Illinois Agricultural and Conservation Technical Specialist

Conservation Maven; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Coverage

Vision Coverage

401k Plan

Vacation & Holidays

Job summary

American Farmland Trust seeks an Illinois Agricultural and Conservation Technical Specialist to support soil health and water quality programming across the Midwest, with emphasis in Southeast Illinois. The role collaborates with farmers, landowners and agencies to design and implement conservation practices and watershed initiatives.

You will gather field data, prepare technical documents, and help coordinate cross-team activities while engaging diverse partners and delivering measurable

Qualifications

• Entrepreneurial, self-starter with ability to work independently and in a team.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree may substitute for 1 year of experience.
• Experience with NRCS planning process and watershed programs preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance to farmers and landowners on conservation practices per NRCS standards.
• Develop and launch farmer-led watershed programs with stakeholders.
• Coordinate with internal and external partners; represent AFT at meetings and events.
• Travel ~40% to engage with farmers and partners in SE Illinois.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Public outreach

Project coordination

Education

BA/BS degree

Advanced degree substitute for experience

Certified Conservation Planner

CCA certification

Tools

ArcGIS

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Minimum Experience|Minimum Experience* (220)* (167)* (85)### Illinois Agricultural and Conservation Technical Specialist| Min. Experience | |**Illinois Agricultural and Conservation Technical Specialist**Illinois Agricultural and Conservation Technical SpecialistFully Remote Effingham, Hybrid - Effingham, IL 62401ApplyOverviewSalary Range$70,000.00 - $75,000.00 Salary/yearLevelExperiencedPosition TypeFull TimeApplyDescription**Job purpose**The Illinois Agricultural and Conservation Technical Specialist position offers an exciting opportunity to support the strategic agenda of a growing, forward-looking conservation organization. S/he will have the opportunity to work across teams within AFTs Midwest Region, as well as with external partners including farmers, landowners, and agricultural professionals.This is a permanent position that will support and build on AFT producer-led programs in the Midwest, especially in Southeast Illinois. The Illinois Agricultural and Conservation Technical Specialist will work with farmers, farmland owners, state and federal agencies, agricultural service providers, and conservation leaders to coordinate across diverse partners and programs. Several of the programs will directly support the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). This is a remote work position based in Southeast Illinois and will report directly to the Midwest Senior Program Manager overseeing water quality initiatives.**Position summary**The Illinois Agricultural and Conservation Technical Specialist will play an active role in supporting the development and execution of regional, farmer-led soil health and water quality programming in Southeast Illinois (within 100 miles of Effingham County).**Duties and responsibilities****Technical Assistance*** Provide technical assistance in the form of conservation and agronomy expertise to farmers, landowners, farm advisors and partners in the adoption, implementation and management of conservation cropping systems practices, including necessary technical design standards for practice application.* Develop conservation practice recommendations and verify implementation according to NRCS standards and specifications.* Create technical documents for farmer-led watershed programs, including delivering presentations and summarizing research and data for reports, fact sheets, and other materials.* Engage farmers and agricultural service providers to identify challenges, needs, and opportunities related to conservation practices to improve soil health and water quality.* Gather field-based data, including soil health assessments, soil sampling, and forage or biomass sampling, as well as the organized management of field data.**Farmer Network Coordination*** Develop and launch farmer-led watershed programs in priority watersheds in Illinois by engaging with farmer leaders and program partners and sharing information with a diverse group of stakeholders across multiple formats, such as webinars, networking events, educational workshops, and field days.* Support establishment of farmer-led watershed groups and ongoing efforts related to administrative needs, event planning, scheduling meetings, etc.* Work with local partners to ensure success of farmer-led watershed groups in increasing adoption of conservation practices that improve soil health and water quality.**Internal and External Partner Engagement*** Plan, host, and represent AFT at public meetings, field days, and educational events in the region.* Participate in regular staff meetings and events, maintaining strong team culture among AFT staff.* Help build positive relations with the team and external partners.**Fundraising and budget management**This position does not have fundraising or budget management responsibilities.**Staff Supervision / Management**This position does not have supervisory or management responsibilities but will occasionally oversee project tasks completed by other team members.*This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities. Management reserves the right to revise the job or to require other or different duties be performed as assigned***Qualifications**The Illinois Agricultural and Conservation Technical Specialist must be entrepreneurial and a self-starter, outgoing and energetic, organized, and capable of working well independently as well as part of a team.* BA or BS degree and a minimum of 3 years of related work experience in agriculture or watershed/water quality outreach and planning. An advanced degree in one or more of the noted disciplines may substitute for 1 year of work experience.* Midwest conservation and agriculture experience with nutrient management, soil health principles, and conservation cropping systems, including the USDA-NRCS conservation planning process.* Certified Conservation Planner and/or Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) certification is preferred.* Experience developing compelling events, outreach tools, and/or programming that are responsive to partner needs and strategically relevant to target audiences.* Experience with public outreach and community engagement.* Must be able to work independently, deliver high-quality work in a dynamic organization under time pressure, and bring a collaborative, outgoing, professional, and innovative approach to tackling these issues.* Strong interpersonal skillsand the ability to work in a team environment.* Excellent communication skills (verbal and written), including the ability to translate technical content for distribution to non-technical audiences, with demonstrated commitment to high-quality work.* Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite. Preferred experience using ArcGIS and other spatial mapping tools.* Demonstrated commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and knowledgeable about how those principles can be effectively applied in practice.**Working conditions/Travel*** Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends to meet program needs and deadlines.* This position requires approximately 40% travel, primarily within Southeast Illinois, including the Embarrass and Little Wabash watersheds, to meet with farmers and partners. Travel will generally occur weekly, with overnight travel approximately once per month, and may include occasional travel throughout the Midwest. Future years may involve more extensive travel across Illinois. Mileage is reimbursed.* Candidates must currently live in or be willing to relocate to Southeast Illinois, within approximately 100 miles of Effingham County.**Degree of Supervision Received**Supervision, performing a variety of routine work within established policies and procedures and receives detailed instructions on new projects and assignments.**Degree of Supervision Given**Not applicable.**Compensation**American Farmland Trust offers excellent vacation, medical, retirement and other benefits. The salary range for this position is from $70,000 to $75,000 based upon experience.**American Farmland Trust offers a full benefits package for full time employees:*** Insurance coverage begins the 1st of the month following the date of hire.* Medical & Prescription Coverage* Dental Coverage* Vision Coverage* Company Paid Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability (LTD)* Voluntary Life Insurance* Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Healthcare & Dependent Care* Health Savings Account (HSA)* 401k Plan* Sick Leave: Regular full-time employees accrue 13 sick days per year.* Vacation Leave: Accrue 15 days during the first year increasing by one day per year to 20 days per year maximum.* Holidays: AFT observes twelve fixed holidays and a week between Christmas and New Years off during the year (all offices closed) plus a choice of up to three (depending on hiring month) floating holidays.**Why you should apply*** Be a part of a purpose-driven,