Director, Finance and Operations

Agroecology Commons

About Agroecology Commons

Agroecology Commons (AC) is a cooperatively-led nonprofit dedicated to agroecology, food sovereignty, and collective liberation. We organize farmer to farmer training, land access, and resource redistribution to systemically marginalized farmers and co-steward a growing network that centers BIPOC and queer and trans-led farms, cooperatives, and food justice initiatives. We practice shared leadership, collective care, and transparency in how we govern and operate.

Position Overview

The Finance & Operations Director will steward AC’s financial systems, HR practices, and operational infrastructure so that our collective can thrive. This position combines strategic leadership with hands-on management of finances, compliance, and organizational systems. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, collaborative, and committed to racial, economic, and ecological justice.

AC currently has four staff members and works with an external firm for taxes, external bookkeeper, and a part time grants manager for financial reporting.

Our hope is that this role will be full-time and we recognize that talented candidates may only be able to devote part-time hours to this work. We are open to the role being part-time (24hrs/week) + benefits, or full-time (32hrs/week) + benefits. 

Key Responsibilities

Finance (50%)

• Serve as the internal point person with AC’s external bookkeeper, ensuring accurate and timely entry of all transactions (QuickBooks Online).

• Provide documentation, coding, and support to the bookkeeper for reconciliations, payroll, and expense reporting.

• Review monthly reports prepared by the bookkeeper and present clear financial updates to staff and board.

• Oversee annual budget development, working budgets, and quarterly board reporting in collaboration with Co-Directors.

• Track grant budgets, contracts, and restricted funds, ensuring compliance with funder requirements.

• Coordinate annual 990 tax completion and annual audit.

• Ensure compliance with GAAP and nonprofit financial best practices.

• Support long-term financial planning, reserves, and sustainability strategies.

• Supervise and provide strategic guidance to the Accounting Lead and Grants Manager and accounting staff, serving as back-up across functions as needed.

Operations & HR (50%)

• Oversee payroll on Quickbooks Online, benefits administration, and workers’ compensation.

• Maintain HR policies (hiring, onboarding, leave, evaluations, termination, etc.) consistent with AC’s collective handbook and CA labor law.

• In collaboration with Co-directors, help facilitate collective governance, staff meetings, retreats, and participatory decision-making.

• Support staff in accessing professional development, wellness, and leave benefits.

• Manage contracts, leases, and insurance.

• Contribute to building an inclusive, supportive, and equitable organizational culture.

• Oversee organizational compliance (state/federal nonprofit law, filings, insurance, licensing, etc.).

• Ensure smooth internal communications and recordkeeping systems (Google Drive, Asana, Slack).

• Support transparent reporting and radical accountability practices across programs.

• Provide oversight on HR and employee relations matters.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in nonprofit finance management involving federal or state grants, and 3+ years experience in operations and HR management.

• Strong knowledge of GAAP accounting, nonprofit compliance, and HR best practices in California.

• Experience with QuickBooks Online and budget management across multiple funding sources including federal and state grants.

• Experience working effectively with external accountants or bookkeepers, including providing documentation, reviewing reports, and ensuring timely reconciliations.

• Ability to design and manage organizational systems with attention to detail and follow-through.

• Excellent communication skills and ability to translate financial/operational info to non-specialists.

• Commitment to food sovereignty, agroecology, racial justice, and collective liberation.

• Experience working in shared leadership or cooperative structures is a strong plus.

• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.

Working Conditions & Benefits

• Flexible hybrid schedule; some in-person meetings and events in the Bay Area required, at least once per week preferred.

• Comprehensive benefits package including healthcare silver plan, wellness stipends, and professional development. Health insurance will start the first day following the first 30 days of employment. 

• Paid time off:

  • For 24 hours a week: 9  days  vacation, 12 holidays, 5 days sick/wellness leave and annual winter/summer week- long hibernation/office closure.

  • For 32 hours a week: 12 days  vacation, 12 holidays, 6 days sick/wellness leave and annual winter/summer week-long hibernation/office closure. 

Trial Period Overview

We intend for this to be a long-term position within our collective. To start, however, the role will begin as a six-month trial period.

We want to be transparent with candidates: continuing the role beyond the trial period will depend on the candidate being a good fit for the collective and AC meeting our fundraising goals. We feel optimistic about our trajectory, but as a nonprofit reliant on grants and donor support, we want to be as transparent as possible and for anyone considering this role to make an informed decision with us.

During the trial period, we’ll check in monthly to make sure the role is working well for both you and the team, and we’ll communicate clearly and as early as possible about the path forward as the six months progress.

Location: Remote or Hybrid (Strong preference for local presence in the California Bay Area)Reports to: Co-Executive DirectorsStatus: Option for part time (24hrs/wk) OR full time (32hrs/wk), salaried position with a 6-month trial period (see below).Compensation: $67,500 annually for 24 hours/week + benefits or $90,000 annually for 32 hours/week + benefits.

To Apply

Please complete THIS FORM. Please include a cover letter explaining why you’d like to work for Agroecology Commons and explaining your experience in Finance & Operations. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please also state whether you would prefer a 24 hour/week or 32 hour/week position. 

About Agroecology Commons

Agroecology Commons (AC) is a worker-directed nonprofit based in Oakland, CA, advancing food sovereignty, land justice, and ecological farming through education, resource-sharing, and collective stewardship. We operate the Commons — a shared land and infrastructure hub — and run farmer education programs, seed grants, and cooperative learning networks serving farming communities across the Bay Area and beyond.

AC is structured as a worker self-directed organization governed through circles and collective decision-making. We are rooted in the values of cooperation, solidarity, and the belief that a just food system must be led by and for farmers, people of color, immigrants, and working-class communities.

Role Overview

The Commons Coordinator is a key operational and relational hub for Agroecology Commons' educational work and physical commons. This role centers the day-to-day coordination that makes farmer education possible: logistics, communication, documentation, and hands-on stewardship of shared spaces and resources.

The person in this role will work collaboratively with AC staff, farmers, partners, and community members across three interconnected areas: educational programming, communications, and commons stewardship. This is a wonderful role for someone who is organized, relationship-oriented, and excited to be embedded in a working food sovereignty organization.

Key Responsibilities

Educational Programming & Community Engagement 

Support the planning, coordination, and hosting of community-centered programming at the commons.

• Coordinate logistics for workshops, trainings, field days, and community learning events

• Support outreach, registration, and participant communications

• Host and facilitate day-of event operations

• Coordinate presenters, farmers, and partner organizations

• Track attendance and maintain program documentation

• Support bilingual programming (Spanish/English preferred)

• Assist with evaluation and feedback collection to support program improvement and grant reporting

• Coordinate volunteer workdays

• Recruitment, education, and onboarding of Land Commons Farmers 

• Provide support to the other program areas as needed

Communications 

• Capture content on the farm (photos, videos, etc.)

• Support in the creation of educational materials

• Posting and interacting on social media

• Support with newsletter to farmer network and annual reporting

• Creation of instructional videos in collaboration with program staff 

Commons Stewardship

Support the care and stewardship of shared commons spaces, infrastructure, and community resources. 

• Coordination and hosting of volunteers, interns, and guests

• Participate in site upkeep and stewardship activities at the farm and commons

• Assist with shared infrastructure organization and maintenance

• Help implement stewardship protocols and shared-use systems

• Help maintain welcoming, functional, and community-centered spaces
  

Competencies & Qualifications

We recognize that relevant experience comes from many paths — community organizing, farm work, teaching, cooperative management, and more. We encourage you to apply if you see yourself in the majority of these qualifications.

Required

• Experience in community-based programming, food systems, agroecology, farming, or land-based education

• Strong organizational and coordination skills — comfortable managing multiple logistics at once

• Clear, warm communication skills with diverse audiences including farmers, partners, and community members

• Comfort with digital tools and platforms (Google Workspace, Asana, or similar)

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a small team environment

• Commitment to food sovereignty, agroecology, or land-based community work

• Physical comfort with hands-on outdoor work (farm visits, workdays, site stewardship)

• Ability to work Saturdays (as needed)

Nice to Have

• Bilingual in English and Spanish (written and spoken)

• Familiarity with grant reporting, or nonprofit administration

• Experience with digital learning platforms or online community management

Values Alignment

• Collaborative, relationship-centered approach to work

• Cultural humility and experience working with BIPOC, immigrant, and working-class farming communities

• Genuine interest in growing within a cooperative, worker self-directed organization

Compensation & Benefits

AC is committed to just and equitable compensation. This is a full-time (32hr/wk) or PT (up to 24hrs/wk), $40/hr salaried, exempt position. This is a six-month position, with the potential for extension contingent upon continued funding.

How to Apply

To apply, please provide your resume and a brief cover letter describing your interest in this role and your connection to agroecology, food sovereignty, or community-based food work via this APPLICATION FORM. 

This position will remain open until filled. We will acknowledge all applications and move candidates through our process with transparency and care.

Agroecology Commons is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, women, and others from communities historically excluded from food systems leadership.

About Agroecology Commons

Agroecology Commons (AC) is a worker-directed nonprofit based in Oakland, CA, advancing food sovereignty, land justice, and agroecological farming through farmer-to-farmer education, resource-sharing, and collective stewardship. We operate the Commons — a shared land and infrastructure hub — and run farmer education programs, seed grants, and cooperative learning networks serving farming communities across the Bay Area and beyond.

AC is structured as a worker self-directed organization governed through circles and collective decision-making. We are rooted in the values of cooperation, solidarity, and the belief that a just food system must be led by and for farmers, people of color, immigrants, and working-class communities.

Role Overview

Land Commons Educator is a key operational and relational hub for Agroecology Commons' educational work and physical commons. This role centers the day-to-day coordination that makes farmer education possible: logistics, communication, documentation, and hands-on stewardship of shared spaces and resources.

The person in this role will work collaboratively with AC staff, farmers, partners, and community members across three interconnected areas: educational programming and platform management, seed grant coordination, and commons stewardship. This is a wonderful role for someone who is organized, relationship-oriented, and excited to be embedded in a working food sovereignty organization.

Key Responsibilities

Educational Programming 

Support the planning, coordination, and hosting of educational programming and farmer skillshares.

• Support the AC farmer network, current and future land common farmers, and AC staff 

• Provide  mentorship, technical assistance, land commons training, data collection, and educational curriculum development

• Recruitment of and outreach to AC’s farmers' network and be the point of contact for the land commons advisory and evaluation team

• Plan and coordinate  workshops, trainings, field days, and community learning events

• Plan and coordinate outreach, registration, and participant communications

• Host and facilitate day-of event operations

• Coordinate presenters, farmers, and partner organizations

• Track attendance and maintain program documentation

• Support bilingual programming (Spanish/English preferred)

• Assist with evaluation and feedback collection to support program improvement and grant reporting

Farmer Campus Platform Management 

Support ongoing administration and community engagement of AC's Farmer Campus online education platform.

• Update platform content, calendars, announcements, and resource libraries

• Support user onboarding and troubleshooting for farmers and partners

• Co-lead agorecology course curriculum development and digital content organization in collaboration with staff and partners

• Support and monitor participation and engagement metrics

• Support accessibility and usability improvements

• Expand AC online education to address access to land, capital, and market opportunity strategies

Seed Grant Program Coordination 

Lead administration and coordination of seed grant opportunities for farmers.

• Lead outreach and grant application processes

• Support communications with applicants and grantees

• Track timelines, submissions, and reporting requirements

• Maintain organized grant records and documentation

• Coordinate disbursement logistics and follow-up reporting

• Support equitable, participatory, and transparent grantmaking practices

Commons Stewardship 

Support the care and stewardship of shared commons spaces, infrastructure, and community resources.

• Participate in site upkeep and stewardship activities at the farm and commons

• Support volunteer coordination and workdays

• Assist with shared infrastructure organization and maintenance

• Help implement stewardship protocols and shared-use systems

• Help maintain welcoming, functional, and community-centered spaces

Cooperative Governance

• Participate in weekly meetings, annual retreats, and quarterly feedback and learning processes. 

Competencies & Qualifications

We recognize that relevant experience comes from many paths — community organizing, farm work, agroecology education, cooperative management, and more. We encourage you to apply if you see yourself in the majority of these qualifications.

Required

• Experience in community-based programming, food systems, agroecology, farming, or land-based education

• Strong organizational and coordination skills — comfortable managing multiple logistics at once

• Clear, warm communication skills with diverse audiences including farmers, partners, and community members

• Comfort with digital tools and online communication platforms (Zoom, Google Workspace, Asana, or similar)

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a small team environment

• Commitment to food sovereignty, agroecology, or land-based community work

• Physical comfort with hands-on outdoor work (farm visits, workdays, site stewardship)

Nice to Have

• Bilingual in English and Spanish (written and spoken)

• Familiarity with grantmaking, grant reporting, or nonprofit administration

• Experience with digital learning platforms or online community management

Values Alignment

• Collaborative, relationship-centered approach to work

• Cultural humility and experience working with BIPOC, immigrant, and working-class farming communities

• Genuine interest in growing within a cooperative, worker self-directed organization

Compensation & Benefits

AC is committed to just and equitable compensation. This is a full-time (32hr/wk) or PT (up to 24hrs/wk), $40/hr salaried, exempt position. This is a six-month position, with the potential for extension contingent upon continued funding.

How to Apply

To apply, please provide a resume and a brief cover letter describing your interest in this role and your connection to agroecology, food sovereignty, or community-based food work via this APPLICATION FORM. This position will remain open until filled. We will acknowledge all applications and move candidates through our process with transparency and care.

Agroecology Commons is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, women, and others from communities historically excluded from food systems leadership.