Job Opportunities

The following are current job opportunities open at ARCD.  Our staff is a fun, collaborative, and passionate team of non-profit professionals. Join us in our work to build a more equitable and resilient local food system that works for all of us. Don’t see a job that is right for you? Consider volunteering!

Executive Director

POSITION: Executive Director

ORGANIZATION: Appalachian Resource Conservation and Development Council (ARCD) was founded by representatives from seven upper East Tennessee counties in 1994.   ARCD is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization serving Northeast Tennessee and beyond. ARCD strives to make a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable regional food system that serves the needs of both local producers and consumers. Our mission is to conserve natural resources and improve rural economies through community leadership and enhanced educational opportunities.

Since its founding, ARCD has stayed true to its original mission, and today boasts an annual budget of $2.6 million, a team of six staff members, and has secured over $10 million in grant funding for our regional food system in the last five years.  Learn more at www.arcd.org.

WHERE WE ARE TODAY: Our current programming includes sustainable production and business planning training for beginning farmers; peer networking and conservation workshops for women farmers and landowners; organic gardening training for family, school, and community gardeners; produce incentive programs for low-income community members; a marketing campaign for local food and farmers markets; and farmland conservation efforts. ARCD provides fiscal sponsorship for projects in the region and across the state including a farmers cooperative building a new meat processing facility, streambank restoration, and community wildfire mitigation.

ARCD seeks a dynamic and experienced executive director to continue our legacy!

RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership

  • Use your leadership to ignite and kindle the passion for our mission with all organization stakeholders – staff, board, volunteers, donors – propelling them to invite people to join in our work.
  • Build a real sense of belonging for those who have found their way to our organization, ensuring that our ecosystem is diverse, equitable and inclusive.
  • Model the leadership you look to see in others by tending to your own self care

Board Partnership

  • Build, cultivate and nurture a true partnership with the Board of Directors built on mutual respect and trust.
  • Provide the Board of Directors with the resources, information and training necessary to fulfill their duties and be organizational ambassadors.
  • Work with board committees to achieve their work and goals including the Finance and Audit, Personnel, and Governance committees.
  • Actively engage with the Governance committee to help identify prospective board members who bring the skills, attributes, lived experience, and community networks necessary for the board to be the best partner it can be.

Vision and Strategy

  • In partnership with the board and staff, align the organization around a compelling vision for the future, one that we can rally stakeholders and donors around as we secure resources, human and financial to support our work.
  • Ensure that mission and core values are developed to provide the organization with a compass to guide us toward our vision.
  • Develop goals, strategies and tactics in the form of annual plans as a key roadmap that introduces an accountability component to the strategy we develop.

Management

  • Build, lead, and retain an effective and diverse staff team of 8-10 people who are very passionate about sustainable agriculture and local food systems and dedicated to the mission and with the requisite skills to be successful in their work.
  • Establish effective decision making at all levels to ensure that voices are heard and that short- and long-term goals are met.
  • Ensure the organization is resting on a fiscally sound foundation and that relevant parties are informed about fiscal status and that financial information is communicated in a manner accessible to all.
  • Foster a work culture that emphasizes learning, collaboration and a healthy work/life balance.
  • Plan, organize, distribute, and coordinate the flow of work.
  • Ensure effective onboarding, capacity building, professional development and performance management strategies, and compliance with applicable labor laws.
  • Ensure that job descriptions are updated regularly, that qualifications for each position are clearly outlined, and that periodic assessments are made for the need for new employee positions.

Organizational and Financial Administration

  • Create and oversee the execution of a 5-year strategic plan for the organization.
  • Develop written systems for personnel management, performance reviews, financial administration, hiring, onboarding, etc.
  • Foster an environment of open communication with the staff and board.
  • Provide budget oversight, coordinate annual budget development, and perform cash flow analysis and long-range forecasts of financial needs.
  • Regularly review the operating budget as well as monthly budget-to-actuals and prepare reports for board meetings.
  • Maintain effective systems for tracking spending rates and have policies for addressing anomalies in revenue and expenses.
  • Build capacity of program managers to support responsible financial management for their assigned programs.
  • Manage staff payroll and contractor payments.
  • Ensure proper stewardship of grant funding, including ensuring that project budgets, timelines and outcomes are being met and reporting is submitted at appropriate times.

Impact

  • Oversee a programmatic portfolio that is designed with a deep understanding of the communities we serve and that aligns with our mission and our long-range plans.
  • Ensure effective systems for program evaluation and regularly evaluate the program portfolio, ever mindful of the need to adapt to the needs of our communities.
  • Bring a spirit of innovation to the program work with an eye toward piloting new ideas that could be incorporated into or will maximize existing work
  • Act as the “face” of the organization, actively and strategically engaging with the community while attending community events, networking, and public speaking.

Growing Resources

  • Serve as the fundraiser in chief of the organization, setting fundraising strategy, and being responsible for working with staff, board and volunteers to identify prospects and close gifts.
  • Bring an understanding that fundraising is relational and develop strategies that ensure that donors are nurtured from their first gift
  • Provide oversight of staff grant writers and assist in the development of project narratives and budgets.
  • Oversee fundraising events, including our annual farm to table dinner.

The Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate will embody the values of ARCD and bring leadership and strategic insights to the work through the following skills and characteristics:

  • Has a deep belief in and passion for our organization’s purpose.
  • Exudes humble confidence.
  • Compelling communicator and storyteller.
  • Keen understanding of the ability to listen, meet people where they are, and engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders.
  • Leads and manages with intention.
  • Culturally responsive and emotionally intelligent.
  • Committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Demonstrates compassion and empathy, especially in times of crisis.
  • Digitally savvy with enthusiasm about its possibilities.
  • Leads and manages with a growth mindset, open to learning and adapting.
  • Courageous and compassionate truth-teller.
  • Recognizes that leadership is a joyful responsibility.

Education and Experience

  • Undergraduate degree required; advanced degree in a related field preferred.
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in a non-profit leadership or senior managerial role.
  • Demonstrated experience with staff management, program development, monitoring, and evaluation required.
  • Successful and significant fundraising, donor management and cultivation, and grant writing experience required.
  • Computer literate – proficient in Excel, G-Suite, Dropbox, QuickBooks, internet and email platforms. Experience with CRM, fundraising platforms, and email list management platforms preferred.
  • Ability to lead and work collaboratively with diverse community partners and staff.
  • Passion for sustainable farming, conservation, and food justice.

Work Environment

  • Must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends on an as needed basis.
  • This job is primarily performed in an office setting but does include occasional visits to working agricultural operations.

Salary Benefits included:

  • Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. Salary Range: $60,000 to $72,000.
  • Flexible schedule and option for a four-day work week.
  • PTO 24-36 days annually, depending on longevity.
  • 13 paid holidays
  • Robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Application Instructions

  • Please email a cover letter, resume, and three references to admin@arcd.org by April 15th In subject line please list as “Executive Director Application – [YOUR NAME].” You may address letters to “Personnel Committee Members.”

**The Appalachian RC&D Council is committed to diversity and to equal opportunity employment. Appalachian RC&D Council does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability (including HIV status), veteran status, military obligations, or marital status. This policy applies to hiring, internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, and terminations and applies to all Appalachian RC&D employees, volunteers, members, clients, and contractors.**

 

Communications & Marketing Director

Location: Johnson City, TN, Full Time, Reports to the Executive Director

ABOUT: The Appalachian Resource Conservation & Development Council (ARCD) is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization serving Northeast Tennessee and beyond. ARCD strives to make a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable regional food system that serves the needs of both local producers and consumers. Our mission is to conserve natural resources and improve rural economies through community leadership and enhanced educational opportunities.

Our current programming includes training for beginning farmers; peer networking and conservation workshops; organic gardening training for family, school, and community gardeners; incentive programs to build local food access; a marketing campaign for local food and farmers markets; and farmland conservation efforts. ARCD provides fiscal sponsorship for regional and statewide projects including a farmers cooperative building a new meat processing facility, streambank restoration, and community wildfire mitigation.  

JOB OPPORTUNITY: Are you passionate about promoting sustainable local food systems? Do you excel in crafting compelling narratives and engaging marketing strategies? Are you in your element with webpages, communication tools, and social media? We’re seeking a creative and dynamic individual to lead our marketing efforts, drive impactful campaigns, and foster connections within our vibrant network. If you’re passionate about harnessing the power of marketing to make a meaningful difference in the local food movement, this is the perfect opportunity for you! Join our team as a Communications and Marketing Director.

Overall Core Responsibilities:

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy.
  • Manage all aspects of marketing, branding, promotion, and advertising initiatives across print, social media, website, marketing.
  • Oversee graphic design, and the creation of marketing and communications materials.
  • Oversee the maintenance and updating of our WordPress website.
  • Conduct market research to inform strategic decision-making.
  • Collaborate with staff on major event planning, including fundraisers events and the Farm Tour.
  • Maintain a calendar of events across the organization and ensure timely promotion of events and programs. 

Public & Media Relations:

  • Write and disseminate all press releases, media alerts and informational documents.
  • Serve as the main point of contact for all media and address media requests.
  • Track media coverage and work to expand and build meaningful relationships with an established media database.
  • Research media coverage and industry trends.
  • Coordinate radio campaigns, maintain annual contract with radio stations (like WETS), coordinate underwriting spots.

Graphic Design / Visual Communication:

  • Maintain brand consistency across all platforms and materials.
  • Design and create collateral for organization, fundraising, events, and campaigns, with input from the staff Team, such as the Annual report, posters, infographics, program brochures, and other marketing and communications materials
  • Curate and design monthly e-newsletters
  • Maintain a photo and video library.

Digital (Web) Media:

  •  Social Media:  
    • Manage existing social media platforms, curate and create regular content, respond to comments and messages, oversee paid marketing, and identify new opportunities to remain current with trends and best practices.
    • Lead social media strategies that ensure all content aligns with the ARCDs mission, vision, and marketing goals.
  • Website:
    • Maintain functional aspects of the website (domain registration, hosting, etc) and work with our remote IT company to solve any technical issues.
    • Create and update content for ARCD’s website, including program content, blogs, and events, collaborating with a web developer when necessary.
    • Utilize assessment tools such as Google Analytics to analyze website performance and identify improvements in user experience.
  • Email Marketing:
    • Create email campaigns, including monthly eNewsletter, and coordinate with programming and fundraising staff to ensure timely content creation.
    • Oversee email lists, segmentation and content development.
    • Analyze email metrics, sharing results and adjust strategies based on outcomes.

Digital Fundraising:

  • Create thoughtful, educational content and campaigns to engage current, new, and prospective donors with our work.
  • Enhance stewardship of donor communications by creating follow-up content and campaigns for donors.
  • Develop toolkits, in collaboration with other ARCD staff, that empower constituents and community members to fundraise digitally for events and other crowdfunding campaigns.

Team Work

  • Establish team meetings and implement processes to determine communication needs, strategy, schedule and opportunities for each program.
  • Work across the staff team and all programs to ensure consistency and accuracy for publications, website, and media.

Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, or related field.
  • 3+ years of related experience in marketing and communications.
  • 3+ years of related experience in non-profit agency operations is desirable.
  •  Budget management and cost estimating is desirable.

Competencies:

  • Must have experience with WordPress management and social media platforms.
  • Must have experience with Microsoft Office products, Adobe Acrobat, email marketing platforms, CRM platforms, and digital design software.
  • Strong writing and graphic design skills.
  • Experience with creating and executing strategic marketing plans.
  • Excellent project management and organizational skills.
  • Collaborative mindset and willingness to assist with various events.
  • Data collection and compilation experience preferred.

Work Environment 

  • Must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends on an as needed basis.
  • This job is performed mainly in an office setting but will include occasional visits to working agricultural operations.

Salary

  • Will be decided based on experience – Range $45,000 to $50,000

Benefits

  • Flexible schedule and option for a four day work week.
  • PTO 24-36 days annually, depending on longevity.
  • 13 paid holidays per year.
  • Employee Assistance Plan offers a variety of benefits for the employee and their family, for counseling, work-life resources, job coaching, legal and financial consultation.

Application Instructions

  • Please submit a resume, cover letter, and short digital portfolio to Lexy Close at info@arcd.org by March 31st. In subject line please list as  “ARCD – Communications & Marketing Director Application – YOUR NAME”
  • The digital portfolio should demonstrate both your written and design skills.

The Appalachian RC&D Council is committed to diversity and to equal opportunity employment. Appalachian RC&D Council does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability (including HIV status), veteran status, military obligations, or marital status. This policy applies to hiring, internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, and terminations and applies to all Appalachian RC&D employees, volunteers, members, clients, and contractors.