Company description

AFT is the only national agricultural organization that approaches its work in this comprehensive, holistic manner. We recognize the connection between the land, forward-looking farming practices, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. We also recognize the power of combining on-the-ground projects with objective research and effective advocacy.

Job description

Who We Are

American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 6.5 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally-sound farming practices on millions of additional acres, and helped thousands of farm families make a go of it (primarily through programs that increase farm viability and/or enhance farmland access).
 

The Implementation Specialist position offers an exciting opportunity to help farmers, ranchers, and other landowners implement conservation practices. In this role you will act in support of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), meeting with farmers, ranchers, and other landowners who have already secured financial assistance contracts but have not yet implemented the practices. 
 

The position will be based in North Texas either in Wise, Montague, and Clay counties OR Hill, Ellis, and Navarro counties. The applicant is expected to live in or commute to these locations. You will work in a unique role, as an AFT employee, but in deep cooperation and frequent coordination with the funder, NRCS. A NRCS Assistant Conservationist for Field Operations and AFT’s Texas Director will work together to guide your workflow to assure it is integrated with NRCS’s needs and utilizes the full depth of both NRCS and AFT resources and expertise. You will work from an NRCS service center at least three days a week with the ability to work remotely on occasion.
 

What You’ll Be Working On

• Assist the Resource Team Leaders and District Conservationists in identifying priority clients for targeted outreach and intervention.

• Provide technical assistance and practice implementation guidance based upon NRCS guidelines and technical experience to ensure final conservation practices meet the goals and responsibilities of NRCS.

• Prepare and offer guidance to landowners/producers for the implementation of conservation practices. Practice implementation includes but is not limited to field investigations, topographic site surveying, practice analysis and design, layout, construction inspection, and development of as built plans.

• Provide technical and administrative support, recommendations, and implementation assistance on Farm Bill programs. This may include but is not limited to conservation planning and application assistance, status reviews, case file management, and general administrative activities.

• Identify areas where practices implementation within the existing contract requirements is not possible and communicate the situation and need for contract modifications to NRCS.

• 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.

• Assist field office staff with contacting program applicants for data collection and work with farmers to compile necessary data for contract completion.

• Develop and curate a deep rolodex of service providers and contractors across the service area.

• Travel extensively across your identified counties visiting diverse farms and farmers to execute the job functions.

Requirements

 

• Experience with NRCS funded conservation practices is especially valuable, but not required.

• A deep working knowledge of Texas agriculture or conservation and an understanding of the culture of farmers and farming.

• Proven track record of implementing or assisting with implementation of conservation practices.

• Proven track record in developing relationships with others and supporting them in achieving their goals, ideally in a farming or land management context.

• 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.

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide array of people – junior and senior, government, for-profit, and nonprofit, and from diverse backgrounds.

• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills are essential.

• Passionate about American Farmland Trust’s mission and impact.

• Willingness and ability to complete and pass a USDA background check.

Education & Experience

• At least 6 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.

Compensation

American Farmland Trust offers excellent vacation, medical, retirement and other benefits. The salary range for this position is from $56,000 to $64,000 based upon experience.

American Farmland Trust offers a complete benefits package:

• 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)

• 401(k) with 10% match after six months of employment

• Sick Leave: Regular full-time employees accrue 3.5 hours per pay period (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

• Holidays: The Company observes eleven holidays during the year (all offices closed): plus, choice of 3 other floating holidays depending on hiring date

Why you should apply:

• Be a part of a purpose-driven, committed, knowledgeable, high-performing, experienced and fun team

• A diverse and inclusive work environment

• A cause and mission you can be proud of

• Competitive compensation & benefits

• Remote work opportunities

• Flexible scheduling

 

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $50,000 - $75,000

Location

job can be done remotely

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline