Hybrid Southeast Implementation Specialist

at American Farmland Trust

• Job title: Southeast Implementation Specialist
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Senior, Lead
• Salary: $65,000 - $70,000 per year
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Jackson, United States

About the role

• Southeast Implementation Specialist providing technical assistance in conservation practices to farmers and landowners. Collaborating with NRCS and AFT to facilitate conservation program implementation.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and administrative support, recommendations, and implementation assistance on Farm Bill and other conservation programs and projects to farmers, landowners, and partners.
• Conduct conservation planning, application and eligibility support, status reviews, case file management, and general administrative activities.
• Practice adoption and implementation: field investigations, topographic site surveying, practice analysis and design, layout, construction inspection, and development of as built plans.
• Develop and compile extensive notes on all interactions with farmers to properly document support and progress towards contract completion and contribute to the maintenance of program contract file folders.
• Work with farmers to compile necessary data for contract completion and assist field and area office staff with contacting program applicants for data collection.
• Assist NRCS in identifying clients who may need additional support to implement practices, for targeted intervention and assistance.
• Establish direct contact with farmers with existing financial assistance contracts with NRCS and work with the farmers to identify impediments to project completion.
• Deliver technical assistance and practice implementation guidance based upon NRCS specifications to ensure final conservation practices meet the appropriate practice standards.
• When unable to provide the necessary assistance, identify and connect the farmer with appropriate resources.
• Identify areas where practice implementation within an existing contract is not feasible and communicate the situation and need for contract modifications to NRCS.
• As needed work with AFT and NRCS staff to create opportunities to engage farmers and increase farmer preparedness for conservation planning, program participation, practice adoption and or land protection.
• Work with AFT’s National Agricultural Land Network (NALN) to provide content and assist with programs that support agricultural land protection professionals.
• Work with AFT staff to identify support needs from eligible entities and assist with capacity building to efficiently develop and complete agricultural conservation easement projects.
• Attend meetings and training with AFT, NRCS and other partners for professional development and to learn, gather data, and record information.
• Maintain records of work accomplishments for reports related to all agricultural programs and assistance.

Requirements

• At least 7 years of professional experience, working on farms or in land stewardship or land management positions.
• A college degree in a directly related field may be substituted for up to 4 years of work experience.
• Excellent customer service, communication (meeting facilitation, phone, writing, partner relations), and interpersonal, record keeping, and task management skills.
• A deep working knowledge of agriculture, conservation, and an understanding of the culture of farmers and farming.
• A proven track record of implementing or assisting with the implementation of conservation practices.
• Experience with NRCS funded conservation practices is especially valuable but not required.
• The ability to develop relationships with diverse groups and support them in achieving their goals, ideally in a farming or land management context.
• Ability to see the big picture while being incredibly detail oriented.
• Success in roles requiring simultaneous management of multiple priorities and processes under tight timelines is important.
• Proven ability to work with efficiency, flexibility, and good humor.
• A valid US driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.
• Passion and belief in American Farmland Trust’s mission and impact.

Benefits

• 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.