Insurance Agent

AgWest Farm Credit is a member-owned financial cooperative that provides financing and related services to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, commercial fishermen, timber producers, rural homeowners and crop insurance customers in a seven-state territory in the Western United States. AgWest is part of the 100+ year-old Farm Credit System – the leading provider of credit to American agriculture. AgWest champions the growth and advancement of agriculture, the value of rural communities, and the vital contribution our customers make to the economy and society. We serve customers in 59 locations throughout the West. We are in search of an Insurance Agent II or Insurance Agent III to join our California Lending and Insurance department at one of our California branch locations. This full-time position reports to the SVP, Insurance and is responsible for providing high quality, profitable and constructive insurance products and related services to customers, maintaining a high level of proactive marketing and portfolio management, and through actions, creating a positive image of AgWest to customers, insurance professionals and the general public. Compensation Information The base salary range for this position in Bakersfield, Paso Robles, Tulare, Yuba City: Level II: Typical starting range: $80,000 - $110,100 Full base salary range: $80,000 - $137,800 Annual performance-based incentive target is 15% of base. Level III: Typical starting range: $98,800 - $137,400 Full base salary range: $98,800 - $191,400 Annual performance-based incentive target is 20% of base. The base salary range for this position in Woodland: Level II: Typical starting range: $83,100 - $114,600 Full base salary range: $83,100 - $144,100 Annual performance-based incentive target is 15% of base. Level III: Typical starting range: $103,000 - $143,000 Full base salary range: $103,000 - $199,800 Annual performance-based incentive target is 20% of base. Essential Duties Market and sell insurance products by communicating with and receiving information from customers in the office and off-site. Actively solicit sales from referral sources, including internal staff. May also develop sales leads from direct mail campaigns, lists and telemarketing. Establish rapport with and develop and maintain confidence of customers and other related professionals by: Educating customers on the crop insurance processes; effectively communicating rates, fees, terms and time frames with the customer; consistently meeting timeframe and product expectations; and, following through to ensure the customer and others are satisfied with the service and final product. Gather needed information through interviews in person, by phone, or using the Internet. Read and understand production information from various sources including, but not limited to, customer records and tax records. Comply with Federal and individual company’s documentation expectations, submission timelines, procedures, laws and regulations. Maintain state agent’s license through required continuing educational training/seminars. Work with insurance representatives to resolve policy issues that affect producer’s insurance coverage. Communicate proactively to ensure excellent customer service and seek to ensure profitability of assigned portfolio. Represent and communicate the values, purpose and mission of AgWest to employees, customers, the public and target audiences. This may include joining or actively supporting appropriate organizations and civic groups and actively participating in sponsored events and programs. Perform all duties and maintain all standards in accordance with company policies, procedures, and internal controls. Other duties as assigned. Travel Requirements Willingness and ability to travel up to 40%, including overnight travel throughout the AgWest California territory. AgWest employees may occasionally be asked to travel for all-staff or team meetings not included in the standard travel requirements for the role. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in business or ag-related field or equivalent experience Ability to market, sell, and effectively negotiate terms on behalf of AgWest, both verbally and in writing Understanding of the local insurance industry and agricultural markets Knowledge of agricultural practices and crop and livestock production Working knowledge of FCIC regulations and procedures, including legal terminology Ability to understand, interpret, and explain insurance policies and procedures Appropriate State Insurance Agent Licenses Generally, requires three to five years' experience selling, servicing, or supporting crop insurance policies. Preferred Qualifications Knowledge of Farm Credit policies and procedures, eligibility requirements and products Workplace Flexibility After an initial in-office training period, this position is eligible for workplace flexibility and a one-time home office stipend. This position is eligible for coordinated hybrid flexibility Benefits Offered by AgWest Medical, dental, and vision insurance Basic term life and AD&D insurance (fully paid for by the company) Paid days off annually: 15 vacation*, 15 sick, 12 holidays and 3 volunteer 401(k) plan (6% match plus 3% employer contribution) Employee Assistance Program Wellness Program Jeans are welcome at work every day at AgWest! *Vacation accrual rates increase with tenure. Details about insurance and retirement benefits are available at: Job level and starting annual salary will be based on a variety of factors including but not limited to experience, education, certifications/licensure, internal equity, location, business needs and market demands. The listed compensation and benefits information is accurate as of the posting date. AgWest reserves the right to adjust compensation for all positions and modify or discontinue benefits programs at its sole discretion, subject to applicable law. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender orientation, national origin, marital status, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by law. When you apply for a position with AgWest Farm Credit, we collect personal identifiers (from your resume and other application information you submit), such as your name, email address, mailing address, telephone number(s) and employment and education related information. This helps us evaluate job applicants for hiring opportunities, and, communicate with them. To comply with federal regulations for equal employment opportunity and affirmative action (EEO/AA), we track our applicants by gender, race/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, and the position for which they applied. You will be presented with a voluntary self-identification form as part of this application; we wanted you to know why we collect this information and what we do with it. Please be aware that this information is kept separate from your application, and not utilized in the selection process. For more information about the information AgWest Farm Credit collects, please see the AgWest Farm Credit California Privacy Policy.