Conservation Agronomist

OBJECTIVE: The Conservation Agronomist will work with ag retail, landowners, and farmers across Iowa to execute conservation and agronomy technical assistance delivery increasing active farmer participation and successful engagement in programs and projects that improve production, profitability, and natural resource outcomes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Serve as a conservation and agronomy technical specialist providing technical assistance to farmers customers/members, landowners, and ag retail for designated projects across Iowa to include:

Identification of appropriate in-field and edge-of-field agronomy and conservation practices for soil and water resource management practices and systems to address resource concerns, farmer/landowner goals, and watershed project goals

Execution of on-farm research, including collection of data and management information

Monitoring agronomic and conservation practice performance for continual improvement

Connecting farmers and landowners with financial assistance and securing necessary technical design standards for practice application

Build relationships and assist with watershed project development and coordination, serving as a technical agronomy and conservation liaison between watershed coordinators and ag retail across the state

Build relationships and coordinate projects with project sponsors and a variety of audiences in the ag retail territory including farmers, landowners, local ag retail staff, Certified Crop Advisors, USDA Service Center personnel, local partners, and other commodity organizations

Participate in partner meetings, trainings, events, and field days

Prepare work plans, budgets, quarterly and annual reports, and support grant

Coordinate with other ISA departments and staff including communications and outreach, producer services and finance and accounting

Exemplifies ISA and RCFI values, embracing and building that culture throughout the organization

COMPETENCIES

Practical understanding and application of agronomy and environmental science

Prioritizing and organizing work

Establishing relationships

Customer service

Evaluating and implementing ideas

Navigating organizations

Acting as a champion for change

Communicating effectively

TRAVEL

This position requires remote work, upwards of up to 50% in the field, typically in Iowa. Occasionally travel will be outside of Iowa requiring overnight lodging.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position has no supervisory responsibility.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree or higher in agronomy, environmental sciences, agricultural engineering, biological sciences, ecology, sociology, or related

Minimum of three to five years of experience working in agronomy or

Strong understanding of:

agricultural industry and the ag retail system

cropping systems

conservation delivery systems

promotion of conservation practices

Capable of working in a team environment while working independently to achieve specific project deliverables.

Ability to work remotely and from affiliated office locations.

Understanding of computer technologies including data storage, statistical software, GIS, and monitoring equipment

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree in or related

Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) certification

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; drive long distances; walk in fields and uneven terrain; collect water samples from streams, tile outlets, and other water sources; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment will vary.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and software platforms such as Office 365. Occasional field work is required and sampling equipment such as water sampling equipment, handheld garden shears, soil probes, and GPS equipment are also used.

Benefits

Medical, Dental and Vision insurance

Onsite Wellness Center

Flexible Spending Account available

Cellphone and Wellness reimbursement

401(k) with generous company match

Tuition reimbursement program

Dress for your Day Dress Code