partners.

Specific duties:

Provide one-on-one technical assistance to Organic Transition grantees through assessments that provide understanding and identification of individual producer needs, interviews, site-visits, regular text/phone/written communication, and customized organic transition action plans that include best practices.

Design, deliver, and maintain up-to-date educational resources on organic topics such as, but not limited to:

Organic certification: Organic System Plans, recordkeeping, cost-share, application

Organic production: Crop-specific production practices, nutrient management, soil health, integrated pest management, ecosystem restoration, and regenerative organic practices

County, state, and federal regulations: Water, food safety, land-use

Opportunities and support: Partner organization resources, other technical service providers, grant and funding opportunities, government programs (NRCS, RCD)

Collaborate with and advise partner organizations on projects focused on organic transition.

Maintain program recordkeeping and data management to track program efficacy, including management of a detailed database of client needs and services delivered.

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of resources and funding opportunities for small and medium scale organic and transitioning producers. Attend continuing education opportunities where appropriate and as assigned.

Provide support for webinars and in-person events with logistics and public speaking.

Maintain organized expense records and program accounting.

Maintain work instructions for internal processes related to this position.

Occasionally write promotional content for programs including blogs, social media posts, and others.

Required Qualifications

In-depth understanding of organic agriculture production methods and USDA National Organic Program certification with strong commitment to advancing organic agriculture for a healthy world.

Computer proficiency: Competency using Microsoft Suite with confidence and efficiency. Ability to effectively manage emails, create professional documents and presentations, and efficiently handle spreadsheets.

Relationship-building: Ability to work in partnership, build trust, inspire, and motivate others. Work comfortably with diverse or marginalized populations.

Clear, precise, compassionate communications skills: Articulate thoughts and express ideas effectively using written and verbal communication skills (to inform, instruct, and persuade) to multiple audiences, as well as to listen for meaning and understanding. Enthusiasm for public speaking.

Ability to handle multiple complex projects simultaneously with a positive can-do attitude and minimal supervision.

Critical thinking and problem-solving: Provide insightful, pragmatic, equitable, and sustainable ways to tackle common challenges and produce positive change.

Desired Qualifications

Experience providing direct technical assistance to organic and transitional organic producers.

Experience in organic production systems.

Bilingual proficiency in English and one language spoken by historically underserved producers in California including Spanish, Hmong, Lao, etc., with the ability to sufficiently communicate verbally and in writing.

Knowledge and familiarity with DEI principles. Willing to talk about race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, ability, or gender and the ways our identities shape our experience at work. Understands the historical context for inequities and its present-day implications.

Experience working remotely with in-office and remote teams.

Supervisory Responsibilities or Key Relationships:

This role does not have any supervisory responsibilities.

Physical and Travel Requirements:

Ability to work occasional nights and weekends.

Ability to travel to deliver technical assistance and attend events in California’s Central Valley (about 3 days per month.)

Ability to visit agricultural production sites and stand and walk for several hours.

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Other duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Compensation: CCOF takes pride in offering competitive pay and benefits such as superb health plans, 401(k) program, and generous sick/personal and vacation time. The Organic Technical Specialist’s starting salary range will be $64,674 – $72,000 and will depend on qualifications and experience.

Hiring Process: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Interested applicants, please submit the following documents:

Cover letter summarizing your interest in CCOF and the position, and qualifications

Current resume

List of three professional references

Incomplete applications will not be considered. No phone calls, please. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Thank you for your interest.

CCOF is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage people with diverse backgrounds and experience to apply.

Inclusivity is a core value at CCOF. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable work and learning environment for all employees. We believe every member of our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design and deliver solutions.