Sand County Foundation Seeks Agricultural Conservation Specialist
Position Title: 
Agricultural Conservation Specialist
Job Purpose:
Sand County Foundation (SCF) is a national nonprofit working at the intersection of agricultural and environmental improvement. We demonstrate conservation strategies that make economic sense for landowners, and advance conservation policy improvements.
The person hired (Madison, WI based or remote w/in three hour drive) for this exciting and challenging Agricultural Conservation Specialist position will provide technical support, both in the field and at the desk, for SCF’s Agricultural Conservation team’s projects. We manage a diverse project portfolio with efforts supported by both private and public grants, which supports an energizing and dynamic work experience. As new projects have recently kicked off, this presents an opportunity to fill the need for more technical support on several of our initiatives which focus on building soil health, advancing regenerative agriculture (specifically grazing management), improving water quality, and protecting wildlife habitat. An emphasis of this position includes coordination and implementation of innovative research and demonstration projects by working with watershed or conservation coordinators, farmers or ranchers, local agencies, or nongovernmental partners.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Collect, analyze, interpret and summarize field and survey data to assess outcome metrics for ongoing SCF soil
health and regenerative agriculture projects.
2. Provide technical assistance to farmers/ranchers, agricultural advisors, and governmental agencies (local, state, and
federal) on agricultural conservation planning and implementation activities.
3. Coordinate project outreach and education activities including presentations, field days, and publication material to
scale up project impact.
4. Collaborate with SCF communication staff on project video production, social media posts, and webinars to
communicate project results across a diverse audience.
5. Identify conservation strategies that improve management of soil, water, livestock, and wildlife on private lands,
earn trust of urban and rural stakeholders, and provide input on the establishment of innovative and influential SCF
research and demonstration projects.
6. Facilitate teams of landowners, science advisors, funders, and other stakeholders necessary to the success of SCF
agricultural conservation projects.
7. Maintain respectful and effective communication with all cooperating partners, including project reporting to meet
funder’s deadlines.
8. Uphold commitment to SCF principles, mission, and objectives.
9. Complete other duties and tasks as assigned.
1. Collect, analyze, interpret and summarize field and survey data to assess outcome metrics for ongoing SCF soil
health and regenerative agriculture projects.
2. Provide technical assistance to farmers/ranchers, agricultural advisors, and governmental agencies (local, state, and
federal) on agricultural conservation planning and implementation activities.
3. Coordinate project outreach and education activities including presentations, field days, and publication material to
scale up project impact.
4. Collaborate with SCF communication staff on project video production, social media posts, and webinars to
communicate project results across a diverse audience.
5. Identify conservation strategies that improve management of soil, water, livestock, and wildlife on private lands,
earn trust of urban and rural stakeholders, and provide input on the establishment of innovative and influential SCF
research and demonstration projects.
6. Facilitate teams of landowners, science advisors, funders, and other stakeholders necessary to the success of SCF
agricultural conservation projects.
7. Maintain respectful and effective communication with all cooperating partners, including project reporting to meet
funder’s deadlines.
8. Uphold commitment to SCF principles, mission, and objectives.
9. Complete other duties and tasks as assigned.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
1. Master’s degree (or Bachelor’s degree with at least two years of applied work experience) in an agricultural,
environmental, soil and water resources, or land management related field.
2. Hands-on, working knowledge of and experience in agriculture and conservation, specifically grazing systems, native
perennial vegetation, and/or nutrient management planning.
3. Demonstrated oral and written communication and presentation skills; able to communicate project goals and
outcomes effectively with a variety of stakeholders and audiences.
4. Applied knowledge of soil and water field sampling and data collection techniques, beyond classroom experience.
5. Proven experience organizing spreadsheet data and working with analytical agricultural soil and water models,
including geospatial mapping (e.g., ArcGIS) software.
6. Leadership skills including attention to detail, high levels of patience and perseverance, and the ability to use
diplomacy to diffuse difficult situations amongst project partners and stakeholders.
7. Ability to plan and achieve goals, think analytically and solve problems, along with a strong drive for achieving
measurable land and water outcomes.
8. Experience working in a team environment, collaborating on multiple projects while meeting goals and producing
high-quality, timely deliverables.
9. Enthusiasm and passion for the mission, goals, and core values of SCF.
10. Willingness to travel to project sites, with minimal (<5%) overnight travel. Valid driver’s license required.
1. Master’s degree (or Bachelor’s degree with at least two years of applied work experience) in an agricultural,
environmental, soil and water resources, or land management related field.
2. Hands-on, working knowledge of and experience in agriculture and conservation, specifically grazing systems, native
perennial vegetation, and/or nutrient management planning.
3. Demonstrated oral and written communication and presentation skills; able to communicate project goals and
outcomes effectively with a variety of stakeholders and audiences.
4. Applied knowledge of soil and water field sampling and data collection techniques, beyond classroom experience.
5. Proven experience organizing spreadsheet data and working with analytical agricultural soil and water models,
including geospatial mapping (e.g., ArcGIS) software.
6. Leadership skills including attention to detail, high levels of patience and perseverance, and the ability to use
diplomacy to diffuse difficult situations amongst project partners and stakeholders.
7. Ability to plan and achieve goals, think analytically and solve problems, along with a strong drive for achieving
measurable land and water outcomes.
8. Experience working in a team environment, collaborating on multiple projects while meeting goals and producing
high-quality, timely deliverables.
9. Enthusiasm and passion for the mission, goals, and core values of SCF.
10. Willingness to travel to project sites, with minimal (<5%) overnight travel. Valid driver’s license required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
1. Familiarity with local, state, and federal (i.e., Farm Bill) conservation programs.
2. Demonstrated ability to recognize and develop innovations that advance conservation and agronomic outcomes.
3. Competence cultivating and maintaining effective working relationships with farmers or ranchers, landowners,
agency representatives, agricultural advisors, and industry representatives
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
SCF is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to being a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist workplace. We
are committed to creating a workplace where people from all social identities and backgrounds feel welcome and can thrive.
We believe that rich diversity makes us more innovative, competitive, and creative, which helps us better serve our sponsors,
collaborators, and communities.
SCF is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to being a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist workplace. We
are committed to creating a workplace where people from all social identities and backgrounds feel welcome and can thrive.
We believe that rich diversity makes us more innovative, competitive, and creative, which helps us better serve our sponsors,
collaborators, and communities.
COMPENSATION
SCF offers competitive compensation commensurate with experience and independently verified market comparables, and
provides a generous benefits package. The anticipated salary for this position will range between $50,000 and 75,000, based
on the candidate’s qualifications
APPLICATION DEADLINE AND SUBMISSION
Applications will be reviewed beginning March 21, 2022, but the position will remain open until filled. Submit a cover letter,
resume or curriculum vitae, and contact information for three professional references to apply@sandcountyfoundation.org.
With this opportunity is the potential for growth; we encourage candidates to incorporate into their cover letter a statement
explaining how their innovative ideas, personal strengths, and unique skillsets could be integrated into SCF’s efforts to
complement our mission and program goals. The cover letter is also an opportunity to summarize how past education or
work experience fits within the stated essential and preferred qualifications. For specific questions regarding the position,
please email Heidi Peterson, Ph.D., Vice President Agricultural Research & Conservation at
hpeterson@sandcountyfoundation.org
Applications will be reviewed beginning March 21, 2022, but the position will remain open until filled. Submit a cover letter,
resume or curriculum vitae, and contact information for three professional references to apply@sandcountyfoundation.org.
With this opportunity is the potential for growth; we encourage candidates to incorporate into their cover letter a statement
explaining how their innovative ideas, personal strengths, and unique skillsets could be integrated into SCF’s efforts to
complement our mission and program goals. The cover letter is also an opportunity to summarize how past education or
work experience fits within the stated essential and preferred qualifications. For specific questions regarding the position,
please email Heidi Peterson, Ph.D., Vice President Agricultural Research & Conservation at
hpeterson@sandcountyfoundation.org