Engagement Manager

ABOUT BLACK FARMERS COLLECTIVE

Black Farmers Collective (BFC) is a 501(c)3 that works to create a local, sustainable Black-led food system by developing a cooperative network of food system actors, acquiring and stewarding land, facilitating food system education, and creating space for Black liberation in healing and joy. It presently operates:

Yes Farm:

Our quaint, yet robust, farm occupies 1.5 acres of space along I-5 at Yesler Terrace in Seattle. As our inaugural farm, we’ve leveraged this asset to serve the community by providing educational programming; partnering with local Universities and K-12 Programs alike. We are modeling sustainable urban agriculture centered around the needs of the communities who are likely to experience the impacts of health disparities as a result of food apartheid, redlining + gentrification, and systemic oppression.

Small Axe Farm:

Serves as our Incubator Farm, stretching across 4 acres. We utilize this space as a “teaching farm” which aims to support emerging BIPOC Land Stewards (Farmers) by providing access to land, infrastructure, business development and farm training resources– in addition to a Universal Basic Income (UBI). Small Axe Farm is located in the Sammamish Valley, alongside the Sammamish River, and just outside of the Woodinville City Limits in King County.

Yes Forest:

Situated on our Yes Farm Site, we’re working to restore our wooded tree-canopy habitat with native plants to create an Urban Forest, to include a trail that connects the Urban Farm to communities on the North and South of the green space while reducing the air and noise pollution from the I-5 Corridor.

These green spaces are intended to provide opportunities for all through workshops + educational programs in addition to food sovereignty, with the importance of centering Black + Afro-Indigenous practices through historical relevance and growing food.

We envision Black liberation through food sovereignty in spaces built on cooperation and interconnectedness with the environment and community, where our knowledge and creativity are boundless.

KEY SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Vision & Planning: Support the organization’s mission, goals, and strategic plan.

Organizational Culture & Equity: Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and healthy work environment.

Create Spaces: Where communities gather to transfer shared-knowledge, build strategy to address Food + Land Sovereignty, and strengthen Black liberation through joy and healing.

THE ENGAGEMENT MANAGER ROLE WILL CULTIVATE PRIORITIES IN:

Lead Pollinator + Native Species Farm and Grounds Operations (45%)

• Manage farm operations, including seeding, watering, dead-heading, pruning, harvesting, seed saving, and propagation of annual flowers and native plants.
• Manage all aspects of horticulture operations including weeding, planting, irrigation, trellising, hoop house management, and cover cropping.
• Manage applicable site assessments to analyze - soil quality, air quality, cistern drain/ refill and optimal health of Site
• Communicate site, supplies, grounds - including trash, maintenance, and pest management requests to leadership

Educational Programming & Community Engagement - (45%)

• Manage Anchored Partners, such as local Universities, K-12 Schools, Activation Partners, Etc. with Agricultural and Horticultural Programs and/ or Workshops
• Support Site-Wide Volunteer Opportunities

Organizational Operations and Programming Support (10%)

• Contribute to reporting and recording systems measuring program impact to support organizations mission including, supporting a robust list of internal and external partnerships; with intention to align BFC’s work to those entities
• Participate in staff meetings and team-wide collaboration
• Nurture collaborative relationships with partner organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, and community stakeholders to enhance program effectiveness and expand available resources.

An aligned candidate would possess the following Qualifications:

Attentive Relationship Builder: You are rooted in community and have a deep cultural competency with the communities Black Farmers Collective serves. Part of your job is connecting with people from many diverse backgrounds. You find (and even create) opportunities to deepen connections and build authentic, mutual relationships with visitors and different stakeholders.

Communicative and Collaborative: You communicate well with others, including sharing context and asking questions to understand others’ perspectives. You organize and share information effectively. You listen closely to understand needs or concerns and take steps based on that input. You get back to people in a timely manner. You seek out and are able to hear, reflect, act on, and learn from feedback.

Adaptability, Problem Solving and Resilience: You are always ready to take advantage of unexpected opportunities and address obstacles. You adapt to the evolving needs of the organization and think several steps ahead to develop solutions. You look for the root of both simple and complex problems. You bounce back from setbacks and turn hurdles into learning opportunities.

Equity driven: You recognize ways that race and other identities intersect in the work, especially with communities we serve. You identify potential for bias and actively work to minimize inequities in collaborative processes. You are able to reflect on and empathetically describe the impact of one’s own identities—and those of others—in a given situation, decision, or process.

Additionally, we are searching for aligned candidates who possess the following knowledge, skills, and qualifications:

• At least three - five years experience working in agriculture + horticulture, urban farming or public green spaces; preference given to those with experiences working in afro-indigenous spaces
• strong leadership skills; desire to take initiative
• educational background in environmental justice with an understudy is social work or psychology (or related experiences in lieu of education)
• Experience engaging with global-majority communities (through lived experience or professional + work experience)
• Able to lift, pull, and push up to 40 lbs; embracing the physical nature of this work.
• A valid WA State Driver’s License.
• Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions, required.
• Passion for and knowledge of food sovereignty and food justice.
• Carpentry, maintenance, or power tool operation experience.

HOURS REQUIRED TO FULFILL THIS ROLE:

Tuesday, 9a - 4p (with paid 30mins rest)

Wednesday, 9a - 430p (with paid 30mins rest)

Thursday, 9a - 430p (with paid 30mins rest)

Friday, 9a - 430p (with paid 30mins rest)

Saturday, 10a - 330p (with paid 30mins rest)

Medical and Dental (Employee Only).

Mileage Reimbursement

Monthly Technology Stipend

Company Rest-Periods and Unlimited PTO