Overview
The Conservation Agronomist will work with ag retail, landowners, and farmers across Iowa to execute conservation and agronomy technical assistance delivery increasing active farmer participation and successful engagement in programs and projects that improve production, profitability, and natural resource outcomes.
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Essential Functions
- Serve as a conservation and agronomy technical specialist providing technical assistance to farmers customers/members, landowners, and ag retail for designated projects across Iowa to include:
- Identification of appropriate in-field and edge-of-field agronomy and conservation practices for soil and water resource management practices and systems to address resource concerns, farmer/landowner goals, and watershed project goals
- Execution of on-farm research, including collection of data and management information
- Monitoring agronomic and conservation practice performance for continual improvement
- Connecting farmers and landowners with financial assistance and securing necessary technical design standards for practice application
- Build relationships and assist with watershed project development and coordination, serving as a technical agronomy and conservation liaison between watershed coordinators and ag retail across the state
- Build relationships and coordinate projects with project sponsors and a variety of audiences in the ag retail territory including farmers, landowners, local ag retail staff, Certified Crop Advisors, USDA Service Center personnel, local partners, and other commodity organizations
- Participate in partner meetings, trainings, events, and field days
- Prepare work plans, budgets, quarterly and annual reports, and support grant development
- Coordinate with other ISA departments and staff including communications and outreach, producer services and finance and accounting
- Exemplifies ISA and RCFI values, embracing and building that culture throughout the organization
Competencies
- Practical understanding and application of agronomy and environmental science
- Prioritizing and organizing work
- Establishing relationships
- Customer service
- Evaluating and implementing ideas
- Navigating organizations
- Acting as a champion for change
- Communicating effectively
Travel/Location
This position requires remote work, upwards of up to 50% in the field, typically in Iowa. Occasionally travel will be outside of Iowa requiring overnight lodging. Applicants should be located in west central Iowa or near ISA headquarters in Ankeny.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This position has no supervisory responsibility.
Required Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in agronomy, environmental sciences, agricultural engineering, biological sciences, ecology, sociology, or related field.
- Minimum of three to five years of experience working in agronomy or conservation.
- Strong understanding of:
- agricultural industry and the ag retail system
- cropping systems
- conservation delivery systems
- promotion of conservation practices
- Capable of working in a team environment while working independently to achieve specific project deliverables.
- Ability to work remotely and from affiliated office locations.
- Understanding of computer technologies including data storage, statistical software, GIS, and monitoring equipment interfaces.
Preferred Education and Experience
- Master’s degree in agronomy, environmental science, or related field.
- Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) certification
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.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental and Vision insurance
- Onsite Wellness Center
- Flexible Spending Account available
- Cellphone and Wellness reimbursement
- 401(k) with generous company match
- Tuition reimbursement program
- Dress for your Day Dress Code
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