ED Lideres Campesinas

Organización en California de Líderes Campesinas, Inc.
611 S. Rebecca St. Pomona, CA 91766
Phone: (909) 865-7776
Fax: (909) 865-8779
E-Mail: liderescampesinas@hotmail.com

JOB OPPORTUNITY

POSITION AVAILABLE FOR: Executive Director
LOCATION: Ventura, California*
HOURS: FULL TIME
RESPONSIBLE TO: Board of Directors

Líderes Campesinas Purposes:
The organization of Líderes Campesinas is a private, non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving the lives of farm worker women and their families by ensuring that this isolated community has access to information and services on family violence, working conditions, and women's health. In order to meet their special needs, Líderes Campesinas utilizes an innovative public health educational model that focuses on the training in leadership development and human rights. Our peer-to-peer educational model ensures culturally-competent, grassroots dissemination of health information critical for farm worker women. Líderes Campesinas works with over five hundred farm worker women representing twelve chapters and auxiliary youth groups. Líderes Campesinas and its members are committed to providing awareness and education to other women on the many health dangers that farm worker women and their families face. Currently, Líderes Campesinas has eight employees and an annual budget that is nearing $450,000; it’s funded entirely through private and government grants.
Position Description:
The Líderes Campesinas seeks an Executive Director to manage daily operations, advance the mission of Líderes Campesinas, and expand its philosophy as well as financial objectives through oversight and management of programs and projects. Líderes Campesinas’ is part of an organized union and therefore must abide by the union rules.
Responsibilities of the Executive Director
The Executive Director will report to the Board of Directors. The responsibilities of the Executive Director consist of the overall management and supervision of Líderes Campesinas, including:
General Management of the Operations of Líderes Campesinas and its Programs, including personnel matters such as, recruiting campesina members and advocates, motivating and developing staff as community leaders, continuing education, hiring, firing, and management of benefits; supervision of employees in their regular duties; management of the budgets of approximately eight grant-funded programs; attendance and participation at meetings with funding agencies; communication with and reporting to funding agencies; and the use of best management practices for non-profit organizations.
Grant-Writing and Fund-Raising. The Executive Director will be ultimately responsible for renewing existing grants and seeking new funding for existing programs. The Executive Director will write or supervise the preparation of grant proposals and will seeks funding from other appropriate sources, including the development of new service programs under the guidance and approval of the Board of Directors.
Advocacy and Outreach. Together with staff, the Executive Director will have an understanding and awareness of the campesina and her family, their hopes and fears, their aspirations and needs. The Executive Director will be responsible for supervising the overall advocacy efforts of Líderes Campesinas including communicating with the stakeholders, service providers and agencies, governments and politicians, and other public and private entities.

Other Duties.
As assigned by the Board of Directors.

The position will require local, regional, state and national travel. Long-distance travel, overnight and international travel will be required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities The position requires strong leadership, excellent personnel management skills, and knowledge of financial management practices. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a history of successful management of similar organizations or programs. Candidates should possess strong verbal and writing skills, consistent with the ability to advocate for the campesina community, and to write successful grants and press-releases. The Executive Director must be comfortable and effective working with a diverse community specifically with farmworker women and their families. A successful candidate will have at least 5 years experience in community organizing and/or advocacy work. Must have a strong working knowledge of the struggle of women from farmworker backgrounds such as, domestic violence, sexual harassment and sexual assault as well as, breast cancer, pesticides and teen pregnancy.
The candidate should be familiar with common computer programs, such as the Microsoft Office Suite of applications and Microsoft Outlook. The candidate should know how to drive, possess a valid California driver’s license and insurance, and have a personal vehicle for local travel.
Required Background. Candidates should have a B.A. or B.S. in a relevant social science, such as social work, psychology, anthropology, or sociology. Significant supervisory experience in a non-profit, social service organization is essential. Knowledge of best management practices in non-profits is very important.
Fluency in English and Spanish is expected. Knowledge of Latino/a history, the farmworker/ campesina movement and culture are important to the successful performance of the duties of Executive Director.
Application Process Please submit a packet consisting of:
• A cover letter of application specific to Líderes Campesinas expressing your interest in the position and describing your background and qualifications;
• A complete curriculum vitae; and
• A minimum of three professional references will be requested. Please be sure that all contact information is correct and current so the selection committee can check references

Women, people with disabilities, and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Submit resume via e-mail or fax to:

Lilia Chavez, President
1690 W. Adams Apt. 2
El Centro, CA 92243
(760) 336-2920 – fax
lililiderescampesinas@hotmail.com

Phone calls are discouraged.

Post Date: January 5, 2009
Start date: May 2009

* Our office is in the process of transitioning to Ventura County, CA. By the time the position starts, it is likely we will be in our new Ventura office.