The Nature Conservancy Seeks a Regenerative Crop Systems Specialist

TNC is working with partners to catalyze systems change in agriculture to support food and fiber production that works in partnership with the world around us. A regenerative food system goes beyond sustainability to enable food production that benefits our planet as well as the farmers, ranchers and others who work to provide our food—without sacrificing the livelihoods of rural people and communities of color. By developing smart strategies in partnership with producers, we work to make farms and ranches more productive while restoring habitats, protecting clean drinking water, increasing biodiversity, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions all while securing the food supply for a rapidly growing population.

The Regenerative Crop Systems Specialist develops, manages, and advances regenerative agriculture projects in service of our programmatic goals. The position will work within a highly-matrixed, multi-disciplinary team, as well as with external partners and staff in a variety of state business units. To be successful in this position, the Specialist must be detail-oriented, highly organized, a good communicator and have experience with and/or knowledge of agriculture, agribusiness, farmer networks/engagement, farmer incentives and technical assistance and/or food system corporate sustainability.

 

The Regenerative Crop Systems Specialist provides technical leadership and support to the Regenerative Crop Systems strategy team by assisting, planning, and executing projects in service of our programmatic goals, including pilots and collaborative efforts with ag retailers, CPGs, commodity groups, farmer-led groups, universities, and NGOs. In collaboration with and under the guidance of the Farmer Advisor Strategy Manager, and other strategy managers, the Specialist will be responsible for advancing project activities to meet outcomes, identifying, and developing key performance indicators, monitoring and measuring progress, communicating information to stakeholders and ensuring all organizational and divisional standards are met. The Specialist may be responsible for managing contracts, tracking budgets and deliverables, producing reports, meeting planning and facilitation, and may serve as the liaison for external partners and TNC staff. The Specialist may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

 

 

Who We Are:

 

 

The North America (NA) Agriculture Program at TNC employs science-based, solutions-focused approaches to drive actionable, systems-change strategies that aim to increase the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices across working lands in the United States. The team works together with public and private sector decision-makers to co-create solutions, drawing on TNC’s practical experience and expertise working with local partners on the ground. If you have a passion for conserving and protecting the natural world, addressing climate change and enhancing the sustainability of our food system, and believe in TNC’s mission and values, please apply for this position and learn more about the Conservancy.

 

 

• BA/BS degree in conservation, agronomy, sustainability, environmental economics/sociology or a related field and 5 years’ experience in natural resource management, project management or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience negotiating complex agreements.

• Supervisory experience.

• Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.

• Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.

• Real estate license (if required).

• Experience with principles of land acquisition.

• Experience in training and curriculum design.

 

 

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.

• Experience working with / in ag retail or agribusiness.

• Grant / proposal writing experience.

• Experience in partnership development with non-profits, universities, agricultural organizations, community groups, agribusinesses, food companies, food distributors, and/or government agencies.

• Knowledge of current trends and practices in regenerative agriculture

including cover cropping, conservation tillage, precision ag, etc.

• Knowledge of GHG protocols and scope 3 emissions accounting, methods and standards.

• Demonstrated social and emotional intelligence by successfully engaging and motivating others to support a new path forward, building energy and involvement to sustain results over time.

• Ability to explain conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences.

• Completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).

• Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.

 

 

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, we impact conservation throughout the world!

 

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including: health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits at in the Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

 

We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, well-being, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!

 

This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.