Agriculture Projects Associate

This position is under the direct supervision of the Agriculture Projects Manager. This position will work directly with farmers and corporate partners to strategize and implement a wide range of conservation practices. The Agriculture Projects Associate is a fast-paced, full-time position working to help advance the Alliance’s Agriculture and Forests Programs implementation of conservation practices throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The position will support farmer and partner relations, project management, grant management, reimbursements, and programmatic financial reporting. This position will involve regular fieldwork in Central and Northern Virginia and supporting work in Southern/Western Maryland Regions.

Specific Duties of the Position:

• Support the coordination, planning, and implementation of agriculture BMPs on farms in Northern and Central Virginia and Southern/Western Maryland, which includes:
  • Conducting landowner outreach within and outside Alliance-corporate partnership frameworks across Central and Northern VA and, on occasion, Southern and Western Maryland
    Provide direct on-site farm support as needed, variable from week to week.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with farmers, agricultural consultants, contractors, federal and state agencies, corporate partners, soil and water conservation districts, and other industry stakeholders through site visits and meetings as needed.
  • Helps ensure project deliverables are met by providing field inspections and site visits.
• Support the Alliance’s overall Agriculture Program strategic efforts by:
  • Providing event support, meeting coordination, and other administrative assistance with appropriate oversight, such as programmatic and financial reporting.
  • Support corporate partners’ strategy and planning.
  • Contribute to the Alliance’s various Agriculture Program team efforts.

Qualifications & Experience:

• 1+ years of professional experience (which may include internships) conducting outreach to and/or working with farmers or landowners on agricultural or forestry related best management practices. An advanced degree may be substituted for this professional experience qualification.
• Passion for and knowledge of forestry, afforestation, reforestation, and forest management
• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to manage multiple tasks and requests.
• Effective communication and public speaking skills.