Forester Jobs in Rochester, NY (NOW HIRING)

Description/Job Summary

Join a team focused on the success of our customers, the success of our communities, and the success of each other. Farm Credit East (FCE) is the leading provider of loans and farm advisory services to farm, forest product, fishing, and other agricultural business owners across the northeast with $13.5 billion in total loan volume and $29 million in annual financial services revenue from 18,000 customers across our 8-state territory. We are One Team Working Together with a focus on our five pillars: Outstanding Customer and Employee Experience, Quality Growth, Operational Excellence, Commitment to our Communities, and Protecting Customer Information.

The Loan Officer is a customer focused role serving in a relationship management capacity to represent the Association with both existing and prospective borrowers. This person delivers a personalized experience for Farm Credit East customers and employs a proactive versus reactive approach to exceed the borrower’s expectations. This person prioritizes and aligns their approach to customer service based on customer segmentation in lieu of a one-size-fits-all approach. 

The value drivers for this role are as follows: 

• Promotes portfolio growth with new and existing customers through value-add interactions and high visibility in the community and on the farm 
• Cements customer relationships with a consultative lending approach driving sustainability for both the customer and the Association 

Come join a collaborative, customer-focused team at Farm Credit East!

Duties and Responsibilities

Customer Centric 

• Manages the day-to-day customer relationships of credits within your respective customer segment (Agribusiness or Retail)  
• Proactive portfolio management by understanding and analyzing industry trends, market data, and customer knowledge leading to a consultative lending approach   
• Positions a team approach serving as the lead for all customer facing activities with support from loan coordinator or financial services 
• Creates and maintains a documented 360-degree view of the customer, in the core application, to maximize the customer experience 
• Work collaboratively with teammates to generate cross-selling results and a best-in-class customer experience through a cohesive and holistic approach 
• Provides functional guidance to credit analysts, loan doc specialists and other roles to ensure customer’s requirements are met while conforming to credit policy and requirements 
• Monitors borrowers within assigned loan portfolio to document compliance with terms and conditions, covenants, inspections, credit quality, and risk assessment to ensure a safe and sound portfolio  
• Meets with existing and prospective customers to review financials, propose loan structure, evaluate pricing options and address short-term and long-term objectives of the borrower 

Business Development

• Achieve growth targets by performing business development activities that expand existing customer relationships and bring new customers to the Association  
• Seeks and vets both traditional and non-traditional opportunities, ranging from the farm to the agri-business along with all participants of the ag value chain who are credit worthy and  eligible 
• Prioritizes high value add interactions with customers day in and day out through active relationships and sound customer understanding 
• Promotes the FCE brand in their region 
• Builds and nurtures Centers of Influence (community presence, network, and external partners) to generate new referrals 
• Utilizes the 360-degree view of the customer to drive cross-selling opportunities – identify, collaborate, generate, or act upon, internal referrals to or from other segments of Farm Credit East 
• Develops expertise and working knowledge within Ag segments, serving as a Trusted Advisor 
• Embraces the transformation of the Association through adoption and utilization of new processes, procedures, and digital tools with the intent to deliver a high-level customer experience 

Job Qualifications and Requirements:

• This position requires a Bachelor's degree in Economics, Finance, Accounting, Business or a related field. Knowledge of agriculture, finance, and credit administration is preferred.
• Knowledge of agriculture, finances, credit and credit administration. Strong marketing and interpersonal skills are required, as are verbal and written communications and analytical skills. Must be team oriented. The position requires the ability to travel as needed.
• We offer hybrid work options after two months of employment with Farm Credit East. Hybrid work options are determined based on job role and balancing the needs of the customers, the team, and individual work performance. This will be reviewed based on manager discretion. 

Compensation and Benefits:

• Salary range: $75,000 - $105,000 commensurate with experience
• Short Term Incentive to reward business results  
• Retirement Contributions:
  
  • 401(k) match up to 6% of salary; or for those unable to take full advantage of the 401(k) match, verified student loan payments may qualify for an employer match in your 401(k) up to 6% of salary
  • Defined Contribution retirement plan funded at 2-9% of salary depending on years of service
• Time Off:
  • 15-25 days of vacation leave per year, depending on years of service
  • 12 days of holiday leave per year
  • 7.5 days of sick leave in your first year , followed by 12 days of sick leave per year thereafter; unlimited rollover of unused sick leave year to year
  • Paid Parental Leave: Up to 80 hours of paid leave for birthing, non-birthing, and adoptive parents
  • Family Care Leave: Additional leave options available under FMLA and company policy
• Health and Insurance:
  • programs to support your overall health and well-being
  • Health Savings Account
  • Life insurance at 2x base pay
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance at 2x base pay
  • Long-term disability insurance at 2/3 base pay
• Additional Benefits:
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Continuing education and training
  • Employee Assistance Program offering a wide variety of tools and resources
• Benefits Eligibility
  • Eligibility Begins: First of the month following your hire date
  • Eligible Employees: Full-time employees working 30+ hours per week; Part-Time employees working 20+ hours per week.