The Friends of Alemany Farm (FOAF) is seeking a full-time Executive Director to help us bring our programming, community engagement, and financial stability to the next level. Salary range: $75,000-$85,000.

Alemany Farm is a 3.5-acre organic farm and ecosystem in southeast San Francisco on unceded Ramaytush Ohlone land. A fiscally sponsored project of Earth Island Institute, FOAF manages agricultural operations and training on the farm, offering volunteers, staff, and apprentices  the chance to engage directly with the food system, learn about sustainable food production, and get their hands in the soil.

Our produce is always free. We strive to demonstrate sustainable methods and to sow the seeds for economic and environmental justice by sharing knowledge through hands-on volunteer days, internships and workshops for all. We also run a paid apprenticeship program focused on low-income and BIPOC neighbors, in which folks gain job-related skills and experience. 

Over the past 15 years we have grown from an all-volunteer collective to our current hybrid model, with a core volunteer Advisory Board (FOAF) who are deeply involved in farm operations and administration along with two and a half full-time paid staff, a rotating cohort of paid apprentices, and a solid auxiliary volunteer group to help run workdays. We are now ready for an Executive Director to lead us forward and make full use of our resources.

Position Summary

The Executive Director (ED) will lead a minimum of two full-time staff: one will be our current and experienced Farm Director, and the second will be hired by the ED in consultation with the Advisory Board and Farm Director. The ED will lead fundraising efforts, oversee budget, manage staff, spend some time onsite, and sharpen our long-term organizational planning and vision. 

We also have a need for volunteer recruitment and management, horticultural knowledge, donor management, communications, and administrative work. Since the ED is a new position, the exact distribution of these duties between the three full-time staff will be decided by the ED in discussion with staff and the Advisory Board.

Note on Experience

We don’t require a prescribed number of years of experience or a college degree. If you are excited by FOAF’s work and have many of the attributes listed in this job description, we encourage you to apply regardless of age or the stage of your career. We recognize that leadership comes in many forms, and we value the contributions and wisdom of those who have led from outside the nonprofit industrial complex.

General Attributes

  • Can inspire and work collaboratively with a diverse team including staff, apprentices and auxiliary members on the farm site and off.
  • Focused on developing the strengths of each team member while unifying the team’s collective efforts around a shared mission and vision.
  • A leadership style that is adaptive, patient, collaborative, and communicative, and that challenges and motivates team members with respect, encouragement, and shared vision and values.
  • Able to resolve conflict via consensus when possible, while demonstrating the capacity for executive decision making when necessary.
  • Know when to lead from behind and will consider no job too small. 
  • A high level of emotional intelligence, cultural humility, and the capacity for listening, self-reflection, self-accountability, and self-improvement.
  • Committed to developing and maintaining a structure that supports the social-emotional wellness of the team, and accountability particularly for the experience of our Black, Indigenous, POC, and other staff and community members from marginalized backgrounds.
  • Experience with and/or passion for our mission, including any or all areas of food justice, education, community building, and horticulture. 

We do need you to:

  • Be committed to our mission and work in deep partnership with the Advisory Board, to ensure that board members and FOAF committees feel connected to the organization and staff, and are effectively engaged to advance the organization’s mission.
  • Ensure FOAF provides meaningful volunteer experience and engagement, and attracts new volunteers at all levels.
  • In collaboration with the FOAF Finance Committee, develop the annual budget, including decision making on strategic priorities, and provide ongoing financial oversight.
  • In collaboration with the FOAF Fundraising Committee and staff, develop and lead a comprehensive and sustainable fundraising strategy, thus ensuring the financial health of the organization and setting a tone of stability and belonging for all staff.
  • Directly supervise two full-time staff and any part-time program staff.
  • Have experience with budget management and/or making decisions about resource allocation.
  • Often serve as the outward face of our organization, though you can expect support in that role.
  • Be the official contact with our fiscal sponsor Earth Island Institute, assuming the role of Earth Island Project Director for Friends of Alemany Farm, though existing staff and FOAF will support.

How to Apply

Please fill out the application form and upload the appropriate files. 

NOTE: If you cannot sign into Google to access the form, please answer the following questions in one Word or PDF document (maximum 1,000 characters per answer, including spaces):  

  1. Please tell us why you are interested in this position. 
  2. Why are you a good fit for this job?
  3. Tell us about any relevant experience you have that relates to budgeting and fundraising. 
  4. Tell us about your experience managing other people.

Email the document with answers to the above questions, along with a resume and one-page cover letter, to community.gardeners@gmail.com.