Employment Opportunities

Overview

The Research Agronomist will work with the RCFI team, farmers, ag retail, sponsors, collaborators and landowners across Iowa to execute on-farm, agronomic research that is critically important to farmers’ ability to increase profitability, productivity and sustainability. This role will provide technical assistance and communicate results to increase active farmer participation and engagement in programs and projects. Relationship-building, agronomy and project management are key skillsets for success in this role.

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Essential Functions

• Contribute to the conception and development of innovative on-farm research programming that emphasizes agronomics and combines conservation for ISA’s farmer participants and stakeholders
• Execute on-farm research trials and projects including: farmer recruitment, collection of data and management information and dissemination of results
• Coordinate with Conservation Agronomists to connect farmers with opportunities to identify and implement appropriate in-field and edge-of-field conservation products and practices for improved soil and water resource management practices and systems to maximize productivity and address resource concerns, farmer/landowner goals and watershed project goals
• Organize and lead participant group meetings to increase participation, understanding and adoption of new practices
• Promote and encourage increased farmer participation on ISA on-farm research projects and programs
• Develop both written and verbal presentations, guides, protocols and communication outreach materials when needed to support research programs and projects
• Assist RCFI Research Agronomy Lead in preparing work plans, budgets, quarterly and annual reports and help support new project contracts and grant development
• Assist team in designing and implementing an engagement and communication strategy to increase farmer participation and increase the effective dissemination of project results and communicate and promote the value of research programs
• Assist RCFI team in development and implementation of operational procedures, data management procedures, and other tools to ensure accuracy, efficiency and reliability
• Conduct education and outreach of data summarizations, including individual site, cross-site, and overall program level, to various audiences including farmers, non-farmers and stakeholders
• Coordinate with other ISA departments and staff embracing the culture of ISA and emulate that to the team

Competencies

• Practical understanding and application of agronomy, especially field and/or on-farm research
• Demonstrate initiative
• Act as a champion of change
• Relationship and network building
• Demonstrates exceptional customer service
• Evaluating and implementing ideas
• Effective oral and written communication, especially with farmers
• Prioritizing and executing work efficiently and effectively
• Provide technical assistance to farmers, team members, and all stakeholders

Location

Work remotely within the Western side of Iowa or in Ankeny.

Travel

This position requires up to 50% travel, primarily in Iowa. Frequently, travel is outside the local area and may be overnight.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no current supervisory responsibility. Some supervision for intern or temporary employees may be required.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in agronomy, environmental sciences, agricultural engineering, biological sciences, ecology, ag economics, or related field
• 3-5 years of experience working in agronomy, agronomy sales, or conservation agronomy
• Strong understanding of:
  • Technical knowledge of soybean cropping systems and agronomy
  • Experience in agricultural industry and ag retail system
  • On-farm research and/or applied field plot research
• Capable of working in a team environment while working independently to achieve specific project deliverables
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with diverse technical and non-technical audiences
• Understanding of computer technologies including data storage, statistical software, GIS, and monitoring equipment interfaces

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in agronomy, environmental sciences, agricultural engineering, biological sciences, ecology, ag economics or related field
• 5-7 years of professional working experience in agriculture sales or consulting organization
• Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) certification 

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Fitness center and golf simulator
• Flexible spending account available
• Cellphone and wellness reimbursement
• 401(k) with generous company match
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Dress for your day dress code

Overview

The Producer Services Coordinator (Western Iowa) connects soybean farmers to the Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) programs, services and leadership opportunities. This role serves as a trusted liaison between farmers and ISA, with a priority on growing ISA farmer membership and Advocate (non-checkoff) membership and deepening farmer engagement.

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Location

This position serves USDA Crop Districts 1, 4 and 7, with residency strongly recommended within one of these districts.

Essential Functions

• Build and strengthen relationships with soybean farmers through proactive outreach that supports ISA’s membership and engagement goals.
• Increase ISA’s farmer membership and Advocate membership by connecting farmers to resources, programs and leadership opportunities.
• Identify and recruit farmer leaders for ISA’s board, committees and leadership development programs.
• Track member engagement activity and support organizational reporting using HubSpot.
• Plan, promote and support farmer-focused events and grassroots meetings.
• Partner with ISA departments to successfully deliver projects and initiatives benefiting soybean farmers.
• Represent ISA at meetings, field days, trade shows and community events.

Competencies

• Strong relationship building and communication skills; comfortable on the farm or in group settings.
• Organized and dependable, with proven skills in event coordination and project management.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to partner effectively across departments.
• Highly motivated self-starter who thrives in a remote, independent work environment while communicating effectively and collaborating as a strong team player.
• Adaptable to changing needs, with a customer service approach that prioritizes farmer success.
• Tenacious and resilient in outreach efforts, with a passion for connecting people to opportunities.
• Enthusiasm for agriculture and a commitment to championing Iowa’s soybean farmers. 

Travel and Expectations

• Flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends.
• Frequent in-state travel; regular visits to ISA headquarters in Ankeny required. An ISA vehicle is provided.
• Remote work environment requiring consistent communication and collaboration with colleagues.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibility.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or related field.
• 2 to 4 years of relevant experience in agriculture, farmer relations, membership engagement or event coordination.
• Demonstrated organization, time management and project coordination skills.
• Strong communications skills, both written and verbal.
• Proven ability to work independently, take initiative and collaborate effectively in a team environment.

Physical Demands

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision insurance.
• Fitness center and golf simulator.
• Flexible spending account available.
• Cellphone and wellness reimbursement.
• 401(k) with generous company match.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Dress for your day dress code.

Overview

This role will support and assist the ISA Research Center for Farming Innovation with water quality and crop production research. The employee will be expected to provide support in processing data for both water quality and on-farm strip trials. Work will include running water samples in a laboratory environment, collecting soil and water samples and processing agronomic data. Following written protocols for proper data processing and organization is an essential function of this role. The research will be used to inform and assist farmers to improve the productivity and sustainability of crop production in Iowa.

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Essential Functions

• Perform analyses on water samples from various sources in accordance with established Quality Assurance (QA) protocols.
• Perform analyses on crop yield data based on established processing protocols.
• Maintain quality control requirements, data management, sample tracking and reporting in accordance with SOPs and QAPPs.
• Operates, calibrates, maintains, and properly documents the use of automated sampling equipment; helps with maintenance and calibration records.
• Assist with field-based water soil, and tissue sampling.
• Manage and catalog data related to research trials and water quality analyses.
• Performs related duties as needed or assigned.

Competencies

• Practical understanding and application of agronomy and environmental science.
• Prioritizing and organizing work.
• Demonstrates initiative and attention to detail.
• Customer focused.
• Use of laboratory equipment and technology.
• Communicating effectively.

Travel and Expectations

This position does require travel throughout the state.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibility.

Required Education and Experience

• Associate’s degree or higher in biological sciences, chemistry, environmental sciences, agronomy or related field.
• Ability to learn procedures for the analysis of samples; demonstrate good laboratory and field monitoring techniques; follow detailed oral and written instruction.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Experience in laboratory analyses, including: ion chromatography, coliform bacteria, turbidity, pH or titrations.
• Experience with GIS, agricultural research or precision agriculture.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision insurance.
• Fitness center and golf simulator.
• Flexible spending account available.
• Cellphone and wellness reimbursement.
• 401(k) with generous company match.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Dress for your day dress code.

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 and outdoor environments. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and software platforms such as Office 365. Field work is required and sampling equipment such as on-farm research and/or replicated strip trial layout and execution, water, soil and tissue sampling equipment, and GPS equipment are also used.  This role routinely involves working around heavy equipment and farming implements.  Proper use of safety equipment and safety procedures is required.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

A valid driver’s license is required.

Overview

To assist the ISA Research Center for Farming Innovation with cropping system research.  The employee will be expected to collect water quality, soil, and plant samples; conduct crop scouting and imagery analysis; process and organize data; and assist with data analysis. The research will be used to help ISA improve the productivity and sustainability of crop production in Iowa.

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Essential Functions

• Assist Research Agronomists in execution of on-farm research.
• Assist ISA Research on water sample collection throughout the state. Includes taking samples at defined locations, and collection of samples that are dropped off at collection points.
• Interact with farmers in a professional manner to execute experiments and data collection.
• Collect soil and plant samples from farm fields.
• Ability to take direction and work independently.
• Ability to enter and work with data collected using commonly used tools (Excel, Word, etc.).
• Participate in research discussions and planning meetings.
• Assist in other ISA Research program areas as needed.

Competencies

• Basic understanding and application of crop production.
• Prioritizing and organizing work.
• Demonstrates initiative and attention to detail.
• Communicating effectively.

Travel

This position requires frequent travel. Travel will be within Iowa using company vehicles and will normally be completed within normal business hours.

Required Education and Experience

• Ability to work efficiently on individual and team projects.
• Strong writing and oral communication skills.
• High level familiarity with farming practices, agricultural conservation, and water quality.
• Undergraduate degree (AA/S or BA/S), in progress or completed, with a focus in agriculture or environmental science.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Experience in agronomy or environmental science and field data collection and analysis preferred or comparable experience within agriculture.
• Experience conducting or assisting in research trials.
• Understanding of production agriculture and agricultural conservation practices preferred. 

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 and outdoor environments. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers and software platforms such as Office 365. Field work is required and sampling equipment such as on-farm research and/or replicated strip trial layout and execution, water, soil and tissue sampling equipment and GPS equipment are also used. This role routinely involves working around heavy equipment and farming implements.  Proper use of safety equipment and safety procedures is required.