Program Manager

About OrCAN

Oregon Climate and Agriculture Network’s mission is to convene an inclusive, producer-centered network to promote soil health and climate resilience across Oregon through collaboration, education, and advocacy. We work with over 1,200 farm service providers, producers, non-profits, researchers, and policy makers across the state. Our organizational values include Stewardship, Connection and Community, Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

This is an exciting time at OrCAN as we are wrapping up our pilot year of the state-wide Soil Health Network! This position will steward the development of the Soil Health Network.

Position Overview

This position is responsible for management of OrCAN’s network development, collaborative projects, trainings and events, and communications. The position will require a combination of program leadership, partner collaboration, event planning, and the ability to create and provide resources and information, all for a growing network.

Skills and Qualities:

• Strong interest in improving the soil health and resilience of Oregon’s farms and ranches
• Familiarity and experience with soil health principles and practices
• At least 3 years of experience as a technical assistance/farm service provider supporting producers with soil health, as a farmer/producer implementing soil health practices, or equivalent experience
• Familiarity with Oregon’s food system and agricultural community
• Ability to work collaboratively with partners and also work across differences
• Proactive and organized, with keen attention to detail and follow through
• Experience with project or program management and evaluation
• Strong written and verbal skills including public speaking and meeting facilitation
• Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to communicate openly and directly with co-workers and community members
• Background and experience advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and social and racial justice
• Experience with organizing events or virtual workshops
• Proficiency with Google Suite (including docs, forms, and sheets), helpful

Responsibilities

Network Development and Collaborative Projects

• Coordinate OrCAN’s statewide Soil Health Network, establishing and maintaining formal partnerships with regional hubs, culturally-specific support organizations, and state-wide resource people.
• Build OrCAN’s network through outreach and partnership development.
• Evaluate the impact of the Soil Health Network using OrCAN’s outcomes and indicators of success and Network Lead reports, in partnership with a Program Advisory Board.
• Manage OrCAN’s role in collaborative projects with partners including events, meetings, and projects as funding and capacity allows. Collaborative projects include promoting and engaging producers in partners’ educational events and funding opportunities.
• Engage OrCAN’s community in relevant state and federal programs.

Trainings and Events

• Plan, implement, and promote OrCAN’s virtual and in-person events including coordinating content, coordinating with presenters, and organizing resource materials.
• Host events, including OrCAN’s 2027 Soil Health Summit, with support from an advisory committee and OrCAN’s Executive Director.
• Evaluate effectiveness of trainings and events.

Communications

• Share relevant events and resources with the Network via email, blog posts, and social media with editing and design support from Communications Assistant.
• Maintain, improve and update resources on OrCAN’s website, with support from Communications Assistant.
• Identify gaps in relevant information and tools available on a state-wide level (for example research, fact sheets, demonstration videos).
• Develop, or coordinate with partners on development of, new resources to address and fill gaps.
• Conduct outreach and presentations at conferences and events.
• Respond to requests for information from OrCAN’s network, referring requests to partners as appropriate.

Other Organizational Support

• Recruit, coordinate, and oversee OrCAN’s Program Advisory Board, including hosting regular meetings and providing updates on program work.
• Advise on strategy and priorities related to OrCAN’s policy work as needed or requested, and support advocacy efforts, primarily by engaging OrCAN’s community in advocacy opportunities.
• Assist with fundraising including writing grant proposals, attending donor meetings and drafting reports to funders.

We have a generous paid-time-off (PTO) and holiday policy. This position is eligible for benefits, including: health, vision, and dental insurance; short-term and long-term disability; 401(k) retirement plan with up to 3% employer match; life insurance; flexible spending arrangement (FSA); and professional development opportunities. Reimbursement is available for office space and a portion of phone costs required for the position.