County Manager Associate

IAA Illinois Agricultural Association; United States; Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance benefits

401(k) with company match

Parental leave

Paid time off

Company holidays

Time off to volunteer

Job summary

Illinois Farm Bureau offers a structured training program starting in June 2027 to prepare individuals for a County Farm Bureau Manager role. Participants learn through IFB and county offices, rotating through programs, events and member engagement.

The program emphasizes leadership, staff supervision, financial basics, facilities management, and partnerships with IFB and county bureaus, with opportunities to contribute to communications and publications.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills.
• Self-starter attitude.
• Organized disposition and strong time management.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Motivate, lead and supervise County Farm Bureau staff and engage members.
• Understand and assist with financial management of a CFB.
• Support facilities management, leases, insurance, and related responsibilities.
• Assist with events, conferences and communications for IFB/CFBs.
• Contribute to the publishing, media and digital presence of the county bureau.

Skills

Excellent communication

Self-starter

Organized

Ability to work on multiple projects

Job description

About the role

Participates in a detailed training program that includes various training activities with the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) and on‑the‑job training at county Farm Bureaus (CFBs), with the end goal of becoming a County Farm Bureau Manager. We are a membership organization. Our County Manager Associates learn how to successfully run a County Farm Bureau office, conduct programs and events for members, and focuses on recruiting and engaging members at the county level. This position will start in June 2027.

How does this role make an impact?

• Develops a basic understanding of IFB and CFB history and structure.
• Develops the ability to successfully motivate, lead and supervise CFB staff and organize and motivate members.
• Develops an understanding of the financial management aspects of a CFB.
• Becomes familiar with the duties associated with physical plant maintenance, lease agreements/negotiations, property/casualty coverage, liability insurance, and other related responsibilities.
• 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.
• Becomes familiar with the practices necessary to support a successful CFB publication.
• Understands major revenue streams such as dues, compensation, royalty and grants.
• Works various projects as assigned by IFB and CFBs.
• 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.
• Develops an understanding of websites and social media options, including how to create or improve sites.
• Develops skills to conduct the business writing requirements of a county Farm Bureau manager.
• Learns about and assists IFB staff with various events, activities and conferences.

Do you have what we're looking for?

Preferred qualifications:

• Excellent communication skills
• Self‑starter
• Organized
• Ability to work on multiple projects at once
• Successful completion of the training program requires a willingness to relocate to the designated Illinois county in which employment is accepted.

Base pay range

Base pay range: $22.00 per hour. The base pay range represents the typical range of potential salary offers for candidates hired. Factors used to determine your actual salary include your specific skills, qualifications and experience.

Why work with us?

Illinois Farm Bureau planted roots in 1916 and is one of the largest Farm Bureau organizations in the United States. Illinois Farm Bureau is a voice for Illinois farmers, farm families, and anyone involved in food and agriculture. That covers a lot of ground. Illinois Farm Bureau represents members in Springfield, IL and Washington D.C. When you become a part of Illinois Farm Bureau, you become part of something that touches the lives of people every day. You truly make a difference.

You'll be able to take advantage of our benefits package, which includes

• insurance benefits (medical, dental, vision, disability, and life)
• 401(k) with company match
• parental leave
• paid time off
• paid company holidays
• time off to volunteer

Equal Opportunity

Illinois Farm Bureau is committed to providing equal opportunity in all areas of employment, and in providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, disability, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations.

Visa

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

IFB Headquarters and Hybrid Positions

IFB is headquartered in Bloomington, IL, with hybrid positions available at our home office and statewide across our 93 County Farm Bureau offices.

Our Mission

Improve the economic well‑being of agriculture and enrich the quality of farm family life. Since 1916, IFB has remained dedicated to advocating for farmers and agriculture, connecting the farming community with consumers and promoting the values and quality of life we hold dear in Illinois.

We’re a grassroots membership organization made up of people who support farms, food and families in Illinois.

Our members join because they are looking for advocacy, access to reliable agricultural information and education and our member benefits. We also invest in the future of agriculture via the IAA Foundation, grow agricultural leaders through developmental programming and events, cultivate environmental stewardship and champion innovation by working with our partner and affiliated organizations, such as COUNTRY Financial; GROWMARK; Prairie Farms Dairy and the state commodity groups.

Our employees — regardless of their connection to agriculture — are instrumental in providing this value to our members by creating and managing programs, services and activities. We support their development through continuous learning and training, tuition assistance and a competitive, full‑range package of benefits.

Our people are our members’ neighbors, and we work to ensure they share the same opportunities for personal and professional growth and contributing to their communities.