Sustainable Conservation seeks Agronomist
Modesto Office
POSITION SUMMARY:
We seek an Agronomist to contribute agronomic and farming expertise to support implementation of the Water Team’s program initiatives. This includes collecting farm level data and communicating learnings; partnering with farmers to integrate conservation practices into existing farming operations; and helping to build consensus with scientists, regulators, producer associations, and others through the sharing of technical and economic knowledge needed to achieve wide scale adoption of conservation practices. The Agronomist should have on the ground knowledge of California farming systems; experience working with growers on agronomics, irrigation, and nutrient management; a keen understanding of the needs of farming as a business enterprise; and an interest in engaging with local communities.
Location:
The position will be located in Modesto, California, with periodic travel, primarily in the San Joaquin Valley, and occasional travel to our San Francisco office.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Partner with team members to identify field data collection needs and protocols, based on desired outcomes
- Engage with grower partners, technical experts and communities to conduct interviews, collect information, and build relationships
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Consolidate, synthesize, and input data collected from interviews into team’s information management system
- Provide oversight and feedback to contractors and technical specialists needed to accomplish agronomic tasks
- Communicate lessons learned from field data collection to team members
- Facilitate discussions with team members and others about agronomic and farming challenges and opportunities that could affect program strategies and activities
- Partner with program staff to plan and execute workshops and outreach events
- Partner with program staff to advise water agencies on recharge programs
Additional responsibilites:
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Partner with program, communications, and development staff to promote the results and impacts of the organization's work with agriculture
- Participate in budget management and strategic planning
- Help develop outreach communications to encourage adoption of targeted practices
- Work with program staff to engage the scientific community to review empirical agronomic research in the context of on-the-ground results and to develop consensus about implementation of best practices
- Maintain industry and scientific community relationships to engage and promote broader adoption of practices the organization is promoting
Education, experience and certifications:
- Degree in Agronomy, Soil Sciences, Natural Resources or related field with at least 3 years field experience; or an equivalent combination of education and field experience.
- Experience building relationship with farmers and other stakeholders.
- Experience with cropping systems and production practices in California's Central Valley; dairy industry experience a plus
- Knowledge of monitoring equipment and on-farm irrigation systems, including surface water distribution systems
- Certified Crop Advisor or Professional Agronomist certification with record of achievement providing technical solutions to farmers a plus
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
Required skills and traits:
- Ability to work in cross-functional team settings
- Excellent interpersonal skills needed for engaging with internal and external facing stakeholders
- Ability to communicate complex agronomic concepts to non-technical audiences
- Commitment to principles of diversity, equity and inclusion; desire to work with communities
- Strategic thinker with a good understanding of how individual field projects affect regional environmental and community objectives
- Valid driver's license and willingness to travel
Also desirable:
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Knowledge and experience implementing innovative farming practices
- Ability to read, understand, and discuss complex scientific research
- Multi-lingual/multi-cultural skills and/or training
- Proficient in MS Office applications; experience with SharePoint/Office365 and Zoom
What we offer:
Sustainable Conservation is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages qualified individuals from all backgrounds to apply to our job openings.
Applications received by August 10thwill be considered.
No phone calls please.