Dir. of Livestock​/OSIA & OSWP Executive Director

• Location 280 N High Street,6th Floor,Columbus, OH, 43215,United States
• Employee Type Exempt FT
• Required Degree 2 Year Degree
• Manage Others No

• Name Human Resources
• Phone

The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation is seeking an experienced agricultural professional to serve as Director of Livestock and Executive Director of the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association (OSIA) and Ohio Sheep and Wool Program (OSWP).

This unique leadership position combines agricultural advocacy, policy development, industry relations and association management. The successful candidate will serve as a subject-matter expert on livestock and animal-related issues while building strong relationships across Ohio's agricultural community.

In this role, you will:

• Serve as Ohio Farm Bureau's lead resource on livestock, animal care, commodities, county fairs and exhibitions, and wildlife issues.
• Identify, research and monitor emerging legislative, regulatory, scientific and industry issues affecting animal agriculture.
• Represent Ohio Farm Bureau and designated commodity organizations on industry boards, committees, councils and other stakeholder groups.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with universities, government agencies, commodity organizations, agricultural leaders and industry partners.
• Monitor regulatory activity before applicable state boards, commissions and councils and provide analysis and recommendations to organizational leadership.
• Develop educational programming, seminars and resources for county Farm Bureaus, members, agricultural stakeholders and consumers.
• Respond to member questions and provide technical expertise on livestock and animal-related matters.
• Serve as an organizational spokesperson on assigned issues, programs and policy matters.
• Collaborate with commodity organizations on promotion, public relations, policy initiatives, checkoff programs and leadership development.
• Identify and help develop candidates for service on state commodity organization boards and committees.
• Represent Ohio Farm Bureau throughout Ohio's agriculture and food community through conferences, meetings and industry organizations.
• Manage and supervise support staff as assigned.
• Association Leadership

Approximately half of this position is dedicated to serving as Executive Director of the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association and the Ohio Sheep and Wool Program.

In this capacity, the Director will provide leadership, management and administrative support in accordance with agreements between Ohio Farm Bureau and OSIA/OSWP. Responsibilities include working closely with association leadership, members and industry partners to advance Ohio's sheep and wool industry and support organizational programs and priorities.

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Three to five years of professional experience in agriculture or a related field.
• Strong communication, relationship-building and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively with agricultural producers, industry leaders, government officials and diverse stakeholder groups.
• Working knowledge of standard business technology and computer applications.

• Five to ten years of professional experience in agriculture, livestock, commodity relations, association management, agricultural policy or a related field.
• Knowledge of Ohio agriculture and the livestock industry.
• Experience working with agricultural associations, commodity organizations, government agencies or public policy issues.
• Demonstrated ability to lead programs, manage multiple priorities and communicate complex agricultural issues to varied audiences.

Ohio agriculture faces increasingly complex policy, regulatory and marketplace challenges. This position provides an opportunity to work directly with farmers, agricultural organizations, policymakers, researchers and industry leaders to help shape solutions that strengthen Ohio agriculture.

OFBF offers a generous benefits package that includes a cell phone stipend, vacation, sick, and family sick time; nine observed holidays with additional time off between Christmas and New Year’s; a 401-k retirement plan with company match; three health plans to choose from, a company contribution to a health savings account, dental, vision, life insurance, voluntary insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability;

employee incentive plan, tuition reimbursement and bonus for employee referrals.

If you are passionate about animal agriculture, agricultural policy, member service and building relationships across the agricultural community, we invite you to consider joining Ohio Farm Bureau.