Agriculture Conservation Associate

About this role

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Agriculture Conservation Associate will support The Nature Conservancy’s efforts to influence local supply chains and farmers to make strides toward long term agricultural conservation adoption in Iowa, Wisconsin & Illinois. The Conservation Associate’s programming areas have been strategically designed as pathways for gaining progress toward The Nature Conservancy’s long-term conservation adoption goals. The Conservancy will rely on this person to demonstrate the effective and sustainable nature of supply chain-driven farmer incentive models, and add technical capacity in agronomy, dairy, data analysis and modeling, agricultural finance mechanisms or policy to our team. 

The Conservancy has worked with agricultural partners in Iowa for over ten years to enhance on-farm conservation outcomes and improve water quality. We do this by co-developing initiatives with partners and landowners around expanding conservation practices, conservation delivery mechanisms and conservation learning opportunities. The Agriculture Conservation Associate, will advance TNC’s agricultural supply chain work and our farmer engagement program. This position will: 

• Serve as programmatic lead for executing supply chain farmer incentive programs through dairy industry within NE Iowa (Dubuque and surrounding counties), SW Wisconsin and NW Illinois. 

• Provide technical assistance related to adoption of new conservation practices to farmers in these geographies as needed. 

• Support and empower farmers to lead change in the region, via facilitation of peer-to-peer farmer learning groups, field days or farm tours.

  RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Performs field work with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context. 

• Works collaboratively with farmers and external agricultural supply chain partners, as well as with internal technical, administrative, and professional staff with responsibility for performance management, training, and development.  

• Ensures dairy program compliance with internal policies and external requirements. 

• Employee may be asked to work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, and with a variety of stakeholders with varying and sometimes demanding schedules.  The employee will generally be responsible for maintaining professional customer service under a suite of demanding circumstances. 

• Expect to travel within the project region to dairy farms and attend regional professional events.  

The Agriculture Conservation Associate will need to be located in NE Iowa (Dubuque and surrounding counties), SW Wisconsin or NW Illinois.

This is a 3-year term limited position.  

We’re Looking for You:

If you have a passion for conserving and protecting the natural world, addressing climate change and enhancing the sustainability of our food system in the Midwest, join The Conservancy as an Agriculture Conservation Associate!  

Excellent relationship building and communication skills, ability to self-motivate, creatively problem solve, and to influence without authority are key in this role. Come join TNC and apply today! 

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience in agricultural or natural resource management- related field or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Experience working with non-industrial private landowners.   

• Relationship building experience to work closely with a variety of partners, (e.g., farmers, agribusiness, academia, governmental, internal scientists.) 

• Experience completing tasks independently with respect to a timeline. 

• Experience with communication via written, spoken and graphical means in English and/or other relevant languages. 

• Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, etc. 

• Experienced in field work and data collection.          

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program . Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page . Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

Salary Information:

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $54,000 - $64,000 . This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.

Who We Are: The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube   to hear stories from staff or visit   Glassdoor .

One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job posting

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