President and CEO
Farmworker Justice is a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C., founded in 1981, that works to protect and empower migrant and seasonal farmworkers to improve their living and working conditions, immigration status, health and access to health care, occupational safety and access to justice. We work with farmworker organizations across the nation. Farmworker Justice, founded in 1981, is a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation incorporated in the District of Columbia. Currently Farmworker Justice has a professional staff of ten and an annual budget of $ 1.27 million. It is an independent subsidiary corporation of UnidosUS (formerly National Council of La Raza) the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization. FJ maintains an independent Board of Directors and staff.
Overview
The President of Farmworker Justice leads the organization in the day-to-day pursuit of its mission, appearing on behalf of the organization and the movement it represents, hiring and directing staff, responsible for fundraising, directing its programmatic and policy and legal affairs activities and carrying out strategies and policies set by the Board. S/he reports to the Board of Directors.
The President is expected to be a team builder and collaborative leader who, with the Farmworker Justice staff, builds and maintains strong partnerships with policymakers, federal and state agency leaders, allied organizations, funders, and progressive voices in the labor, immigrant, public health, food and agricultural worker communities.
Roles and Responsibilities
· Articulate a vision for the country where farmworkers are treated with dignity, protected from dangerous working and living conditions and suitably compensated for their work.
· Create and manage an office environment in which opportunities are shared and employees are valued and supported.
· With the participation of other staff, develop and pursue a policy agenda by advocating for the interests of farmworkers in the Congress and executive branch.
· Initiate litigation and support the litigation activities of allied organizations.
· Communicate regularly and listen attentively to the national and grassroots network of state and local organizations that work to achieve social justice for farmworkers.
· Look for opportunities to interact with and support federal initiatives aimed at protecting the health, immigration status and labor rights of farmworkers.
· Increase available resources by aggressively cultivating new sources of revenue and communicating effectively with existing institutional and individual funders.
· Take advantage of the knowledge of the outgoing president as a member of the staff.
Farmworker Justice offers a competitive salary and benefits package.
Experience and Qualifications
The next president of Farmworker Justice should bring experience in management, fundraising and advocacy. We’re also looking for fresh ideas and a vision that are appropriate to today’s challenges facing the organization and the constituency it represents.
A law degree can be helpful, but is not required. A college degree is appropriate. More important is an in-depth understanding of and sensitivity to the difficult lives that most farmworkers and their families endure and an ability to communicate the urgent need for improvement to others who can bring about change.
Other desirable attributes:
· An awareness of current law, policies and customs that impact farmworkers.
· Insight into the courts and legal processes to help determine when FJ can play a useful
role in challenging or supporting challenges to unjust policies.
· Knowledge of the key players and forces at work in Congress, the Administration and
the food and agricultural industries.
· Knowing how to develop successful advocacy strategies for implementation in
Washington, D.C., the states and at the grassroots level.
· Experience in recruiting training, leading and retaining quality staff people who are values-driven.
· An understanding of and willingness to engage with news and social media.
· A willingness to take the lead in fundraising and the pursuit of new funders, engaging the board and other staff when appropriate.
· Understanding budgeting, office management and board relations.
· The ability to write and speak with clarity and passion about farmworker rights and needs.
· A collaborative spirit that lends itself to success in coalition-building and staff management.
· Foreign language skills, particularly Spanish.
· Ability to travel frequently, mostly within the U.S.
Farmworker Justice is an equal opportunity employer, proudly celebrates diversity and encourages applications from all persons committed to our mission without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
How to Apply: Send a cover letter, resume, writing sample and three contemporary references to Ms. Natalie Camacho Mendoza, Farmworker Justice Board Chair at NMendoza@farmworkerjustice.org. You will receive an acknowledgement and if you are among those selected for interviews we will contact you.