To support our growing Sustainability work, we are looking for an experienced Sustainability Field Specialist to join our Sustainability team. The Sustainability Field Specialists are responsible for working directly with DFA members and regional staff to advance on-farm sustainability initiatives and manage regional program implementation with a focus on greenhouse gas reduction, soil health, water quality, renewable energy, workforce development, and environmental reporting. In addition, the candidate will help identify customer cost-share and grant funding opportunities to help incentivize farm participation.
Job Duties and Responsibilities :
- Manage on-farm sustainability project implementation across assigned geographies
- Share information with farms on greenhouse gas mitigation activities and other environmental improvement opportunities that will maximize overall farm profitability, agronomic productivity, and / or carbon credit generation
- Communicate grant and cost-share funding opportunities to farmer-owners made available from customer collaborations and / or governmental programs
- Conduct environmental data evaluations and advise / consult with farms on interpreting results for their local context
- Identify farms for sustainability projects and assist with data collection including farm demographic data, soil samples, etc.
- Coordinate with internal DFA tea ms including DFA Farm Services departments like Farm Supplies, Agronomy , and Energy, and Area Membership / Field Staff teams . This role will also work closely with Technical Service Providers and may help represent DFA farmer-owner interests to external regional partners.
- The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee , but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required .Other duties may be assigned as required
Requirements
Desired Requirements :
Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in environmental Sustainability, Environmental Resource Management, Agronomy / Soil Science, Animal Science, Agricultural Business , or a nother field appropriate to the area of assignment AND two ( 2 ) years of related experience; OR, Any equivalent combination of education and / or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achievedFood and beverage supply chain experience is preferred; dairy experience is a plusExperience in project management, communications, compiling reports, metrics tracking and analysisStrong knowledge of current sustainability industry initiatives, terminology, trends, and toolsKnowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must be willing to travel 25 %- 5 0% of the time ( 2 + weeks per month)Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to clearly communicate detailed information in non-technical languageDemonstrated experience related to agriculture, soil science, animal agriculture, environmental sustainability, or related discipline(s)Strong problem-solving skill set and a continuous improvement mindsetStrong and demonstrated project management skills pertaining to sustainability data measurement, reporting, and communicationsGood understanding of regenerative agriculture practices, renewable energy generation, workforce development principles, and farm-level economicsKnowledge of consumer and marketplace trends driving interest in sustainable agricultureExceptional writing and analytical skillsAbility to work independentlyMust be able to read, write and speak EnglishAn Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled / Veterans
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