North Jersey RC&D is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to meeting community needs through conservation. North Jersey RC&D works closely with farmers and partners on climate-smart, soil-health, and water quality conservation practice implementation. We manage multiple nationally-competitive grant awards, in addition to, state grants and foundation funding. North Jersey RC&D is known regionally for having good relationships and providing on-the-ground technical and financial assistance to a wide-range of farmers.

We are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage all qualified professionals to apply. North Jersey RC&D is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment based on actual or perceived race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, and other protected characteristics. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants.

Location: River Resource Center, 10 Maple Avenue, Asbury, NJ 08802
Reports to: Executive Director
Status: Full-time, regular, exempt (37.5-hour week)
Hybrid scheduling: Combination of in‐person, field, and remote days

Application Deadline: This position will remain open until filled

Position Description: The Agricultural Specialist will work collaboratively with the North Jersey RC&D Team in implementing soil health, water quality, and climate conservation initiatives with farmers and landowners in New Jersey (Hunterdon, Warren, Sussex, Morris, Somerset, Union and Mercer counties). The position focus is on advancing practice implementation and research with livestock farmers and delivering technical expertise across the agricultural community. The focus of technical assistance will include working with the North Jersey RC&D Ag-Assist Cost-Share Program and USDA-NRCS Climate Smart Commodity Grant focused on regenerative, grass-fed beef producers.
 

Major Responsibilities:

• Provide direct, one-on-one technical assistance and educational outreach to farmers and private- and public-sector advisors on soil health, grazing plans, and supportive pasture-based best management practices with the goal of directly improving New Jersey farming systems, climate and water quality impact, as well as other associated ecosystems services.

• Coordinate, develop, and manage implementation of agricultural conservation projects;

• Ensure and participate in high-quality project designs and field based research collection;

• Manage project-specific communications, including farmer and landowner communication, preparation of project reports, and metrics reporting;

• Serve as a liaison to farmers, landowners, and other conservation organizations on agricultural issues related to land and water stewardship, soil health, climate resilience, and the protection of natural resources;

• Assist in developing new grant funding proposals; and

• Support and participate in RC&D education and outreach activities and events.

Qualifications, Knowledge, and Skills:

Required:

• Knowledge and passion for sustainable, regenerative agriculture and climate-smart practices;

• Knowledge of conservation agriculture principles and practices, including soil health management, prescribed grazing, pasture planting/renovation and nutrient management;

• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively, solve problems, and work effectively in a team or independently;

• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including strong technical writing and ability to communicate clearly with farmers and stakeholders;

• Attention to detail, well organized and self-motivated individual;

• Degree in Animal Science, Agronomy, Soil Science or related degree with significant relevant field experience and training;

• Ability and willingness to travel regularly throughout the service area, have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation, and the ability to work outside in varied weather conditions and move across diverse and uneven terrain.

Preferred:

• Experience working with, advising, or educating farmers in the field, preferably in the Northeast region;

• Familiarity with agricultural conservation programs and agencies, in particular USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) programs; 

• Demonstrated experience in planning field-based restoration or conservation projects and familiarity with conservation concepts and techniques; Experience developing or administering grants for conservation projects; Currently credentialed or able to obtain any of the following credentials: Conservation Planner, Certified Nutrient Management Planner, Certified Crop Advisor, Agronomist;

• Technical expertise including farming equipment knowledge, Arc-GIS, or other modeling, satellite software, or drone expertise.

Compensation and Benefits:       

• Salary: $60,000-$85,000 annually;

• Excellent benefits, including paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, contribution towards family medical and 403(b)retirement plan, cell-phone stipend, field clothing allowance;

• Mileage and related expenses are reimbursable;

• Hybrid scheduling (mix of in-person, field, and remote days)

See the original job posting here.