Athens Land Trust is an innovative and adaptive community and conservation land trust in Georgia. We look for team members who are creative, deeply committed to advancing equity, and excited about embracing an evolving set of responsibilities and opportunities as the organization grows.
Athens Land Trust is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.
Program Manager, Georgia FarmLink
About Athens Land Trust (ALT): ALT is an innovative and adaptive community and conservation land trust based in Athens, Georgia. We are looking for creative problem-solvers with a commitment to equity and an understanding of organizing and building relationships to address community-identified issues.
About Georgia FarmLink: Georgia FarmLink is a platform created with statewide partners and managed by ALT with the intention of helping farmers access and protect important farmland, facilitating farmland succession planning, and ensuring Georgia’s best farms continue contributing to the local economy through sustainable farming practices and farm business development strategies.
About the opportunity: As ALT grows and refines our farmer outreach and farmland protection offerings, we are seeking a Program Manager to support vision and growth of Georgia FarmLink from a passive land-linking platform to a robust program that provides targeted and comprehensive services to the agricultural community in Georgia, while meeting key deliverables related to farmer outreach and farm transition planning in the short and mid term. This is an opportunity for an entrepreneurial and process-minded individual who is comfortable working on a small and nimble team to achieve outsized impact. The candidate must be comfortable building coalitions around large systemic issues while also building trust and buy-in through 1:1 connections with farmers and landowners in a way that proactively addresses their needs and lived experience. The candidate should also possess an understanding and analysis of structural racial inequality in relation to land access and tenure and the way policies, power, and race disproportionately affect land tenure in Georgia.
The Georgia FarmLink Project Director will report to ALT’s Director of Conservation, and will work closely with the Conservation and Community Agriculture programs to identify strategic priorities and ensure effective intra-organizational collaboration. Responsibilities include developing partnerships for effective farmland transitions, developing and facilitating educational programs related to ALT’s farmland protection efforts, direction of the GAFarmLink platform, and identifying and assisting farmers interested in acquiring land.
Specific duties are as follows:
- Oversee the operations and direction of Georgia FarmLink, with a focus on improving support for farmland transition across GA and increasing services for Historically Underserved landowners and producers.
- Recruit, develop, and coordinate a Georgia FarmLink governance committee consisting of farmers, statewide and national organizations, and other relevant stakeholders to set the agenda for growth and direction of Georgia FarmLink.
- Oversee the direction of GAFarmLink,work with statewide and national partners to shape the future and expansion of the program to better support farmland transition across GA and with increased services for Historically Underserved landowners and producers.
- Keep the FarmLink website up to date with statewide events, services, and resources, as well as with current property and farmland seeker postings.
- Serve as Project Manager for Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) project “Strengthening innovative tools and resources for farmland access, transfer, and succession for beginning farmers in northeast Georgia”. Ensure that all deliverables and reporting are on track.
- Manage outreach related to farmland protection programs including ACEP-ALE and WREP in coordination with NRCS and the Conservation Team to identify eligible farmers and landowners, educate state partners and local governments, and identify opportunities to leverage local matching funds.
- Identify and cultivate partnerships to better support farmland protection, acquisition, transition, and farmer support.
- Oversee the development of regular workshops, stakeholder meetings, and policy briefs in coordination with partners on identified topics of need for farmers in the region.
- Arrange 1:1 meetings, both in-person and virtual as required, and farm visits with farmers interested in acquiring land or transitioning their land and help them establish farm transfer plans.
- Support farmers in accessing legal support as needed for estate planning, ethical lease drafting, and title clearing.
- Take initiative to stay up to date on all USDA and other national, state, and local programs to connect farmers with relevant resources and leverage opportunities to better support socially disadvantaged farmers.
- Seek funding opportunities and support the grant writing process.
Expectations of all ALT employees:
- Participate in grant management including grant writing support and reporting.
- Write newsletter articles, and brochure and educational materials related to ALT’s programs and activities.
- Attend weekly staff meetings
- Be part of a team – provide support for all staff members in their respective duties
Qualifications: Candidates must have work experience in a relevant field such as public policy, administration, legal assistance, agriculture/natural resources, conservation, or food systems. Demonstrated knowledge of outreach methods, partnership building, policy advocacy, presentation techniques, provision of services and referrals. Experience or background in basic organizing principles. Possess knowledge of a broad range of farming service and assistance providers. Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team and to work effectively with partners and staff. Ability to use computer systems and the internet. A valid driver’s license and reliable insured transportation required.
Preferred Qualifications: Excellent organizational, administrative, and communication skills are essential. Strong personal commitment to agricultural justice and farming practices in Georgia. Knowledge of Adobe program suite and basic web design skills.
Compensation: The salary range is ~$45,000-55,000, based on experience. This is a two-year grant funded position with the potential to extend, contingent upon funding availability. ALT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, PTO, additional paid holidays, and a flexible work schedule.
Depending on the candidate, this position could be remote within the state of Georgia.
Apply: To apply, please send a resume and letter of interest to Justin Merrifield, Director of Conservation at justin@athenslandtrust.org.
Job Description: Finance Director
The Finance Director is responsible for administering the programs, policies, and goals of the Athens Land Trust and works with the Board to establish these. Responsibilities include all accounting functions, payroll and human resource administration, internal financial reporting, financial grant management, budgeting, and Audit/Tax preparation and coordination. The Finance Director is responsible for the day‐to‐day financial management of ALT and is under direct supervision of the Executive Director.
Specific Duties are as Follows:
- Responsible for the financial management of all federal, state, local and foundation grants and other programs and projects as they arise.
- Manage ALT’s banking and investment accounts, manage cash flow of organization. • Prepare organizational and grant/project budgets in concert with program directors, Finance Committee and Executive Director. Prepare actual‐to‐budget analysis and present financial results to Finance Committee and Board of Directors.
- Manage ALT’s commercial and personnel insurance policies.
- Preparation and submission of all grant-related financial reporting and monitoring. Collaborate with Program Directors and Development staff on budget creation for new grants and projects.
- Oversee all financial aspects of ALT: prepare payroll checks using the QuickBooks program, prepare monthly and quarterly payroll liabilities payments, prepare check requests for vendor invoices, prepare bank deposits, pay bills, coordinate signing of checks, oversee QuickBooks data entry and reporting.
- Administer benefits plans including group health, dental and vision plans and retirement plans. • Maintain all financial records in compliance with organization records retention policy.
- Coordinate and assist in preparation of annual independent Audit, 990 Tax Return, and other audits/monitoring as they arise. Prepare payroll tax returns, W2s and 1099s.
- Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal guidelines as it relates to grant financial management, payroll taxes, income and sales tax. Ensure 501c(3) status is maintained. Manage all permit and licensing for organization.
- Oversee ALT’s Google Aps account and maintain staff email domains
- Other Office Administrative duties as directed.
All ALT Employees:
- ∙ Be in the office according to a predetermined schedule to answer email and messages, prepare detailed timesheets, coordinate with fellow staff
- ∙ Attend weekly staff meetings
- ∙ Be part of a team—provide support for all staff members in their respective duties
Qualifications:
- ∙ Five or more years accounting experience, non‐profit experience preferred.
- ∙ Proficiency in QuickBooks, Excel, Word and Google application; interest and ability to learn new technology systems.
- ∙ Understanding of grants, federal funding and grant reporting.
- ∙ Data entry and proficiency in computer skills.
- ∙ Excellent analytical, organizational and administrative skills. Detail oriented and meticulous attention to accuracy and timeliness in record keeping, problem solving and data tracking.
- ∙ Ability to successfully manage multiple assignments independently and prioritize responsibilities in a fast paced environment.
- ∙ Experience supporting and managing employees
Youth Development Programs
Our Youth Development programs are unique. We offer three paid job skills training programs, the Young Urban Farmers the Young Urban Builders and the Young Conservation Stewards Each program provides paid training and education for high-school aged youth in Athens-Clarke County.
Our approach incorporates on-site training, exposure to new opportunities, leadership development and classroom education, that delivers both specialized and general job skills, and community involvement to help ensure that the next generation of leaders are invested in where they live. We work to create personal connections between the youth in our programs and leaders in the community and the respective industries that are vital to increased job placement and social capital once they have graduated from their program.
Young Conservation Stewards: 2022 Summer Semester
We are now accepting applications for the Young Conservation Stewards summer semester.
The Young Conservation Stewards (YCS) is an employment and job skills training program for high school aged youth. YCS participants will learn important environmental skills, including plant identification, invasive plant removal methods, native plant installation and maintenance, and trail building and maintenance. They will also develop essential soft skills in public speaking, leadership, and community outreach, and may engage the public at venues including the ALT-run West Broad Farmers Market, where they will speak publicly about the importance of green spaces in our community and the ways that community members can contribute to improving them. Job locations include Southeast Clarke Park, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Athens Land Trust Office, and Walker Park (formerly Trail Creek Park). The summer 2022 YCS program will take place from June 13th to August 5th Monday – Friday 8:00am to 12:00pm. Participation in Young Conservation Stewards will lead to increased employability and job placement post high school graduation.
Applications should be emailed to justin@athenslandtrust.org or dropped off at Athens Land Trust
685 N. Pope Street Athens, GA 30605. Download an application here.
Young Urban Farmers: 2022 School Year
We are now accepting applications for the Young Urban Farmers program for the 2022 school year, with a projected start of late August to Early September, 2021.
Young Urban Farmers (YUF) duties and responsibilities will include: Learning and implementing sustainable agricultural skills which will involve working in several community gardens as well as the Williams’s Farm, the Athens Land Trust’s urban farm. YUF will also learn entrepreneurial skills and create a business plan for a product that could be produced and sold at the West Broad Farmers Market.
The YUF must:
- Commit to the program for the dates of September 2021 to August 2022
- Have a reliable mode of transportation to and from the work meeting place.
- Transportation to alternative work locations after meeting at the scheduled meeting place may be provided by the YUF Coordinator.
- Be prepared to work in a wide range of weather conditions.
- Be aged 16 to 20 (or 15 with a valid work permit) and enrolled or completed CCSD high school or GED program. Must be a Clarke County resident.
YUF participants are expected to attend all regularly scheduled program days. Participants will work an average of 12 hours a week paid $9/hr for the time they are present and engaged at the worksite, rounded to the nearest quarter hour.
To apply, please download and complete the application. Applications can be submitted at the Athens Land Trust office:
685 North Pope Street, Athens, GA 30601 or emailed Tony Gayles at tony@athenslandtrust.org. Applications can also be completed through Google Forms in lieu of email or a paper copy. Click here to access the Google Forms application.
Young Urban Builders: 2022 School Year
We are now accepting applications for the Young Urban Builders program. The Young Urban Builders program was started in 2018 as a way to address youth unemployment and perform owner-occupied rehabilitation in the West Broad Neighborhood.
The program is designed to provide job training and experience while working on community projects and aiding in neighborhood revitalization. YUB students are involved at all stages in the rehabilitation process to allow for a variety of skills to be developed.
YUB duties and responsibilities include:
- learning and practicing workplace and tool safety
- proper use and maintenance of tools
- developing strong work ethics and basic job skills
- reading blueprints and interpreting written instructions
- using measurement tools and applied mathematics
Requirements:
Students must be between 16 and 24 years of age.
To apply:
Please download the application here and email it to Colin Blodorn, the Young Urban Builders Coordinator at colin@athenslandtrust.org or mail it to our office at 685 North. Pope Street, Athens, GA 30601. Applications can also be left in our secure dropbox at our office. We are accepting applications until all positions are filled.