NOFA Summer Conference & NOFA/Mass Winter Conference Workshop Coordinator

Starts December 2015

Application Deadline: Wednesday, December 16, 2015

NOFA/Mass produces two annual conferences, the NOFA Summer Conference and the NOFA/Mass Winter Conference.  These two events serve over 2,000 people through keynotes, over 200 workshops covering 27 topic areas, workshops and activities for children and teens, vendors, music, films, dance, camping and wholesome organic meals.  The conferences represent the mission of NOFA/Mass which is, through education and advocacy NOFA/Mass promotes organic agriculture to expand the production and availability of nutritious food from living soil for the health of individuals, communities and the planet.  The NOFA Summer and NOFA/Mass Winter Conference Workshop Coordinator oversees all aspects of the workshop programming for both conferences. The NOFA Summer Conference is organized on behalf of all of the seven NOFA chapters by NOFA/Mass. This a three day event scheduled for August 12-14, 2015. The NOFA/Mass Winter Conference is organized for the NOFA/Mass chapter. This one day event will take place on January 14, 2017.

Major Responsibilities Include:

• Organize roughly 225 educational workshops for the NOFA Summer Conference (155) and NOFA/Mass Winter Conference (70).
• Organize 3-5 pre-conferences to take place on the opening day of the NOFA Summer Conference.
• Design workshop presenter form, workshop descriptions, workshop schedule, presenter biographies, workshop information for program books, addenda and website.
• Maintain relationships with partner organizations to inform the program and ensure program meets needs of NOFA members.
• In the case of the NOFA Summer Conference, work with the other NOFA chapters in VT, NH, NY, CT, RI and NJ to secure presenters from those states, along with presenters from MA.
• Draft publicity and outreach materials—call for workshop proposals, newsletter articles, and Facebook posts.
• During conferences, assist registration staff with checking in presenters. Train and manage Work Exchange volunteers assigned to help during workshop sessions.
• Conduct ongoing correspondence with presenters, and respond to presenter inquiries.
• Assist in post conference evaluation work for all workshop programming.
• Maintain financial records related to workshops and presenters, and coordinate presenter pay after the conference.

Qualifications include:

• A strong commitment to and knowledge of organic farming practices.
• At least two years of event coordination experience.
• Strong communication and people skills.
• Punctuality and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work collegially as a team member as well as independently from home, with minimal supervision.
• Basic office management and computer software skills.

Position Details:

• 700 hours per year, with generally flexible schedule. Work load is heavier for the summer conference in December – March and in August. Work load for the winter conference is heavier in August – October and January for the winter conference.
• Starting pay: $13-$18 per hour, dependent on experience, with no health insurance benefits.
• Employee must maintain a current NOFA/Mass membership.
• Employee must attend NOFA/Mass retreats (2 per year) and staff meetings (2 per year), the winter and summer conferences, and education department conference calls (bi-monthly), and meet other regular reporting responsibilities.
• Flexible work schedule, employee must provide appropriate basic office equipment to facilitate working from home.

Application procedure:
By Wednesday, December 16th send resume and three references to Glenn Oliveira, Education Director, glenn@nofamass.org. If you have questions, email glenn@nofamass.org or call (774) 678-9644.