Crop Insurance Specialist

Company: Farm Credit Mid-America
Location: Valparaiso
Posted on: May 17, 2022

Job Description:

At Farm Credit Mid-America, we believe people are our strongest asset. We are consistently looking to hire individuals from a wide range of experience and skills who have a desire to serve. Currently, we have over 1,500 employees across Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Here is what our company offers:

• Competitive Salary
• 15 Vacation days, 15 Sick days, 11 Holidays
• Award winning 401(k) with outstanding employer match
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Short-term, Long-term, Life and other insurances
• Fitness incentive
• Tuition Assistance for employees and dependents
  BASIC FUNCTION: The Crop Insurance Specialist (CIS) is responsible for selling and servicing all types of crop insurance coverage. This person will build strong relationships with industry contacts; with Farm Credit Mid-America teams in the service territory and with the end customer. The CIS will use knowledge of insurance and agriculture to provide contacts with value added information and customized solutions for their individual needs.
  The CIS is responsible for compliance with all applicable insurance laws, regulations and all insurance company policies; and will be responsible for obtaining information needed for the insurance company to underwrite policies according to all appropriate laws and regulations. The CIS will work in the interest of providing the best possible crop insurance coverage that benefits both the customer and the Association.
  LOCATION: Home office can be in Valparaiso, IN or South Bend, IN.
  MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
  
  • CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS: The CIS will spend the majority of time working with customers to provide crop insurance coverage and follow up servicing. This includes efforts to build business contacts, and other referral network that aid in providing quality service to customers or prospects. Grade 15 CIS will spend the majority of time working with larger customers and the Agribusiness team.
    
    • SALES AND MARKETING: The position will aggressively market risk management practices through crop/livestock insurance products. This includes maintaining an active database of key prospects, key customers, and generating an ongoing list of new prospects. The objective is to create customer relationships that contribute towards Farm Credit Mid-America goals. The CIS will also be aggressive in referring new crop insurance customers to FSOs for new loan business. He/she will make group sales presentations and provide training for other team members, customers and the general public.
      
      • INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE: The CIS will build expertise in the areas of agriculture, risk management, insurance and technology and the needs of the ag producer market.
        
        • TECHNICAL COMPETENCE AND GENERAL SUPPORT: The CIS will insure the technical aspects of crop insurance processing and tracking (in assigned offices) are timely, accurate, and in compliance with policies and procedures. The position will support offices by communicating clearly on customer issues, and providing support when needs for other Farm Credit Mid-America products/services are identified.
          
          • RISK IDENTIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT: The CIS will play a critically important role in identifying risk and offering solutions to farmers for the financial risk in their farming operation.
            
            • COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: CIS will develop and maintain a significant professional presence throughout the assigned territory.
              
              • REPRESENTS AND COMMUNICATES THE MISSION AND VALUES OF FARM CREDIT MID-AMERICA and complies with its conduct policy, security policy and confidentiality expectations.
                KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:Knowledge of: products, services, fees and their applications to customers' needs; assigned market segment and territory; economic conditions; competition's products, competition preparing to moveinto market; selling techniques; agriculture; accounting systems; originating systems and processes; technology; policies and procedures, Crop Insurance Companies policies and procedures and all applicable insurance law and regulations .
                Skills in: Building relationships; creating and networking with contacts/influencers to develop sales; selling; negotiating; probing customer needs, matching products and services to customer needs; managing and using media effectively; interpersonal relations; public speaking, group presentations, listening; using accounting and loan origination systems; and computers; verbal and written communications; decision making; and creative problem solving.
                Ability to: Achieve goals; be innovative; accept and implement corporate strategies; demonstrate the values of the Association; maintain confidentiality; be a self-starter; sell; be assertive; relate positively to others; listen to customers; be logical; work under stress; overcome objections; manage time; accept risk; inspire others; professionally represent the Association.
                MENTAL AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:This job requires the incumbent to have the ability to---
                • Engage in telephone and face-to-face conversation to serve customers and give and receive information from customers, staff, vendors, outside consultants and the public.
                  • Use a computer and similar office technology and tools. This involves reading the screen and keying/typing information.
                    • Speak and make presentations to individuals or groups on technical subjects related to job.
                      • Travel via auto or commercial transportation to carry out essential responsibilities of the job.
                        • Successfully interact with and represent the organization to customers, staff, officers, board members, vendors, and/or the public at all levels.
                          • Provide sound technical advice to customers and other staff in the subject field(s) related to this position.
                            • Understand and explain various subject matter and consulting concepts, programs, terminology, and methods.
                              • Reason, judge, compare, calculate, evaluate, decide, and critique such information as written material, numerical data, responses to customer needs, and/or other related work activities.
                                Requirements of the job include the ability to do the work, with or without reasonable accommodations. It is the Association's policy to make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Leadership retains the right to add, subtract or change duties of the position at any time.
                                CITYIND STATEINDFarm Credit Mid-America is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status, disability or any other category protected by law.

Keywords: Farm Credit Mid-America, Gary , Crop Insurance Specialist, Other , Valparaiso, Indiana