JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
PLEASE POST OR CIRCULATE TO INTERESTED PERSONS
The Center for Rural Affairs is seeking new staff with responsibility
for farm and rural policy reform initiatives. We will hire one new
staff person, either a Nebraska Issues Project Leader or a Program
Leader with broader responsibilities that include leadership of the
Nebraska Issues Project.
1. Program Leader: The Center seeks a Program Leader for the half of
its program composed of farm and rural policy reform initiatives.
Program activities include policy analysis, grassroots organizing and
education, policy advocacy, media outreach and coalition building. The
issues addressed include school finance policy, state economic
development policy, federal farm policy, federal research policy;
technology assessment; agricultural conservation policy, agricultural
marketing policy - especially as it affects livestock concentration,
beginning farmer programs and state restrictions on corporate farming.
Responsibilities
Program Leader is a senior level position reporting directly to the
Director. The Program Leader is responsible for half of the Center's
program and six to seven staff. Responsibilities include program
development; program evaluation and strategic planning; hiring and staff
supervision; working with boards, committees, national coalitions, and
task forces; grant preparation and management; media outreach and
communications, and direct involvement in the work of the program.
We seek demonstrated ability in public speaking, hiring and staff
supervision, oral and written communication, grant writing,
interpersonal relations, policy analysis, critical thinking and
strategic thinking. We seek initiative, tenacity, ability to motivate
and work with people, willingness to travel, and commitment to social
justice and environmental stewardship. Experience in policy advocacy,
organizing and supervision are desired. Both internal and external
candidates will be considered.
This position is based in Walthill, a community of 800 people in
northeast Nebraska, about 25 miles south of Sioux City, Iowa. The
starting salary is $35,000. The benefit package is described below.
The preferred deadline to submit applications is May 29,1998 but
applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
2. Project Leader: The Center is hiring for a full-time project leader
for the Nebraska Issues Project. The project leader engages grassroots
Nebraskans in policy change to improve the quality of life, the
environment and economic opportunity in rural Nebraska.
At this time the project focuses on school finance reform, fair
taxation, and ensuring a quality education for all of Nebraska's youth.
We are also in the process of expanding our work to include rural
economic development policy. In this work we plan to engage Center
program participants in changing Nebraska's economic development policy
to benefit micro-enterprises and self-employed people.
Responsibilities
The Project Leader position is a mid-level management position reporting
directly to the Program Leader. The Project Leader will be responsible
for grassroots organizing and education; possible supervision of one
staff person; research and critical policy analysis; policy advocacy and
lobbying; community leadership development; project fundraising; project
evaluation; budget management; writing news releases, op-ed and
newsletter articles, action alerts and reports, and will serve as media
spokesperson for the project.
We seek demonstrated ability in effective public speaking, oral and
written communication, working with the media, grant writing,
interpersonal relations, policy analysis, critical thinking and
strategic thinking. We seek initiative, tenacity, ability to motivate
and work with people, willingness to travel, and commitment to social
justice and environmental stewardship.
The position will be based in Walthill, a community of 800 people in
northeast Nebraska, about 25 miles south of Sioux City, Iowa. We may
consider exceptionally qualified applicants based elsewhere in Nebraska.
Starting salary will be from $29,500 to $30,500. The benefit package is
described below. The application deadline is May 15, 1998.
Benefits
Benefits for both positions are excellent, including:
* Social Security contributions
* Nebraska Workers' Compensation
* Nebraska Unemployment Insurance
* 13-19 paid vacation days per year (depending on years of service)
* 10 paid holidays per year
* Excellent medical insurance for employee and family - premiums are
entirely Center-paid
* Dental insurance for employee and family - premiums are entirely
Center-paid
* Life insurance and long term disability insurance subject to and in
accordance with the terms of the policies
*Cafeteria benefit plan (employer contributes $400)
* Employer contributions to a retirement fund (after two years of
employment)
How to Apply
Submit your resume, references (including recent supervisors), a short
writing sample and a cover letter of no more than two pages responding
to the following questions:
* Why are you interested in this position and how does it relate to your
personal goals?
* What are the most significant issues confronting agricultural
communities and how can they be addressed?
* What are your most significant accomplishments?
* What are your strengths (provide examples that demonstrate your
strengths)
Indicate which of the positions you are pursuing. If you wish to be
considered for both, say so, but do not submit two applications.
Address your application to Chuck Hassebrook, Program Director, Center
for Rural Affairs, P.O. Box 406, Walthill, NE 68067.
About the Center for Rural Affairs
The Center for Rural Affairs was formed by rural Nebraskans concerned
about the decline of family farms and rural communities. It was
chartered in 1973 under Nebraska state law as a private, non-profit
corporation headquartered in Walthill.
The Center has developed a national reputation for its prominent work on
federal and state policy, as well as its pioneering work with rural
people to strengthen their communities. We fight for family farming,
small scale entrepreneurship, strong rural communities and sustainable
agriculture. We believe that:
* The people who work the land should have meaningful opportunities to
own and control it;
* All people - rural and urban - are entitled to decent economic
opportunities that support quality lives;
* The entrepreneurship of rural people should be nurtured and supported
to establish new self-employment opportunities;
* Small communities have value;
* We have a responsibility to leave the land as well or better than we
receive it. The public must share in that responsibility.
The Center is governed by a volunteer board of directors. About half of
the board are farmers and ranchers; the rest are business people,
educators and civic workers. The board's policies and programs are
implemented by a staff of 26. The Center has a budget of about $1.6
million.
Financial support comes from grants and contracts from private and
public sources, churches and foundations, sales of publications, fees
for services and individual contributions. The Center is not a
membership organization.
Mission Statement of the Center for Rural Affairs
The Center is committed to communities that stand for social justice,
economic opportunity, and environmental stewardship. We encourage people
to accept both personal and social responsibility for creating such
communities. We provide opportunities for people to participate in the
decisions that shape the quality of their lives and the futures of their
communities. The Center engages in research, education, advocacy, and
service work to further this vision of rural America.
Don Ralston
Administrative Director
Center for Rural Affairs
PO Box 406
Walthill NE 68067
voice: (402) 846-5428
email: donr@cfra.org
http://www.cfra.org
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