Soil & Crop Conservation Planner

University Of Idaho; Idaho; On-site; USD 38,572 - 46,838; Part time

Job summary

University of Idaho is seeking a part-time position under the Innovative Agriculture and Marketing Partnership (IAMP) to engage with producers across Idaho. The role focuses on implementing conservation practices, nutrient management, and cropping strategies within funded projects and involves collaboration with soil and water districts, The Nature Conservancy, tribal partners, and extension staff.

The candidate will work up to 20 hours per week, with schedule determined at hire and travel as

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in soil science, agronomy, crop science, agroecology, biological systems engineering, or closely related field or 5 years experience as a crop/technical service provider.
• Experience with historic and innovative cropping systems of the region.
• Experience conducting research independently and collaborating as part of a research team.
• Experience working on large, integrated research projects.
• Experience preparing and delivering scientific presentations and technical reports.

Responsibilities

• Assist implementing partners and/or work directly with producers on developing nutrient, tillage, and cropping strategies which implement conservation practices on specific agricultural fields.
• Assist planners and/or work directly through a two-phased application process that includes compliance documentation as required by the USDA to ensure producers do not receive duplicate payments from multiple USDA programs for the same practice on the same field.
• Perform advanced compliance modeling to ensure unintended environmental impacts are not occurring within an enrolled field, including soil erosion modeling (RUSLE, WEPS) and nutrient losses (INTRA).
• Train, assist, and/or be directly involved in end-of-year meetings with producers to evaluate the impact of implemented practices on crop performance, profitability, soil carbon, and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Participate on a Review Advisory Committee that provides advice and evaluation on potential contracts and any compliance issues that are associated with grower contracts and agreements.
• Participate in meetings with IAMP project management and implementing partner meetings associated with technical issues of the grant.
• Attend and work with UI Extension on providing materials and information for field days.
• Assist in communication and engagement with producers on marketing opportunities for the commodities grown through the IAMP project.

Skills

Analytical skills

Remote sensing & GIS

Soil & crop sampling

Extension/outreach experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in soil science, agronomy, crop science, agroecology, biological systems engineering, or closely related field

5 years experience as a crop or technical service provider to producers

Tools

RUSLE

WEPS

INTRA

Job description

University of Idaho is seeking a part-time position under the Innovative Agriculture and Marketing Partnership (IAMP) to engage with producers across Idaho. The role focuses on implementing conservation practices, nutrient management, and cropping strategies within funded projects and involves collaboration with soil and water districts, The Nature Conservancy, tribal partners, and extension staff.

The candidate will work up to 20 hours per week, with schedule determined at hire and travel as