American Farmland Trust: Climate Solutions Implementation Specialist (Maine)

As a Climate Solutions Implementation Specialist, you will help farmers access and utilize the unprecedented new US government funding to implement conservation practices that have climate resilience and emissions mitigation benefits. You will bring your farming experience and understandings of climate solutions to support farmers in navigating USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs that provide financial incentives like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). In addition to doing outreach to support farmers in accessing programs, you also support farmers and other landowners who have already secured financial assistance in overcoming any barriers to implementing these practices. You will assist farmers with a wide range of agronomic and engineering practices by helping to find more funding, consulting other technical experts, finding supplies or specialized equipment, and coordinating with stakeholders. Climate Solutions Implementation Specialists also contribute to outreach and educational event planning to promote awareness and interest among the farming community in practices that have climate benefits. This is an exciting and historic opportunity to work on climate solutions in the farming community and help farmers and other agricultural producers implement conservation practices that have climate resilience and emissions mitigation benefits.

The ideal candidate will have existing connections within the farm community and will have experience working with a wide variety of farm types and with diverse populations. You will use your real-world experience on farms to provide actionable assistance to farmers seeking to implement conservation practices on their land. You will work in a unique role, as an AFT employee on a team of Implementation Specialists working across New England, and in deep cooperation and frequent coordination with the funder, NRCS ME. The Climate Solutions Implementation Specialist will provide implementation assistance for Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry (CSAF) practices on Maine farms, communicate with and attend meetings with NRCS and AFT staff in Maine, and coordinate one on-farm event each year that demonstrates high-priority practices and provides advanced training opportunities related to carbon sequestration practices, tillage reduction, cover cropping, edge-of-field and habitat planting, or soil carbon amendments.

• Assist the NRCS Maine Assistant Conservationist for Field Operations in identifying priority farmer clients for targeted technical assistance and support.
• Coordinate climate-related practice workshops for farmers and technical service providers in collaboration with NRCS and AFT staff.
• Establish direct contact with farmers holding NRCS financial assistance contracts, using various methods (e-mail, phone, on-site visits).
• Aid in the interpretation and layout of practices, advise on practice implementation, and follow-up on completed practices.
• Work with farmers to identify barriers to project completion. Furnish necessary technical assistance directly, where possible. Connect the farmer with external sources of assistance.
• Identify areas where practices implementation within the existing contract requirements is not possible and communicate the need for re-evaluation to NRCS.
• Maintain extensive documentation of work with farmers, establish and maintain program files and documents for program delivery, and support the maintenance of program contract files.
• Assist field office staff in contacting program applicants and work with farmers to compile necessary data for contract completion.
• Maintain workload registers with information from contracts for needed follow-up and perform follow-up tasks.
• Maintain mailing and contact lists for program delivery.
• Attend NRCS field operations team leadership meetings as needed.
• Develop and curate a deep contact list of service providers and contractors across the state.
• Contribute to outreach materials for farmers regarding climate change, conservation practice implementation, and NRCS programs.
• Coordinate outreach and services with other AFT Implementation Specialists, relevant NRCS field staff and partner planners as needed for efficiency and expertise.
• Participate in trainings as appropriate.
• Commute to an NRCS ME office regularly (preferrable Bangor), and travel throughout Maine visiting diverse farms and farmers to execute the job function.
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• A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in farming, land stewardship, or land management. A college degree in a related field can substitute for up to 4 years of work experience.
• A proven track record of implementing or assisting with implementation of conservation practices.
• Applicants will be considered statewide, however there is a preference for those that can work from Bangor.
• Ability to travel across the state of Maine visiting diverse farms and farmers to execute the job functions.
• Experience and working knowledge of NRCS funded conservation practices and NRCS program is especially valuable, but not required.
• A deep working knowledge of New England agriculture or conservation and an understanding of the culture of farmers and farming.
• Proven track record in developing and maintaining relationships with others and supporting them in achieving their goals, ideally in a farming or land management context.
• Success in roles requiring simultaneous management of multiple priorities under tight timelines.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as are an ability to work with efficiency, flexibility, and good humor.
• A valid US driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.
• Passionate about American Farmland Trust’s mission and impact.
• While AFT prefers for this to be a full-time position (37.5 hour/week), alternative arrangements will be considered for the ideal candidate.
• Completion of a federal background check during the initial months of employment is required for this role. Continued employment is contingent on successful completion of this background check. 

While applications will be accepted and reviewed until the position is filled, applicants who apply by March 1^st will be reviewed first.