Employment Opportunities: Join the ISA team!

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 Multimedia Specialist

Are you a strategic, creative communicator who understands the significance of visual imagery and knows how to tell a story in new and interesting ways? We are looking for a go-getter who understands the importance of maintaining a visual style and ensuring all photo and video assets are optimized for readers and search engines. You will play an important role in reaching and engaging Iowa’s soybean farmers through developing digital channels and established print publications. You’ll also play a critical role in engaging consumers through the Iowa Food & Family Project, a partner-driven organization headquartered at ISA with the goal of enhancing the understanding and trust of food-minded Iowans in modern agriculture.

Essential Functions 

  • Capture studio-quality content for:
    • The ISA website.
    • The Iowa Soybean Review magazine distributed to 38,000 soybean farmers (print and digital).
    • ISA’s social media platforms (Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn).
    • The Iowa Food & Family Project magazine (Fresh Pickings) and social media platforms.
    • Additional clients and print and digital needs as they arise
  • Lead the production (video interviews, photography and b-roll acquisition) of The State of Soy, ISA’s flagship video series shared on owned media channels and provided to numerous local, state and national media outlets.
  • Collaborate daily with fellow Information & Education team members on content decisions and suggest innovative ideas for telling stories visually.
  • Work closely with team members to develop concepts for print and digital products.
  • Provide feedback and guidance to staff on photography and videography work while ensuring resources and equipment are used properly.
  • Archive images and video, maintaining database for use by other team members.
  • Remain current with new best practices and editing technologies for photo and video.
  • Follow company's brand guidelines and messaging platform.
  • Maintain current, high-quality imagery for use across a variety of internal and external uses including ISA home office, photo books, paid media and other channels.
  • Assist the team in creating/designing ISA marketing materials (see preferred experience below).

 

Education & Experience

  • Bachelor’s Degree in photography, communications, graphic design, visual arts, digital media or similar field with a well-populated portfolio.
  • 2-4 years of experience as photographer and videographer.
  • Hands-on experience with traditional and modern photo equipment and experience using video editing software.
  • In-depth knowledge of photography software (Photoshop, Photo Mechanic, Lightroom, Capture One, etc.) and of computer imaging and studio management.
  • Proficient in Final Cut Pro X, Adobe After Effects.
  • Knowledge and understanding of motion graphics.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint and Excel).
  • Background in or understanding of agriculture strongly preferred.
  • 1-2 years of experience in graphic design (print or digital) is preferred.
  • Proficiency in Adobe CS (InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop) is preferred.

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 Consumer Insight & Engagement Manager

Improve the lives of Iowa soybean farmers by increasing awareness, understanding and trust of modern agriculture among key constituents including food-minded consumers, brand leaders and influencers.

Essential Functions 

  • Monitor and communicate issues pertaining to the soybean industry and their relationship to consumers’ quality of life; identify and act on opportunities to make these topics relevant to non-farm audiences and communicate them using high-value, consumer-facing channels.
  • Oversee Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) ag awareness portfolio that includes the Iowa Food & Family Project (Iowa FFP), CommonGround Iowa, Iowa Ag Literacy Foundation and more.
  • Develop and implement the strategies and activities of the Iowa FFP in partnership with allied partners and stakeholders.
    Collaborate with an external team of communications professionals to execute priority activities that drive greater trust in modern agriculture among key publics.
  • Establish and oversee ISA’s ag awareness budget; network with allied partners to leverage soybean checkoff investment in support of external funding.
  • Collect and apply quantitative and qualitative consumer research, including annual Consumer Pulse survey.
    Serve as editor of Fresh Pickings Magazine, a publication of the Iowa FFP; oversee its editorial schedule, distribution and finances including the procurement of advertising.
  • Lead content development for owned channels including social media, email newsletter and magazine.
  • Coordinate with ISA team members for content development across owned, earned and paid media channels.
  • Coordinate activities and tactics including community events, farm tours, keynote speakers and partner events.
  • Represent the organization with external partners, sponsors, media and Iowa FFP consumer audience.
  • Author quarterly reports, present updates to ISA board and external partners.
  • Provide timely feedback and input to the Sr. Dir., Information & Education, for the betterment of the team and ISA’s service to soybean farmers and industry stakeholders.

Education & Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications or related field.
  • 2 – 5 years of experience in related field such as public relations, communications, industry relations.
  • Passion for working with farmers and understanding of agriculture is strongly preferred
 Senior Writer II

Provide in-depth coverage and communications of issues impacting the production and profitability of soybeans. Emphasis on increasing awareness, understanding and engagement of Iowa soybean farmers in ISA’s Research Center for Farming Innovation.

Essential Functions 

  • Play a lead role in the development and implementation of a comprehensive research communications plan to elevate awareness and farmer engagement in the Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) Research Center for Farming Innovation (RCFI).
  • Provide in-depth coverage of ISA’s programs and activities with a focus on the work of the RCFI including topics centric to agronomic research, soybean production, soil and water health and research analytics.
  • Generate timely stories, info graphics, farmer testimonials and in-depth discoveries of on-farm trials and outcomes for ISA’s digital and e-communications including for publication in the Iowa Soybean Review.
  • Serve as editor of the RCFI annual report (published in February).
  • Develop, in collaboration with RCFI, promotions and outreach to growers to encourage greater farmer participation in ISA research activities. This includes webinars, printed materials, field events and special publications.
  • Develop promotions working collaboratively with ISA field operations team to drive awareness and attendance at field days, webinar participation and other research-specific events.
  • Maintain timely and accurate progress schedule of all assignments and deliverables as included in research contracts and proposals involving communications and farmer outreach activities.
  • Assist the communications & editorial director, public relations manager and Iowa Soybean Review editor in the development and execution of ISA’s editorial calendar.
  • Develop info graphics and content contributions for ISA social media.
  • Network closely with ISA public relations manager to maintain timely and accurate content for ISA message mapping pertaining to the ISA Research Team.
  • Provide copy editing and proofing of communications centric to the RCFI, Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance and Ag Clean Water Alliance.
  • Create farmer profiles/success stories that bring research work to life and encourage more farmers to get involved using print, photography, audio and video.
  • Strengthen association’s relationship with Iowa State University faculty and Extension staff by providing timely coverage of agronomic research, plant science, weed management and other soybean-focused activity.
  • Participate and provide update reports at weekly I&E team meetings and Friday Memo.

Education & Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or related field
  • 5 to 10 years proven experience in agricultural journalism and communications
 Monitoring and Verification Technician (Seasonal)

The Monitoring and Verification Technician is the monitoring and verification lead for AgOutcomes and the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund (www.theoutcomesfund.com). This position will implement the field verification, soil sampling and water sampling program of the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund in Iowa, Illinois, Ohio and other states TBD. This position will report to the Monitoring and Verification Coordinator, who oversees the implementation of Soil and Water Outcomes Fund monitoring and verification protocol. The position will work with partners and seasonal staff to coordinate and conduct the verification and monitoring, manage sampling locations, results and associated data management. The Monitoring and Verification will also support Soil & Water Outcomes Fund enrollment and other tasks on a as needed basis. This role reports to the Monitoring and Verification Coordinator. 

Essential Functions 

     

    • Conduct field verification and soil and water sampling
    • Perform QA/QC on all soil and water sampling data collected
    • Utilize system to collect field level data including but not limited to field notes, photo, sampling notes, monitoring results, etc.
    • Work with water and soil scientists to conduct analysis of sampling results
    • Work with Midwest Labs, Waypoint Labs, Iowa Soybean Association and other labs to receive and analyze soil and water samples.
    • Maintain a strong understanding of the Soil & Water Outcomes Fund

    Education & Experience 

     

    • Bachelor’s degree in agronomy, environmental sciences, agricultural engineering, biological sciences, ecology or related field.
    • Experience collecting soil or water samples.
    • Strong understanding of Midwest cropping systems and conservation practices.
    • Understanding of computer technologies including cloud-based data storage and GIS.
    • Ability to use GPS and/or mobile devices to navigate to sampling locations.

     

     

    Apply Now
     Research Field Technician (Seasonal)

    The Research Field Technician will assist the ISA Research Center for Farming Innovation with water quality and crop production 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. This role reports to the Sr. Research Program Manager. 

    Essential Functions 

     

    • 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.
    • Assist Field Services Program Managers in execution of on-farm research.
    • 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.).
    • With proper training, conduct crop scouting and use aerial imagery for pest, disease, and different stresses.
    • Assist in other ISA Research program areas as needed.

    Education & 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 (BA or BS), in progress or completed, with a focus in agriculture or environmental science.
    • Experience in agronomy or environmental science and field data collection and analysis preferred.
    • Understanding of production agriculture and agricultural conservation practices preferred.

     

     

     

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     Producer Services & Event Management Intern

    The intern will work with Amplify Association Management, who serve various state and national professional and trade association clients, and the ISA Producer Services Team, interacting with Iowa’s soybean farmers. Internship will include projects relating to meeting management, sponsor/exhibitor assistance, membership campaigns, social media content creation, writing, marketing and administrative tasks. 

    Essential Functions 

       

      • Assist with developing, writing, designing, proofreading and creating/ordering materials (can include signage, brochures, website content, social media posts, surveys and e-mails)
      • Communicate with farmers, members, clients and sponsors/stake holders
      • Assist with meeting planning, preparation, registration and follow up or evaluation
      • Track engagement and make entries in membership or education credit databases
      • Assist with event emergency/crisis planning
      • Assist in the creation and implementation of an ISA membership campaign
      • Represent ISA at farmer-centric meetings, field days and trade shows
      • Onsite assistance at Amplify client events as needed
      • Other tasks as assigned

      Education

      • Undergraduate degree (BA or BS), in progress or completed, with a focus in agriculture or hospitality/event management 

         

         

        Apply Now