Agricultural Conservation Planner – Montana, South Dakota, or Wyoming

The National Center for Appropriate Technology or NCAT has been helping people build resilient communities through local and sustainable solutions that reduce poverty, strengthen self-reliance, and protect natural resources since 1976. NCAT is a trusted, practical connector for individuals and businesses who are working to leave our world better than we found it. Through individualized technical assistance, hands-on training opportunities, in-depth educational resources, and peer-to-peer learning networks, NCAT works to foster and promote sustainable technologies and systems, especially for the benefit of economically disadvantaged individuals and communities. NCAT’s work includes nationally recognized projects in energy, agriculture, food, and rural development.

NCAT is seeking an Agricultural Conservation Planner for our USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant “Climate Beneficial Fiber Partnership.” The Agricultural Conservation Planner will recruit and assist woolgrowers in Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming to plan and implement conservation practices that improve climate resilience, sequester carbon, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The primary duty of the planner will be to work closely with woolgrowers to complete detailed conservation plans that identify and prioritize on-farm opportunities for carbon capture and storage. The planner will also provide technical assistance for the implementation of practices identified in the plan, verify implementation, assist with project monitoring, and coordinate climate-smart agriculture efforts with local partner organizations and agencies. Planners also serve as connectors between the agriculture community and groups offering resources for improving soil health, drought resiliency, and climate adaptation.

LOCATION:
NCAT’s headquarters office is in Butte, Montana with satellite offices in over a dozen states. While this position can be fully remote within Montana, South Dakota, or Wyoming, this person will also have access to office space in the Headquarters office. They must be willing and able to travel frequently, including overnight travel, to farms, events, workshops, and training as needed. NCAT can help with relocation costs for the right applicant. This position provides an outstanding opportunity to work with a dedicated and professional staff on a national level and to advance understanding of regenerative agriculture, climate solutions, and community resilience.

QUALIFICATIONS:
This position requires a BA/BS degree in agriculture, environmental science, natural resource management, conservation, or related fields and a minimum of five years of farming experience. Applicants with equivalent but different combinations of education and experience will be considered. While not required, preference is for candidates with experience in animal (especially sheep) agriculture in the Northern Great Plains; experience in building soil health through regenerative ranching and farming; and demonstrated competence/certification in whole farm planning, such as NRCS conservation planner certification. New hires are required to successfully complete the Carbon Cycle Institute’s Carbon Farm Planning Training and Curriculum at no cost to the Planner and receive a certification of completion within 6 months of hire. The training requires 2-4 hours/week for a period of 3 weeks.

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Commitment and passion for the NCAT mission;
• Strong knowledge of animal agriculture in the Northern Great Plains and familiarity with ag-related organizations and government agencies;
• Experience in providing technical assistance for conservation agriculture practices;
• Experience working with land managers and agricultural producers in conservation planning, whole farm planning, soil health planning, and/or carbon farming planning and implementation;
• Competence in GIS mapping, data management, and using software such as the Web Soil Survey and the Rangeland Analysis Platform;
• Familiarity with the science related to climate and agriculture. Experience with greenhouse gas (GHG) measurement tools such as COMET-Planner is strongly preferred;
• Competence with Microsoft Office and Google Suite;
• Demonstrated knowledge of Northern Great Plains ecology, plants, wildlife, soils, and climate;
• Excellent attention to detail and demonstrated verbal and written communication skills;
• Exceptional ability to communicate and build relationships with farmers, ranchers, community organizations, government agencies, partners, private contractors, and the general public;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Self-directed and organized with the ability to multitask to meet multiple deadlines;
• Exceptional ability to work productively both independently and in a collaborative team setting;
• Ability to conduct on-farm fieldwork in challenging terrain, weather, and climate conditions while carrying up to 30 pounds;
• Willingness and ability to travel around the region. Travel may involve flexible work hours, including evenings and weekends. Some overnight travel will be required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Promote and support NCAT’s mission;
• In collaboration with woolgrowers, write Resilient Ranch Plans that include producer goals, soil, and ecological site assessments, spatial mapping, resource concerns, a suite of recommended NRCS Conservation Practice Standards and quantified greenhouse gas benefits;
• Solicit expertise from project partners and technical assistance providers such as NRCS conservationists, county-based Conservation Districts, and watershed groups to develop Resilient Ranch Plans;
• Provide regionally appropriate technical assistance to woolgrowers via in-person site visits, phone, and email;
• Monitor conservation practice implementation and measure and report on quantifiable GHG reductions via COMET-Planner;
• Collect data and contribute to quarterly project reports towards benchmarks and goals;
• Create educational materials and coordinate educational activities, such as workshops, field days, and pasture walks;
• Create outreach and promotional materials, such as press releases, blog posts, and podcasts;
• Present at conferences, producer association meetings, stakeholder meetings, and other appropriate forums;
• Administer program details to project participants and maintain their confidential records and information;
• Support cultivation of peer-to-peer producer learning communities;
• Maintain understanding of the full range of compatible agricultural and conservation programs currently available in the region, and effectively connect producers to these opportunities;
• Carry out diversity and inclusion efforts, including outreach to small and historically underserved producers to embed equity within NCAT’s outreach efforts;
• Develop and maintain positive, productive, professional relationships with producers, partner organizations, agencies, research institutions, and Tribes as part of program delivery;
• Cultivate positive, inclusive, and productive relationships internally with teammates, working collaboratively within the NGP team and across NCAT as a whole. Teamwork is an essential function of this job.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:
$60,000 – $65,000 annually depending on work status, qualifications, and experience. Excellent benefits include a flexible schedule, paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, a cafeteria and 401{k) plan, and a pleasant, professional environment.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate can be identified. We encourage you to apply early. Please visit www.ncat.org and attra.ncat.org to learn more about NCAT. NCAT employees interested in the position should email Human Resources a letter of interest as soon as possible. All persons interested in being considered for the position should upload a resume and cover letter through BambooHR. Please submit a current resume and a cover letter highlighting experience and skills relevant to the listed qualifications. Resume and cover letters can be uploaded at https://ncat.bamboohr.com/careers. Simply choose the position you are applying for and then click “apply for this job” to upload the required resume and cover letter. Questions about the application process can be directed to:

Kriss Sullivan, Director of Human Resources
e-mail: jobs@ncat.org

NCAT’s mission is to help people build resilient communities through local and sustainable solutions that reduce poverty, strengthen self-reliance, and protect natural resources. Our work brings together diverse partnerships and communities to help reduce poverty and protect our natural resources. We strive to be a multicultural organization that embraces the rich dimensions of diversity such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical ability, religious or political belief and marital or veteran status. Diversity creates healthy communities. Special consideration will be given to applicants who are reflective of the communities that we serve. NCAT is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For additional information about NCAT please visit our homepage.