Company description

The mission of the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) is to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems. OFRF envisions a future where organic farming is the leading form of agriculture. Our goal is to broaden access to and involvement in our programs, working toward greater equity in our food and agriculture systems overall. Since our founding in 1990, OFRF has sponsored organic farming research, education, and outreach to support organic and transitioning farmers across North America. This work is complemented by efforts to share our findings with policymakers, agricultural institutions, and federal agencies to support broader change and advance the organic sector.

Job description

The OFRF Organic Agriculture Conservation Scientist is a full-time, benefited, exempt position. While the organization is based in Santa Cruz, CA, this position has the ability to work remotely within the continental USA.

The Organic Agriculture Conservation Scientist will build institutional knowledge of the conservation benefits of organic production at USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) while also helping highlight the significant funding opportunities available to organic producers through NRCS programs. Through an agreement with NRCS, the Organic Agriculture Conservation Scientist will be an individual with scientific expertise in organic farming systems, including soil health, who will serve as a liaison between OFRF and NRCS. This position also provides support on other programmatic activities, including: keeping coalition partners up to date on our NRCS work, helping our communications team develop relevant materials, and involvement in our federal advocacy work. This position reports to the Policy & Programs Manager.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as an expert on the science and practice of organic agriculture and conservation to diverse audiences, including but not limited to NRCS employees, agricultural service providers, farmers, and organizational partners.
• Apply technical expertise in organic conservation to create and utilize educational resources, including training materials, webinars, guidebooks, and annual research updates.
• Review new and existing NRCS resources to ensure they reflect the latest organic agriculture research findings.
• Plan and facilitate online and in-person meetings and workshop sessions with technical assistance (TA) providers, farmers and researchers.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with key NRCS staff and contractors to facilitate greater organic producer participation in NRCS conservation programs.
• Create communication and outreach materials to promote conservation projects and highlight the impact of NRCS programs for organic producers.
• Engage with farmers, Organic Coordinators, and certifiers nationwide to increase knowledge of and access to NRCS organic programs and resources
• Participate in developing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on projects.
• Represent OFRF at conferences and events, and support stakeholder outreach.
• Other related duties as assigned by your supervisor

SKILLS AND QUALITIES

• Master’s degree required, PhD preferred, in soil science, conservation, sustainable agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, ecology, environmental studies, or related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience working in conservation, agriculture research or education, or other related field. A PhD program in a related field will count towards this requirement.
• Ability to identify, review, and summarize scientific literature..
• Ability to effectively communicate science to a lay audience.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to adhere to strict project deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, including verbal and written communication, as well as visual and oral presentations.
• Ability to work professionally with a diverse group of individuals to accomplish goals, including staff, farmers, partners, and donors.
• Commitment to the mission and vision of OFRF, including alignment with OFRF’s racial equity, inclusion, and diversity initiatives.
• Proficiency with common software applications, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience working independently and collaboratively in a remote setting using programs such as Microsoft Teams, Google Drive, Google Suite, and Asana.

COMPENSATION and BENEFITS

The starting salary range is $72-77k, depending on experience. OFRF offers a competitive benefits package and a great work environment with lots of flexibility. We look for co-workers who can have fun and are committed to working for a cause we love.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, varies DOE, $72,000.00 - $77,000.00

Location

job can be done remotely

Application instructions

Deadline

June 30, 2024