Alaska Farmland Trust is a small nonprofit land trust that preserves agricultural lands across Alaska for future generations.  We are seeking an Executive Director to lead the organization in our next stage of development. Over the next three years, our strategic goals include:

Goal 1: Private landowners and other appropriate agencies work together to conserve in perpetuity the most important agricultural lands in Alaska.

Goal 2: The community embraces private land conservation as a tool to protect important community values.

Goal 3: The trust has the organizational structure to permanently protect and manage lands.

Goal 4: The trust has a stable and growing base of financial support.  More specifically in the next three years we will raise adequate operating funds to demonstrate capability of organization to exist and develop plan for capital campaign for land conservation projects.

We are seeking a resourceful leader with excellent management skills and experience to guide the organization as an Executive Director to fulfill these goals.  Our ideal candidate will be a creative and collaborative leader who will effectively manage the organization’s resources and finances in fulfillment of our mission.
Minimum Qualifications (full):

• No less than three to five years experience in comparable level of responsibility
• Demonstrated success in organizational financial management
• Previous nonprofit experience
• Demonstrated success in developing and sustaining strong partnerships with public and private sector
• Passion and knowledge about agricultural land protection.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising and grant writing
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Position is fulltime, offers an IRA,  paid holidays and vacation.  Competitive nonprofit salary. First round of applications are due by January 17, 2012. Applicants should send a cover letter with salary requirements and resume, including three references to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Position Description:

The Executive Director provides direction and leadership toward the achievement of Alaska Farmland Trust and its annual goals and objectives.

Reports to: Board of Directors

Organization and Financial Management

1. Implement projects.  Research and answer questions as requested by Board of Directors.
2. Organize staff and board committees to ensure that annual goals are met. Create opportunities to use volunteers to complete tasks.
3. Supervise staff: set priorities and ensure deadlines are met. Complete annual performance reviews.
4. Develop annual work plan including operating budget and special budgets for projects and events. Manage  budget and accounting system with Board of Director’s Treasurer and bookkeeper.

Development

1. In conjunction with the Fundraising Committee, manage all development activities.  Develop a written plan to achieve this goal.
2. Coordinate Board activities on corporate and individual donors, including Annual Appeal and membership drives.
3. Develop a plan for obtaining grant money from foundations.  Draft and submit grant proposals. Manage grant budgets.
4. Work with legislative delegation and other governmental entities on government funding for purchase of conservation easements and operating funds.

Outreach

1. Ensure that information is available to the public on the organization’s mission’s goals and projects.
2. Work on a continuing basis to increase local awareness of and appreciation for agricultural land protection in Alaska.
3. Work on a continuing basis to increase landowner awareness of Alaska Farmland Trust programs.
4. Organize events such as the Valley Farm Picnic, State Fair Booth and markets.

Lands Program