Agriculture Conservation Practitioner

The Agriculture Conservation Coordinator works with the Agriculture team to develop, manage, influence, and advance conservation programs, restoration projects, partnerships, and agriculture conservation methods. This position supports The Nature Conservancy in Ohio’s Agriculture Strategy centered on: Soil Health and Nutrient Management, Water Management, and Restoration of Natural Infrastructure/Nature Based Solutions. The Agriculture Conservation Coordinator advances agriculture conservation methods based on current best science and implements a variety of strategies to secure public and private support for Ohio’s agriculture conservation priorities. This position will be based at the Defiance, Ohio office.

 

The Agriculture Conservation Coordinator assists with implementing, tracking and reporting on activities to promote and increase public awareness and communicate TNC’s agriculture and conservation message and goals. The Conservation Coordinator will provide project/data management, administrative tasks, and communication of outcomes to support soil health and nutrient management outreach programs focused on peer-to peer learning and elevated phosphorus fields in the Western Lake Erie Basin watershed. Work will include direct engagement with agriculture producers, travel to field sites and event planning. Position is contingent upon funding with funding currently secured through December 2022.

 

·      Work on multi-disciplinary projects to advance soil health and nutrient management, water management, and natural infrastructure strategies in the Western Lake Erie Basin.

·      Plan and execute farmer education outreach, individual farmer meetings, management and development of databases for project tracking, reporting and communication of results.

·      Assist in development of a program for farmers/farm advisors to locate and apply conservation to elevated phosphorus fields.

·      Collaboratively engage and cooperate with TNC staff, as well as external partners such as public agencies, universities, agribusinesses, commodity groups, individual farmers and non-governmental organizations.

·      Perform multiple tasks with minimal supervision and make decisions based on scientific analysis, experience and context.

·      Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.

·      Work with vendors and farmers to execute contracts and program deliverables.

·      Must be willing to travel overnight, work in variable weather conditions, and at remote locations.

 

·      Bachelor’s degree and 3 years of experience in agriculture systems, on-farm management, and/or non-profit organizations related to agriculture, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

·      Demonstrated experience to work independently to manage and prioritize tasks from multiple projects and project contacts.

·      Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills such as active listening, curiosity for the motivation of all parties, optimism in relationships and projects, and the ability to adapt to different styles within a learning organization.

·      Knowledge of current trends and practices in agriculture and conservation as it relates to soil health, nutrient management, harmful algal blooms, and other water quality and quantity impairments.

·      Demonstrated experience with communication via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages. Specific experience with agricultural audiences is required.

·      Demonstrated experience in situations and experiences related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

·      Proficiency with computers and especially with Microsoft Office suite.

·      Must have valid driver's license.

 

·      Five to seven years of experience and/or some combination of advance education and direct work experience in agriculture.

·      Demonstrated experience with non-profit program management and operation budgets.

·      Ability to dynamically articulate and communicate within and outside the organization through visual, written, and spoken modes.

·      Demonstrated grant-writing and management experience.

·      Ability to gather and analyze program-level assessments and regularly track and report programmatic outcomes.

·      Demonstrated ability to establish and steward diverse relationships within the agriculture community.

·      Ability to apply science to decision-making and to guide activities.

·      Practical knowledge of soil health, livestock management, agriculture best management practices.