We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. Whether it’s career development, work/life balance, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all of our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued.

The Agriculture Conservation Practitioner works with the Ohio/Western Lake Erie Basin Agriculture team to develop, manage, influence, and advance conservation programs, on-the-ground projects, diverse partnerships, and science-based agriculture conservation methods; She/He/They supports The Nature Conservancy in Ohio’s Agriculture Strategy to help producers achieve whole farm success by implementing practices that keep farmers farming, reduces climate change risks, and protect our soil and water resources now and into the future. The strategy centers on: Climate Adaptation and Mitigation, Soil Health and Nutrient Management, and Water Management for all producers. The Agriculture Conservation Practitioner will report to the Ohio Agriculture Director and operates throughout Ohio River and Western Lake Erie Basin watersheds. Strong preference for this position is to report to our main office in Dublin, Ohio but we will consider other locations.

The Agriculture Conservation Practitioner implements, tracks, and reports on activities to promote and increase public awareness and communicate TNC’s agriculture conservation message and goals. She/He/They provides project/data management, administrative tasks, and communication of outcomes to support current soil health and nutrient management programs focused on peer-to peer farmer led initiatives and elevated phosphorus fields with nutrient service providers in the Western Lake Erie Basin watershed. She/He/They identifies partners and opportunities to scale successful programs and bring new programs to other watersheds in Ohio. She/He/They contributes actively to the strategic direction of the Ohio Agriculture team. Work will include direct engagement with agriculture producers and nutrient service providers as primary audiences. Frequent travel to field sites and for event planning is required.

• Work on multiple, trans-disciplinary projects to advance soil health and nutrient management, water management, and climate adaptation strategies in Ohio and the Western Lake Erie Basin.
• Plan and execute farmer education outreach, individual farmer meetings; manage and develop databases for project tracking, reporting and communication of results.
• Assist in development of a program for nutrient service providers to align nutrient management planning and edge of field conservation for whole farm success.
• Demonstrated ability to establish new and steward existing relationships within the agriculture community.
• Collaboratively engage and cooperate with TNC staff, as well as diverse external partners such as public agencies, universities, agribusinesses, commodity groups, individual farmers and non-governmental organizations.
• Must be willing to travel statewide, work in variable weather conditions, and at remote locations.

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of experience in agronomy, soil health, agriculture systems, on-farm management, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Work experience on farm or in an agribusiness industry. Experience communicating with agricultural audiences is required.
• Experience working independently to manage and prioritize tasks from multiple projects and project contacts.
• Experience in soil health, nutrient management, livestock management, agriculture best management practices.
• Experience with interpersonal communication skills such as active listening, curiosity for the motivation of all parties, optimism in relationships and projects, and the ability to adapt to different styles within a learning organization.
• Experience in situations and experiences related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Experience with computers and especially with Microsoft Office suite, Google Forms, Zoom, Microsoft Teams.
• Must have valid driver's license due to regular work in remote locations statewide.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated experience with project management and operation budgets.
• Demonstrated ability to dynamically communicate within and outside the organization through visual, written, and spoken modes.
• Ability to gather and analyze program-level assessments and regularly track and report programmatic outcomes.
• Ability to apply science and local knowledge to decision-making and to guide activities.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in agriculture conservation and climate adaption.

The budgeted salary range for this job starts at $56,500.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process.