Position Summary: The Senior Farm Loan Technical Assistance Provider will work directly with historically underserved farmers to increase comfort, confidence, and success rates in accessing FSA loans. The position will work in collaboration with RAFI’s Farm Advocacy and Farm Sustainability programs as well as external organizational partners to develop educational content, farmer outreach, and ongoing technical assistance. The ideal candidate is someone who is very knowledgeable in agricultural lending/farm finances and who has experience working with farmer populations. 

Primary Responsibilities

Education and Outreach

• Develop educational content about FSA loan programs, farm financials, or recordkeeping for farmer audiences.

• Host webinars or workshops covering topics such as FSA loan options, preparing loan applications, and developing a cash flow to help increase farmers’ success with FSA applications.

• Consistently contribute to farmer storytelling and educational content through RAFI newsletters, Living Roots articles, blogs, etc in relation to farm loans based on the assessment of farmer needs.

Technical Assistance

• Identify farmers who are interested in receiving technical assistance for FSA loans. This will include contacting farmers who have previously communicated to RAFI that an FSA loan was declined.

• Provide one-on-one technical assistance (TA) to farmers, with a focus on historically underserved farmers and farmers in the southeast. This includes but is not limited to initiating or updating farmer FSA records, assisting with FSA loan applications, and providing farm or business planning services to farmers. Some assistance may be completed during in-person visits within reasonable driving distance.

• Monitor and respond to TA intake responses, assessing their priority goals and the most needed TA services. Assess whether there is an immediate financial crisis that would need to be referred to a farm advocate. 

• Record farmer information, services provided, outcome of TA, and other evaluation metrics in Salesforce according to RAFI’s technical assistance procedures and consistent with funding requirements. Work collaboratively with the RAFI Farm Sustainability and Farm Advocacy program and RAFI Direct Service Team to provide comprehensive farmer support and impact tracking.

Collaboration 

• Track, identify, and communicate common FSA loan application challenges/barriers to RAFI Policy team and organizational partners.

• Serve as a member of the Direct Service Team and Farm Advocacy Team

• Build working relationships with local FSA staff to support educational outreach and technical assistance offerings, as well as state and national FSA staff in coordination with the Policy team.

Project Management

• Manages project budget and ensures adherence, including regularly review of transactions

• Responsible for ensuring that grant reporting requirements are met. Involved in grant writing, budget development, and grant report, and board report submissions.

• With supervisor, creates and regularly assesses workplan to address emerging farmer needs. Contributes to long-term strategy development within the Resources for Resilient Farms and Farm Advocacy program areas. 

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Familiarity with USDA’s FSA programs, especially loan programs

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Experience in agriculture and working with farmers

• Experience with farm business planning and creating cash flows

• Detail-oriented, organized/timely follow-up

• Exhibits persistence and follow-through

• Excellent relationship-building capacity

• Driver’s license (and ability to access transportation)

• Active learner & self-starter; ability to seek information independently, self-educate, and take initiative on projects and work plans.

• Ability or willingness to learn to work with remote staff

• Works well within a team environment.

Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Experience working in Salesforce or other CRM

• Experience developing and sharing information in webinars or workshops

• Experience working at non profit organizations

Compensation and Status:

• Full-time, exempt position

• Annual salary of $61,225-$65,058 (commensurate with experience) based on an estimated 40 hours/week schedule. This salary was developed using RAFI’s salary matrix and responsibility tier.

• Generous benefits package includes paid time off, 401k, medical, dental, life insurance, and long/short-term disability insurance plans. 

Location: Remote employees located in the Southeast. Employees located in the Triangle or Triad region of NC are expected to spend 1-2 days in our Pittsboro office weekly.

About RAFI: Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI) challenges the root causes of unjust food systems, supporting and advocating for economically, racially, and ecologically just farm communities. We envision a thriving, sustainable, and equitable food system where farmers and farmworkers have dignity and agency; where they are supported by just agricultural policies; and where corporations and institutions are accountable to their community.

How to Apply: Applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, and professional references. We will accept applications until the position is filled. In your cover letter, please state why you are interested in working for RAFI and share any skills or experiences you have that make you an ideal candidate for this position, especially agricultural advocacy experience, technical assistance service, or experience that demonstrates your relationship-building skills. Please no calls; we cannot guarantee a response to emails. 

RAFI’s Salary Rates: RAFI’s salary policy is implemented based on the goals of fair, clear and transparent criteria for salary rates with clear standards that minimize the effect of negotiation skills or preference. RAFI’s salary policy sets salary rates for positions based on the responsibility level that the position holds. Given this, RAFI does not negotiate salary rates. 

COVID & EEOC Statement: RAFI’s workplace policies require all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless medical or religious exemptions are present. RAFI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, physical or mental handicap, matriculation, or political affiliation. RAFI values an equitable and inclusive workplace. We are deeply committed to engaging the skills and leadership of people of color, LGBTQ persons, and other individuals from diverse backgrounds. Research shows that often women and people from underrepresented groups only apply to jobs for which they meet 100% of the qualifications. RAFI is interested in attracting a diverse pool of candidates who want to contribute as a part of a dedicated, hard-working, collaborative team, driven by equity. You need not check every box. If much of this describes you, we encourage you to apply.