Heartland Farm in Pawnee Rock Kansas is looking for their next Director:
POSITION SUMMARY: The Director is responsible for collaboratively planning, directing, and evaluating the programs and services at Heartland Farm. Heartland Farm, an 80-acre ecological ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Peace (DSOP), strives to be an oasis of spirituality, peace, justice, refuge, education, and connection with nature, as well as source of produce for the area and model small farm in the face of climate change. The property includes large, organically-managed produce gardens and high tunnel; volunteer, guest, and on-site staff housing; strawbale arts studio and remote-site hermitage; gift shop; an open-air events pavilion; and 100-plus-year-old barn. Several miles of nature trails, creek, and two ponds highlight the natural beauty and wildlife of Kansas. Staff and volunteers offer events, workshops, and camps for both youth and adults. The Farm utilizes its herd of alpacas for its fleece and organic manure and its flock of laying hens for its egg production. The Director will passionately share care for creation with the public and seek to align the Farm’activities with the Farm’mission of stewardship of Earth and healthy living through ecologically sound agricultural and environmental practices.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
(1) Major Activity: Operations:
·         Oversees the day-to-day operations of the ministry, facilitated by weekly staff meeting.
·         Oversees and identifies maintenance needs of Farm property (including residences), equipment, and vehicles.
·         Develops, implements, evaluates, and updates strategic planning document on yearly basis with staff and Advisory Council input based on goals and objectives grounded in the mission of the DSOP.
·         Provides collaborative environment to address present and future physical, programmatic, and fundraising development.
·         Maintains committed Advisory Council to help plan and implement the mission, programs, and projects, according to the guidelines set out in the Advisory Council handbook.
·         With the Chair of the Advisory Council, plans and attends quarterly Advisory Council meeting on Farm property.
·         Represents Heartland Farm to the DSOP and the public as needed.
·         Fosters staff awareness of local, regional, and national eco-justice and creation focused groups and organizations for information and project ideas.
·         Networks and partners with local and area agencies and task forces.
·         Incorporates best practices and land-use ethics into all projects and programs.
·         Evaluates and makes recommendations to the DSOP Leadership Team concerning upgrades, additions, and procedures.
·         Interfaces with DSOP Office of Founded Ministries.
·         Travels to required meetings and attends virtual meetings of the Congregation and other necessary meetings.
·         Participates in workday activities as needed, including animal care, gardening, and maintenance.
·         Coordinates Heartland Farm’participation in the Congregation’Land Justice Futures planning.
(2) Major Activity: Program Development and Budgeting:
  • Works with the Advisory Council to develop strategies to sustain the ministry and increase funding to meet future needs.
  • Oversees event and program planning and implementation and creates appropriate staff and volunteer committees as needed.
  • Plans and initiates the budget process in accordance with the DSOP’fiscal year.
  • Researches and evaluates fiscal needs for operations and capital expenditures.
  • Works alongside both the DSOP Mission Advancement Office and grantors to find and manage grants and other alternative sources of funding that support organizational goals and objectives in compliance with guidelines, procedures, and reporting.
  • Participates in programs and events.
(3) Major Activity: Staff Management:
  • Determines staffing for entire operation.
  • Supervises staff of four: an Operations Coordinator (FT), Media/Marketing Coordinator (FT), Farm Manager (FT), and an Apprentice (PT).
  • Provides input, direction, and evaluation to staff as needed and attends and schedules weekly staff meeting to facilitate communication.
  • Completes annual congregational staff evaluation as directed by the Human Resources Director.
  • Provides, seeks out, and participates in professional development and training for staff as needed.
  • Encourages collaborative atmosphere of open communication and staff participation in planning, project implementation, and decision making.
  • Supports staff by participating in staff and volunteer activities as needed, including volunteer management and recruitment.
 
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION: The position requires four-year college degree with preference given to Environmental Science, Agriculture, or other related field.
EXPERIENCE: Experience in an administrative role including fiscal management and fundraising. Preferred experience with religious, nonprofit, or agricultural associations. An ideal candidate will have experience with farming, animal husbandry, food systems, environmental issues, or related fields.
REQUIREMENTS: Be willing to work flexible schedule that may include some weekends, evenings, and holidays. This position requires that the successful applicant have and be able to maintain valid Kansas Driver’License and no excessive ticket history. The successful candidate must pass background check and post-offer drug screening.
KNOWLEDGE: The Director will possess knowledge of, or have the ability to learn:
Ecology and organic farming principles; networking with variety of entities engaged in local and global ecology; nonprofit organizations; budgeting principles; grant management; fundraising and event planning; community outreach; volunteer management; environmental and sustainability issues; livestock, farm management, and maintenance; group facilitation techniques; working within Religious Sisters organization.
 
ABILITY: The Director will:
Communicate well in both oral and written form; problem solve; create and manage both short and long-term plans; lead, motivate and supervise employees and volunteers; oversee fiscal management; work efficiently and effectively on multiple tasks; understand eco-spirituality and concepts of justice, including eco-justice; work in collaborative style utilizing holistic principles; utilize creativity in the development of new programs and events; use and learn technology; be open-minded and accepting of people of different backgrounds; maintain broad understanding of building maintenance and land management; possess or acquire practical farm-related skills.
SKILLThe Director will:
Show passion for the Heartland Farm’mission and how it relates to the mission and spirituality of the Dominican Sisters of Peace; communicate and interact comfortably with staff, volunteers, the Office of Founded Ministries of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, the Advisory Council, and the public for the purpose of providing information, instruction, and motivation; give presentations and facilitate groups that attend programs on and off-site; develop and implement short and long term plans designed to meet established goals and objectives in alignment with the mission; show flexibility and be able to adjust to changing priorities; manage staff in to leverage individual and team strengths; create and implement budgets; apply principles of eco-justice and best practices in all ministerial situations; provide leadership in the planning and organization of programs and events; utilize computer programs, such as Microsoft Office and the internet; use practical skills in maintenance and farm management.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job.
·        Stands and walks intermittently throughout the workday, including sitting, bending, stooping; reaching, lifting, and carrying as necessary to access plant material, equipment, livestock, and supplies.
·         Manipulates various office materials, supplies, and equipment.
·         Lifts up to 50 pounds.
·        Coordinates concurrent projects and tasks.
·         Maintains deadlines and ability to cope with frequent interruptions.
·         Functions independently.
·         Performs outdoor tasks in adverse weather conditions.
·         Performs indoor tasks in conditions common in offices, barns, or greenhouses.
·         May work in or assist with other positions temporarily.
Full benefits
Pay Range 58,657.00-67,781.00 year
Resumes need to be sent to
Human Resources at
amy.mayhill@oppeace.org

A little about Heartland Farm

Heartland Farm is an oasis of peace and fleece located in the heart of Central Kansas.  The 80-acre nonprofit farm is a ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Peace and consists of a herd of alpacas, large produce gardens, spaces for education and retreat, and acres of natural habitat and trails. We are seeking a creative, mission-driven person with a passion for ecological justice to lead our organization as our longtime ministry leader transitions into retirement.

In 1987, Heartland Farm was founded in solidarity with our traditional farming neighbors during the farm crises of the 1970s and 80s. Our mission is to practice and promote stewardship of Earth and healthy living through ecologically sound agricultural and environmental practices. In addition, we engage in community collaboration through educational opportunities and offer retreat space for renewal of mind, body, and spirit.

Farm staff and volunteers engage in a diverse mix of activities, including farm duties and chores, programs, and events, all to further the mission. Major events at the Farm include Open Farm Day in spring; the five-day Peace Camp for 8- to 11-year-olds in June; and the Farm to Table Dinner fundraiser in September. Regular workshops impart artistic and/or practical skills, like the two-weekend FiberSpace events each winter, watercolor painting instruction, beer brewing, bread-making, and gardening classes, among many others. The Director will help expand the Farm’s existing programs to further our goals of educating the public on sustainable and life-enhancing topics and will help lead efforts to produce and share healthy food and conserve Heartland Farm’s 80 acres of land, trails, and wildlife.

The Farm is located in the southeast corner of Rush County, Kansas, 13 miles west of the nearest population center of Great Bend. Work at Heartland Farm means experiencing the best of rural Kansas life: meaningful work, starry skies, breathtaking sunsets, abundant wildlife, and little noise pollution, all within a 20-minute drive from small-town amenities.

As a ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Heartland Farm is dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination. We support and celebrate the unique differences of our employees and those who come to the farm, and work with multiple organizations toward the causes of eco-justice and land justice. Heartland Farm’s next leader will remain engaged with these causes and the evolving fields of study related to them and will continue to partner with organizations that further our mission.

Multiple individuals currently live full-time at the farm. The property includes four houses (one guest home, one volunteer space, one residence for the Farm Manager, and a home set aside for Dominican Sisters of Peace), as well as one tiny home, a remote Hermitage guest house, an office, a strawbale arts building, and multiple other structures and outbuildings.

The Director will be responsible for leading a staff of four: the full-time Farm Manager, the Media/Marketing Coordinator, the Operations Coordinator, and the part-time Farm Apprentice. Additionally, the Director will oversee and expand our successful volunteer program, including the oversight of volunteer management and recruitment, maintaining positive and productive relationships, and ensuring their dedicated living spaces and supplies are properly maintained. Both short- and long-term volunteers work and live on the farm through programs like Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF).

The ideal candidate will be a multi-talented, flexible thinker, a resilient problem-solver, and an experienced leader with fresh, innovative ideas. The director will serve many roles, from leader and administrator to mechanic and farmer, and will reside in or enthusiastically relocate to rural Kansas. We acknowledge that the truly ideal candidate will be eager and able to learn the wide variety of skills necessary to help a small Kansas nonprofit farm flourish.

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