SDSPA Project & Event Manager Contractor Position Now Open
South Dakota Specialty Producers is looking for a Project & Event Manager to join in the promotion of South Dakota specialty crops and products as a contractor.
This position involves fulfilling contractor responsibilities for two grants, with an average of 12 hours per week, not to exceed 635 total hours between Sept. 18, 2023 and Sept. 29, 2024. There will be a possible contract extension for portions of projects.
Pay is $30/hr, with the ability to increase salary after a 90-day evaluation. This is a one year position and while it requires being a resident of South Dakota, it is a remote/ work from home freelance position under the direction of the South Dakota Specialty Producers (SDSPA) Board.
The ideal candidate will have strong leadership and management skills. Candidates should be detail oriented and able to see the big picture; and have organizational skills to provide members, chapters, partner entities with support simultaneously through multiple channels.
One grant’s focus for this position will be managing specific tasks related to supporting retailers who sell produce and products from South Dakota producers. The other area of focus is supporting networking, facilitating business education, and encouraging new specialty crop producers.
GENERAL DUTIES
- Manage specific tasks related to supporting retailers who sell produce and products from South Dakota producers.
- Facilitating business education programs.
- Develop and manage a mentor/mentee system to connect new and established producers.
- Host, edit and publish webinars and podcasts with experts.
- Manage budgets per project to ensure invoices submission and grant compliance.
- Conducts regular project coordination, monitoring and review to ensure that the projects timetables are being implemented accordingly and are completed within the timelines of the grants.
- Provides regular project progress and status reports at monthly SDSPA board meetings.
- Coordinate educational events, tours and outreach events.
- Attends events that are scheduled, as a representative of SDSPA. This role will involve some in-state travel (approximately 10-15 times a year), including occasional overnight stays- travel expenses will be reimbursed.
- Develops and helps organize committees for SDSPA members through ongoing coaching, mentoring, training, and professional learning opportunities.
- Maintain and develop strategic partnerships with other local food & agriculture organizations, and business assistance providers.
- Work with a flexible schedule, while also having the ability to attend meetings at varied times. Typically workload is best conducted during traditional office hours, with occasional evening meetings or weekend events.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum of High School diploma or equivalent, with a preference for bachelor degree in any related field.
- Experience with project management, including timeline organization and the ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines.
- Ability to organize chapters and committees, and facilitate meetings
- Ability to communicate clearly and compellingly (verbally and in writing)
- Self-motivated with the ability to collaborate well with the board and other contractors, but also handle designated work independently.
- Computer fluency and experience with MS Office suite, Google Workspace, and online social media platforms.
- Contractor should be familiar with concepts related to local foods and specialty crop production.
OTHER DUTIES
Perform other related duties as assigned by the SDSPA board.
TO APPLY
Please submit your cover letter, resume, and three references to Michael Gubbles, SDSPA Secretary, by Tues., Aug. 29th with interviews to take place virtually within a week of application deadline.