State Relations Specialist

About the role

The primary responsibility of this position is to serve as a liaison between National FFA Organization and state FFA associations while working to initiate, build, and maintain relationships within the organization. Duties include establishing and maintaining relationships with state leadership while collaborating with internal staff who manage and operate programs and instructional materials for local and state program improvement.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain relationships with state leadership and local teachers with a primary focus on educational services as a liaison and support for FFA staff.
• Understand the trends within program areas of agriculture education and/or FFA.
• Work to understand state initiatives and needs.
• Develop and manage projects from start to finish utilizing needs assessments, content, collaboration and distribution.
• Facilitate relationships within state leadership, teachers and colleagues at FFA.
• Complete reports to summarize travel, communication and information between states and the organization.
• Manage budget to ensure financial responsibilities.
• Perform the mental and physical demands of the position.
• Work as a team player with the ability to work independently in a frequently changing environment.
• Provide excellent customer service to internal and/or external customers.
• Effectively prioritize, organize, use time-management skills, and be adept at multi-tasking.
• Demonstrate accuracy, attention to detail, and ability to problem solve and analyze.
• Use computer proficiently and be able to make and receive phone calls.
• Speak confidently in front of small and large groups.
• Provide stakeholder trainings utilizing approved national FFA materials and methods.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in agricultural education required.
• Master’s degree preferred.

Experience

• 5–7 years of related educational experience or extensive state or national staff experience.

Skills

• Outstanding interpersonal, listening, written and verbal communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to interact, influence and work with a diverse group of internal/external people.