Join our team

Development Associate

The Development Associate will be responsible for identifying, researching, and applying for foundation grants and individual donor funding opportunities to support existing and planned program activities of MSCEL. In addition, they will assist the Executive Director (ED) in other administrative tasks related to MSCEL operations.

The ideal candidate has previous experience and proven success in the development field, is self-motivated, professional, and capable of managing their workload and prioritizing tasks.

Duties

• Collaborate with ED in creation of a funding strategy (inclusive of grant seeking).
• Researches and identifies new foundation, individual, corporate and government support that aligns with MSCEL objectives. Then recommends a prioritized list of funders to seek support from.
• Generates high-quality proposals, narratives, applications and supporting documents for grants.
• Create a “grants language library” that will house agreed-to template language.
• Serves as a liaison to all funding agencies, organizations and individuals.
• Collaborates with ED to create expenditure and income budgets to accompany proposals.
• Develops and maintains a grants calendar to ensure timely submission of letters of inquiry, proposals, and reports.
• Builds and maintains a grants database which will store all submitted materials and funder paperwork.
• Remains up to date on current issues relative to grant proposals.
• Meets regularly with ED/Board/Advisory Board to discuss current and new funding needs.
• Acts as the administrative point of contact between ED and internal/external demands, including faculty, staff, and students’ interactions in the lead up to each program.
• Maintains calendar by planning and scheduling meetings, zoom meetings, and travel.
• Assist with purchases of materials and ensuring operation of equipment.
• Assist with expenditure management and budget tracking.
• Prepares reports by collecting and analyzing information, provides historical reference by developing and utilizing filing and retrieval systems, recording meeting discussions.
• Maintains confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential.

Minimum Education, Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Grant writing experience, preferably with an education focus.
• Experience demonstrating a proven track record of securing new funding opportunities.
• Excellent writing, analytical, and research skills.
• Be highly organized with the ability to implement systems and follow-up processes.
• Excellent Computer skills (Microsoft Office Word, Access, PowerPoint and Excel), and database management skills.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work collaboratively and independently with purpose and accuracy.

Hours, Location, and Compensation

This position starts immediately and is categorized as Contract, at 15-20h per week for the first 3 months. After this period a full-time position may be considered. Compensation ranges from $30-$45/h, commensurate with experience.
The position can be remote, but it is a requirement of all candidates that they must be able to travel to Catskill, NY, at least biweekly (housing can be provided for one to two nights at a time if needed).

How to apply

Please apply through Listings Project or Idealist.

Deadline to apply is May 5th, 2025.

Property Manager / Caretaker

The Property Manager will be responsible for repairs and maintenance of all buildings in the property, general garden and landscape maintenance, and leadership of MSCEL students during the manual labor hours.

The ideal candidate has previous experience in property management / landscaping and is proactive, professional, and self-motivating.

Duties

  • Planning for, preparing, and leading a group of amateur students doing manual labor (focused on food production, maintenance, and landscaping work).

  • General repairs and maintenance of several historic buildings: responding to maintenance requests, coordinating repairs, and ensuring prompt completion.

  • Preventative maintenance of infrastructure and buildings: implementing a schedule for routine maintenance tasks to prevent costly repairs. Conducting regular inspections to identify potential issues ahead of time.

  • Small building and construction projects: undertaking small construction projects in the property, and hiring and managing subcontractors to do jobs when needed.

  • Gardening and landscaping: general maintenance, planting, mowing, vegetable and flower gardens management.

  • Farm equipment maintenance: ensure all spaces, tools and equipment are tidy, well maintained, and in working order.

Skills and abilities

  • This is a management position. Candidate must demonstrate initiative and be self-motivating.

  • Proven experience as a property manager, groundskeeper or a similar role.

  • Proficiency in using hand tools and power tools.

  • Knowledge of construction techniques and materials.

  • Gardening and landscaping knowledge.

Hours, Location, and Compensation

This position starts immediately and is categorized as Contract, at 30h per week for the first 2 months. After this period a full-time position will be considered. Compensation ranges from $20-$30/h, commensurate with experience.
This is an in-person position based in Catskill, NY 12414. Candidates must reside within 20min of Catskill, or be able to relocate. A stipend for relocation will be considered for the right candidate.

How to apply

To apply, email a cover letter, resume, including a minimum of three references to info at matthewstrother.org