Technical Specialist, Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture

Virginia Tech; Blacksburg (VA); Remote; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech leads a climate-smart agriculture initiative funded by USDA-NRCS, spanning VA and across four states. The Technical Specialist will train partners to use COMET-Planner, COMET-Farm, and Fieldprint Calculator, while supporting farmers via technical coaching and data management.

This is a full-time, remote-within-Virginia role with travel to rural sites as needed. The position reports to the Project Director, requires a Bachelor’s in Agronomy or related field, and offers a competitive

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Soil Science, Crop Science, Environmental Science, or closely related field with relevant experience.
• Knowledge of NRCS conservation practices and their application in agricultural systems.
• Knowledge of crop and/or livestock production systems and conservation practices and their effects on soil health / emissions.
• Experience providing technical assistance, training, or educational support.
• Experience collecting, organizing, reviewing, and reporting data.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to learn new software.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain records.

Responsibilities

• Support 2026 state-wide Virginia application and livestock/cover crop subpilots.
• Provide training and technical support for Alliance partners in using COMET tools.
• Serve as primary contact for USDA-NRCS Conservation Practices inquiries from partners.
• Assist in data collection, reporting, and program evaluation.

Skills

Agronomy knowledge

NRCS conservation practices

Data collection & reporting

Training & technical support

Microsoft Office proficiency

Independent work & time management

Communication & interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

COMET-Planner

COMET-Farm

Fieldprint Calculator

Job description

Job Description

The Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture is a coalition of organizations, led by Virginia Tech, which will implement an $80 million, three-year project funded by the United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). This project will be implemented across four states – Arkansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Virginia – and will feature payments to farmers to adopt climate-smart agriculture practices to increase resilience and climate adaptation.

The Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture is a coalition of organizations, led by Virginia Tech, which will implement an $80 million, three-year project funded by the United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). This project will be implemented across four states – Arkansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Virginia – and will feature payments to farmers to adopt climate-smart agriculture practices to increase resilience and climate adaptation. Farmer payments and enrollments will be managed by implementing partner organizations in each of the four states and several non-implementing partners will support the program in various ways. Virginia Tech faculty will conduct a rigorous research agenda to evaluate efficacy of implementation strategies. Under the three-year pilot program, Virginia Tech and its partners will help producers in the four states prove the value of paying farmers and ranchers $100 per acre or animal unit for stewardship practices that deliver public value through carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas emission reduction, improved soil health, water quality improvements, water conservation, and other environmental services. We aim to create a national model for incentivizing and rewarding farmers for adopting climate-smart practices. More information on the program can be found at this link: https://www.allianceforcsa.org The Technical Specialist will support the 2026 state-wide application of the Alliance in Virginia and the livestock and cover crop subpilots in Virginia. The Technical Specialist will provide training and technical support for all Alliance partners to support the use of COMET-Planner, COMET-Farm, and Field to Market Fieldprint Calculator tools and serve as the point of contact for all USDA-NRCS Conservation Practices inquiries from partners. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, grant-funded restricted university staff position with an anticipated appointment end date of September 9, 2027, contingent on available funding and project needs. The position reports to the Project Director and has a regular schedule of 40 hours per week. The position is remote within Virginia. Travel to Blacksburg, producer locations throughout Virginia, and occasional out-of-state project meetings is required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Soil Science, Crop Science, Environmental Science, or a closely related field, with relevant experience in agricultural production, conservation practices, or technical assistance.
• Knowledge of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation practices and their application in agricultural systems.
• Knowledge of crop and/or livestock production systems and agricultural conservation practices, including their effects on soil health, greenhouse gas emissions, or other environmental outcomes.
• Experience providing technical assistance, training, or educational support.
• Experience collecting, organizing, reviewing, and reporting data.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn new software and data management systems.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate records.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Agronomy, Soil Science, Crop Science, Forage Science, Animal Science, Environmental Science, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of climate-smart agricultural practices, agricultural commodities, GHG mitigation strategies, environmental benefits of agriculture, and emerging private-sector agricultural markets.
• Experience using agricultural sustainability and GHG quantification tools, including COMET-Farm, COMET-Planner, and the Field to Market Fieldprint Calculator Platform.
• Experience applying USDA’s Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in Agriculture and Forestry: Methods for Entity-Scale Inventory methodology.
• Knowledge of USDA-NRCS conservation practices and their role in climate-smart agriculture.
• Experience working with online application systems, databases, or data management platforms.
• Experience developing and delivering technical training and outreach programs for agricultural audiences in virtual and in-person settings.
• Experience supporting conservation, climate-smart agriculture, or agricultural sustainability initiatives involving producer engagement, technical assistance, or program implementation.
• Experience in customer service, one-on-one interactions with producers through farm visits or consultations.

Pay Band

4

Overtime Status

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

$55,000 - $65,000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

November 20, 2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands‑on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land‑grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually. Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development. Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law. If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Jamie Cowell-Lucero at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.