Precision Conservation Specialist

Job purpose

Precision Conservation Management (PCM) is a farmer service program led by the Illinois Corn Growers Association in partnership with over 30 conservation leaders, including PepsiCo and the Nebraska Corn Board. PCM’s mission is to increase adoption of conservation practices on corn, soybean, and wheat fields while evaluating their impact on farm financial stability. The Precision Conservation Specialist provides technical assistance to enrolled cooperators in the Gothenburg region. This position offers a culture of professional and personal growth; as part of a growing program, you will have opportunities to shape future work and development. In this role, you will work in conjunction with program partner PepsiCo to support farmers who grow corn for Frito-Lay, helping them adopt conservation practices in water, nutrient, and soil management. You will educate cooperators about conservation practices and connect farmers in the Frito-Lay sourcing region to exclusive incentive programs and cost-share opportunities. The Specialist will be responsible for helping farmers within an approximately 90-mile radius of Gothenburg, NE secure financial and technical assistance to adopt conservation practices and/or expand their use of conservation practices. PCM Specialists also have reporting responsibilities to PCM partners, including PepsiCo, demonstrating success in expending grant funding and cost-share dollars provided by the partners. Additional expectations of assisting program partners are required from time to time. PCM Specialists deliver customized reports to farmers, summarizing the sustainability and financial impacts of their current operations and generating environmental and financial comparisons with other farming practices. This role is ideal for someone passionate about sustainable agriculture, eager to support Nebraska farmers in achieving environmental and economic success.

Duties and responsibilities

• Support up to 100 farmers within the PCM program as they work to adopt conservation practices.
• Promote PCM and the implementation of specific conservation practices.
• Represent the project and demonstrate strong management and administrative responsibility.
• Collaborate with and maintain open communication with the PCM Director, PCM Operations Manager on the implementation of PCM objectives. 
• Identify opportunities and challenges in meeting PCM objectives and work with other PCM staff including analysts, Specialists, data collectors, and partners, to meet goals.
• Conduct and coordinate internal and external communications.
• Coordinate with other PCM Specialists and partners to conduct farmer meetings and trainings.
• Collect and maintain detailed and up-to-date farmer management data and other program records.
• Coordinate and execute strategic and programmatic activities of the PCM program.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree related to agricultural management, production agriculture, agronomy, ag economics, or agricultural/environmental sustainability strongly preferred.

• Ability to prioritize a heavy and varied workload, deliver results on a timeline, and provide regular report of activities/achievements.
• Willingness to travel extensively within the multi-county area to meet farmers at their homes, shops, or fields.
• Proficient with basic computer software (Microsoft Office Suite) and comfortability entering data into online platforms and into Excel
• Self-motivated.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to work with farmers and manage professional relationships.
• Proven ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• Understanding of current farming practices, nitrogen application techniques, and nitrogen loss concerns.

Physical requirements

• Position will require regular local travel, and some regional travel within the Midwest including three team meetings a year.
• May require in-field work to collect data and samples in various weather and physical environments.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.