Reports to: Conservation Program Manager
Supervises: N/A
Status: Non-Exempt, 32 hours/week
Pay: $18.00-$20.00/hour
OVERVIEW
This position will serve to assist in the development of the conservation program in a number of in-field and in-office ways. Primary duties will include planning and conducting outreach for events that educate and inspire farmers and non-farm landowners to implement conservation practices that are profitable and benefit the water, land and climate. If you are highly organized, passionate about the environment, and want to support communities that improve our land and water, this is a great role for you!
ABOUT CLEAN RIVER PARTNERS
Clean River Partners (CRP) is an environmental nonprofit based in Northfield, MN. We envision communities that create and protect a watershed with healthy soils; safe drinking water; and clean, fishable, and swimmable rivers, lakes and streams. We partner with people and organizations to value, protect, and improve the Cannon River Watershed’s land and water. Our core values of resilience, equity, and engagement guide all of our work.
ABOUT THE CONSERVATION PROGRAM
CRP’s Conservation Program improves water quality and soil health and builds climate security and resilience. We connect farmers to conservation practices, promote habitat protection and restoration, and bring together organizations to build networks and shared vision.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist and/or lead in planning and facilitating educational events for farmers, academic institutions, industry professionals, non-profits, and the public. CRP’s in-person and virtual educational programs and events (such as meetings, field days, workshops, and webinars) inform participants about the ecological, economic, and community benefits of conservation practices. This role will be responsible for event planning such as procuring vendors, promoting events, evaluating an event’s effectiveness, and conducting follow up communications with participants.
- Conduct outreach for events by creating promotional materials, sharing materials and event information through digital and postal mailing, phone calls, etc., and managing contact lists, and contact and follow through with suppliers for event materials.
- Build relationships and effectively communicate with farmers, landowners, and representatives of government agencies, community organizations, academic institutions and other non-profit organizations via telephone, email, and in-person.
- Collect field data, assist in analyzing findings, and assist with producing reports of conservation-based and climate research projects focused on water quality, soil health, cover crops, emerging alternative crops, etc. exercising attention to detail and methodical practices.
- Communicate the impacts of the conservation program and CRP generally through CRP’s website, press releases, newspaper articles, reports, and informational pieces.
- Develop digital resources associated with the conservation program which may include interactive maps, video or audio impact stories, and other interactive tools to engage our partners and audiences.
- Serve as a representative of the conservation program and CRP while attending meetings, workshops, and other events that overlap with CRP’s mission.
- Other duties as assigned
KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
Required
- Education: Associate’s or bachelor’s degree and/or 2 years of relevant work experience
- Familiar with agricultural conservation practices of the Upper Midwest
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills; capable of working effectively with the public, private and government sectors
- Ability to connect with farming and non-farming communities
- Ability to perform outdoor field work, such as collect water, soil, and forage samples, in a variety of conditions
- Comfortable with Microsoft Office Suite, WordPress, Google Suite of products, social media platforms
- Well-organized and attentive to details
- Self-motivated and results driven
- Valid Driver’s License and vehicle access
Preferred
- Educational experience from relevant agricultural or conservation program (environmental or earth science, agronomy, or related field)
- Personal experience with agriculture and related conservation activities
- Familiarity with the ecology and management of natural habitats found throughout the Upper Midwest
- Knowledge about and/or familiarity with USDA programs and governmental conservation organizations
- Experience organizing educational events and speaking publicly
- Experience planning and facilitating public facing events
- Grant writing/reporting experience
- Working capacity with ArcGIS (or other GIS platform)
- Experience in field data collection and analysis
- Proficiency in the Spanish language
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
- Work is inside an office in the off-season, but indoor work can be completed in the CRP office in Northfield, MN and/or in a home office. During the growing season, much of the work performed will happen outdoors, in all conditions: walking fields, collecting water, soil and forage samples, as well as hosting and attending field days and other public events.
APPLY
Send resume and cover letter to Jennifer Tonko at jennifer@cleanriverpartners.org. The position is open until filled.
