Employment Opportunity: Prairie Organic Grain Initiative Administrative Assistant
Are you passionate about organic food and interested in helping Prairie farmers to be more successful on their farms? Are you friendly, out-going and well organized? Are you able to juggle multiple projects with superb accuracy? Would you like to work in a place where your contributions will be appreciated and celebrated? We are looking for someone with strong administrative, problem solving and member service skills who can maintain a sense of humour no matter what level of chaos is going on around them. Someone who is smart, flexible, fun and creative. Is that you? Then we want to hear from you!
About the Prairie Organic Grain Initiative:
The Prairie Organic Grain Initiative is a $2.2 Million 4-year program which began in October 2014 and is aimed at achieving growth in the organic grain sector of the Canadian Prairies, while simultaneously building resiliency and stability. The program focuses on increasing both the quantity and quality of organic field crops while building strong market relationships. The program is housed by Organic Alberta, however, it is a partnership across the entire organic sector and between the organic associations in each province. Organic Alberta is working closely with Sask Organics, Manitoba Organic Alliance, Certified Organic Associations of BC, The Canada Organic Trade Association, The Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada and USC Canada through The Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security as well as with producers, grain buyers, processors, certification bodies and major organic brands to develop and deliver programming. The Initiative is truly an industry wide project.
About Organic Alberta:
Organic Alberta is the housing organization for the Prairie Organic Grain Initiative. Within Alberta we represent and support Alberta`s entire organic industry, while across the Prairies we deliver programs, in partnership with other provincial partners, related to seed security and grain production. We serve all certified organic and transitioning producers and processors, as well as businesses across the value chain including but not limited to distribution, transportation, brokers and buyers, marketers, organic brands, certifiers, inputs, seed, feed, and retailers.
Role:
We are looking for a dynamic person to provide administrative support to the Prairie Organic Grain Initiative. You will report directly to the Program Manager and work closely with the entire team. This is a 4 hours per day, 6-month term position, starting as soon as possible.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Event Support, such as
booking locations, arranging catering, other logistics related to organizing workshops, field days and other events,
creating forms,
promotion of events,
data entry, other event follow-up.
General Program Support, such as
Co-ordinating monthly stakeholder teleconference calls (eg registrations, sending out notices, taking minutes, circulating minutes, other follow-up activities),
Co-ordinating printing, mailings,
Manage Requests for Proposals (RFP) including finding potential contractors, creating RFP (with program staff), sending out RFP, following up with companies, etc.,
Manage logistical relationships with contractors (eg creating, updating contracts),
Manage contact lists,
Book travel, accommodation, etc as required,
General clerical duties including answering telephone and other tasks,
Other duties as required.
Required experience and qualifications:
A business or secretarial school diploma, or equivalent experience.
A minimum of 3 years’ practical administrative experience,
Computer savvy with experience working with email, MS Word and Excel. Experience with Insightly and/or MailChimp would be an asset,
Excellent written and verbal communication skills,
Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills,
Agronomic experience and/or knowledge of organic production practices is an asset but not required,
Experience in the not for profit sector will be an asset,
An interest in organic food and agriculture is a must.
Salary will be commensurate with experience and competitive within the not for profit sector. This is a 6 month position, 4 hours per day. Does this sound like your dream job? Are you ready to join an amazing team? Then we can’t wait to meet you!
TO APPLY:
Please send a detailed C.V., including a full cover letter telling us when you can start to: Debbie Miller, Executive Office Manager, Organic Alberta Council: info@organicalberta.org. The position is open until filled.