Please email a cover letter, resumé, and the contact information for three references as a single PDF to [email protected] – include the name of the position in the subject line of your email. Applications may also be mailed to: Seed Savers Exchange | Attn: Peggy Miller | 3094 North Winn Rd. | Decorah, IA 52101.
Education and Engagement Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Position Status: Regular, Full-time
Reports to: Marketing and Communications Director
Compensation: $21.00/hour
Primary Role:
SSE’s Education and Engagement Manager is a highly collaborative position that works closely with all SSE departments and works to build relationships and community by collaborating with individuals and organizations in the larger seed community. Education and Engagement projects and initiatives include all SSE educational events (conferences, tours, and workshops), educational farm and garden signage, the Community Seed Network and Speaker’s Bureau.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop the Education & Engagement department budget and manage fiscal resources, planning for long term education and engagement goals.
- Work with internal and external partners to oversee and manage all aspects of SSE events, including development, planning, budgeting, programming, collaboratively scheduling, mapping, working with outside contractors, communication, setup, cleanup, and evaluation. Events include workshops (i.e. apple grafting and seed school), conferences, and other community engagement events (i.e. National Seed Swap Day, benefit concert, and tomato tasting).
- Oversee SSE Speakers Bureau. This includes representing SSE in speaking engagements, submitting presentation proposals, training staff to develop a strong speaking roster, evaluating outside event requests for impact potential, developing and managing program budget, and continuing to evaluate and adapt our speakers bureau program for maximum impact.
- Serve as SSE’s representative and lead for the Community Seed Network, a seed saving, sharing, and networking website that connects and supports community seed initiatives by providing resources, information, and a platform for networking. This includes co-chairing the CSN Advisory Council in partnership with SeedChange, overseeing website content, design, and promotion, managing SSE’s collaboration with SeedChange, and implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two organizations, including joint budgeting and programming.
- Oversee SSE tours and workshops. This includes developing tour scripts, scheduling and leading tour groups and field trips that come to SSE, collaborating with outside tour group organizations, and coordinating and training staff and volunteers to give tours and workshops.
- Lead person for Heritage Farm signage; work collaboratively with development team for funding, marketing for layout and editing, facilities team for placement and installation.
- Serve as SSE’s Education and Engagement representative; collaborating with partnering organizations and individuals, advising on educational programming.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- Supervise, train, and coordinate all event staff, interns, and volunteers, including staff from across SSE departments.
Intra-Department Responsibilities:
- Work closely with the development department to create grant, donor, and sponsorship opportunities to support the work of SSE’s Education and Engagement department, and to report on funded projects and programs.
- Work closely with the marketing department to promote Education & Engagement projects and programs.
- Participate in the Heritage Farm Companion committee.
- Update Education and Engagement portion of staff newsletter, communicating with overall SSE staff about Education and Engagement projects.
- Participate in company-wide job share tasks as needed throughout the year.
Required Skills and Abilities:
- Motivational leadership qualities with emphasis on facilitation, empowerment, and community building.
- Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and time-management skills
- Strong analytical and creative problem solving skills
- Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills
- Experience in storytelling and public speaking preferred
- Experience in education field preferred
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to sit and stand for long periods
- Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions as needed
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent work experience, in an education, communication, or related field required
Benefits:
- Paid holidays & PTO
- Long term disability and life insurance (paid for by the company)
- Employee merchandise discounts
- Wellness program with annual stipend and paid day off
- Medical, dental and vision coverage available