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COUNTRY Financial

County Farm Bureau Manager Trainee - Start Date: January 2018

Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) is seeking to fill County Manager Trainee positions. As a County Manager Trainee, you will begin an in-depth, 8-week hands-on training program that includes training both in the IFB home office and various County Farm Bureau offices throughout the state of Illinois. Through this training you will learn what it takes to become a County Manager; including how to work with and motivate volunteers, develop membership acquisition strategies, policy development, personnel issues, legislative issues, event planning, public relations, media training, and more.

Responsibilities:

  • Assists a county Farm Bureau with work activities under supervision of the Field Operations Manager and the Regional Manager. Within approval of those supervisors, assists county Farm Bureau manager in an "on-the-job training" format.

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Develops skills and practices to organize and motivate county Farm Bureau member involvement structures.

  • Develops the ability to successfully motivate, lead and supervise county Farm Bureau staff.

  • Develops an understanding of the financial management aspects of a county Farm Bureau, including PeachTree accounting, budgeting process and financial statement reporting to county Farm Bureau board at regular monthly board meetings.

  • Becomes familiar with the duties associated with physical plant maintenance, lease agreements/negotiations, property/casualty coverage, liability insurance, etc.

  • Gains a perspective of the legislative and regulatory process at the local, state and national level.

  • Completes reviews and understands various agreements in place with affiliated companies, County Farm Bureaus and Illinois Farm Bureau i.e. county service agreements, uniform cooperative agreement, etc.

  • Becomes familiar with the practices necessary to support a successful County Farm Bureau publication.

  • Understands major revenue streams such as dues, compensation, royalty and grants.

  • Learns how to effectively deal with media, specifically regarding phone calls, other contacts and interview procedures.

  • Develops an understanding of the technology options that exist for facilitating member involvement, such as WebEx, videoconferencing, conference calling, etc.

  • Develops a basic understanding of Farm Bureau® history and structure.

  • Develops an in-depth understanding of the purpose/structure of the Member Services and Public Relations Division.

  • Develops a general understanding of purpose/structure of the Finance, Legal, Governmental Affairs & Commodities and Public Relations Divisions.

  • Understands what needs to be done for a County Farm Bureau to participate in the Illinois Agricultural Association Annual Meeting and the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting.

  • Develops an understanding of websites and social media options, including how to start up or improve existing sites.

  • Completes a mock interview with Regional Managers and other staff.

  • Develops skills to conduct the business writing requirements of a county Farm Bureau manager, including practical application and completion of assignments designed to enhance those skills.

  • Becomes familiar with IFB training opportunities/conferences available to members and staff.

  • Assists Illinois Farm Bureau staff with various work activities such as PEARS reports, Youth Conference, Young Leaders Conference, Ag Quiz Bowl, Ag in the Classroom activities, IAA Foundation activities, etc.

  • Performs other related work as required or requested.
  • Required Qualifications:

    • Bachelor's degree or equivalent in related work experience.

    • Experience with volunteer organization.

    • Experience planning, coordination and leading meetings.

    • Experience in developing and working with budgets.

    • Understanding of agricultural issues.

    • Possesses strong computer skills and have an understanding of technology.

    • Solid communication and organizational skills, including planning; leadership; and the ability to work effectively in a team setting.

    Preferred Qualifications:

    • Understands the tenets of membership processing, maintenance, and recruitment.

    • Ability to organize work and set daily priorities.

    • Excellent oral and written communication skills.

    • Effective collaboration skills with volunteers, staff and affiliated companies.

    • Ability to learn human resource skills to become a successful supervisor, including performance review practices, counseling techniques and interpersonal professional skills.

    • Ability to learn the fiduciary responsibilities associated with being a County Farm Bureau Manager.

    Physical Requirements:

    • Ability and willingness to travel.
    • Ability and willing to relocate in any county within Illinois is required.
    • Possesses and maintains a valid driver's license with the ability to drive a car.
    • There are minimal physical requirements for all CFB Manager positions, including setting-up meeting rooms, moving and setting up AV equipment and light lifting.

    Illinois Farm Bureau does not generally sponsor individuals for employment-based visas for this position.

    For more details about careers at Illinois Farm Bureau, please visit us online at www.ilfb.org/careers

    Job ID: c437bae03eee50cb9b30a867ae19a51e
    Employment Type: Other

    This job is no longer available.

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