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Virginia Agricultural Field Technician
Richmond, VA
Job Description
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks a Virginia Agricultural Field Technician be based in the upper James River watershed, focused mainly in Rockbridge, Highland and Bath Counties.
THE CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION
Established in 1967, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the largest regional nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to saving the Chesapeake Bay, its rivers and streams, and the wildlife that call it home through education, advocacy, litigation, and restoration. Since 2010, CBF has engaged in a focused effort to defend and implement the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint, a binding federal and state collaborative agreement aimed at reducing pollution to the science-based, legally-affirmed levels established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Blueprint is expected to be fully implemented by 2025. If the states and the federal government achieve Blueprint goals, the Bay will finally—after decades of failed efforts—be removed from the Clean Water Act’s impaired waters list. Successfully implementing the Blueprint depends on a well-informed, engaged, active, and diverse constituency of members, advocates, and volunteers who speak up and take action to save the Bay.
CBF has a staff of approximately 190 employees working in offices in Annapolis, Maryland; Richmond and Virginia Beach, Virginia; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Washington, D.C. as well as 15 field education program locations. Our staff and volunteer corps work throughout the region educating students and adults, advocating for clean water policies, restoring waterways, and litigating when necessary.
CBF's headquarters office in Annapolis, Maryland is the Philip Merrill Environmental Center, the world’s first U.S. Green Build Council’s LEED platinum building. In 2014, CBF opened the Brock Environmental Center—one of the world’s most energy efficient, environmentally smart buildings—in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
CBF has an annual budget of approximately $26 million and is supported by 300,000 members and e-subscribers. For more information on CBF, please visit cbf.org.
CONTEXT OF THE POSITION
The Field Technician will identify and recruit farmers and landowners to deliver cost-share funding in the Upper James River watershed, with a focus on installing Riparian Forest Buffers (RFBs). Through one-on-one meetings with farmers and landowners, the Field Technician will work with the community to increase awareness of how land management affects water quality, increase understanding of what practices can reduce nutrient and sediment loss, and connect landowners to sources of technical and financial assistance to implement key conservation practices; RFBs will be a priority practice.
Salary: $40,000 (This is a grant funded position so this number is not negotiable)
Essential functions include:
• Work in cooperation with and assist numerous staff from CBF, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Farm Service Agency (FSA), and the local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), among others, to install agriculture Best Management Practices (BMPs) with a focus on installation of new Riparian Forest Buffers (RFBs)
• Conduct meetings with farmers located in the Upper James River watershed to encourage adoption of BMPs.
• Visit individual farms and assess general eligibility for the USDA conservation and State Ag BMP programs. Efforts to reach farm landowners will require direct one-to-one contact, including “cold calls” and speaking before groups at appropriate venues.
• Implement stream fencing projects that will result in livestock stream exclusion and allow for riparian forest buffer installation.
• Assist in identifying target audiences for program marketing, in sending mass mailings, and in preparing news releases.
• Submit bi-weekly accomplishment reports to CBF.
• Work to ensure that systems, organizational culture, and practices are aligned with CBF’s mission, values and commitments related to DEIJ.
• Develop and refine programs and activities to ensure equitable practices and support the development of a diverse and effective team.
• Ensure an inclusive working environments that supports diverse populations.
PREFERRED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
Successful candidate must have a Bachelor of Science or Associate degree in Biological Science, Agricultural Science, Forestry, or related field, or equivalent experience. Applicants must have knowledge of farming enterprises, especially in the Valley and Ridge region of Virginia. Applicants must have knowledge of livestock watering systems and livestock exclusion systems, as well as knowledge of municipal property records and USDA program requirements. Successful candidates must also have strong communication skills and ability to with the agriculture community. Candidates must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Windows and access to an internet connection, as well as a valid motor vehicle license with the ability to use a personal vehicle for work travel (CBF reimburses for mileage driven using the federal government mileage reimbursement rate).
This is a fully grant-funded three-year position that will conclude when the grant project ends. Currently, the grant project is scheduled to conclude on December 31, 2023.
• Ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Ability to receive and give supportive feedback to foster equity and inclusion in working relationships.
• Ability to recognize, nurture, and learn from strengths in co-workers.
• Having flexibility to accomplish job responsibilities in several work environments, whether it be from home, on the road, or in an office.
To apply, please send resume and cover letter no later than February 14, 2021.
CBF offers a comprehensive benefits package to include: 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, health, vision, dental, life insurance, and a tax deferred retirement plan.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND JUSTICE
Just as biodiversity is the key to a thriving ecosystem, human diversity is the key to saving the Bay. Success depends on people from widely diverse backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, identities, and races taking collective action. Clean water, clean air, and a safe environment are rights we all share.
To increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will:
· Recruit and retain a staff, board, and membership that reflect the diversity of people living within the Chesapeake Bay region;
· Strengthen and broaden the diversity of our partnerships;
· Celebrate and value the diversity of staff; and
· Fight to ensure that everyone has equal access to clean water, clean air, and a safe environment.
CBF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
THE CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION
Established in 1967, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the largest regional nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to saving the Chesapeake Bay, its rivers and streams, and the wildlife that call it home through education, advocacy, litigation, and restoration. Since 2010, CBF has engaged in a focused effort to defend and implement the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint, a binding federal and state collaborative agreement aimed at reducing pollution to the science-based, legally-affirmed levels established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Blueprint is expected to be fully implemented by 2025. If the states and the federal government achieve Blueprint goals, the Bay will finally—after decades of failed efforts—be removed from the Clean Water Act’s impaired waters list. Successfully implementing the Blueprint depends on a well-informed, engaged, active, and diverse constituency of members, advocates, and volunteers who speak up and take action to save the Bay.
CBF has a staff of approximately 190 employees working in offices in Annapolis, Maryland; Richmond and Virginia Beach, Virginia; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Washington, D.C. as well as 15 field education program locations. Our staff and volunteer corps work throughout the region educating students and adults, advocating for clean water policies, restoring waterways, and litigating when necessary.
CBF's headquarters office in Annapolis, Maryland is the Philip Merrill Environmental Center, the world’s first U.S. Green Build Council’s LEED platinum building. In 2014, CBF opened the Brock Environmental Center—one of the world’s most energy efficient, environmentally smart buildings—in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
CBF has an annual budget of approximately $26 million and is supported by 300,000 members and e-subscribers. For more information on CBF, please visit cbf.org.
CONTEXT OF THE POSITION
The Field Technician will identify and recruit farmers and landowners to deliver cost-share funding in the Upper James River watershed, with a focus on installing Riparian Forest Buffers (RFBs). Through one-on-one meetings with farmers and landowners, the Field Technician will work with the community to increase awareness of how land management affects water quality, increase understanding of what practices can reduce nutrient and sediment loss, and connect landowners to sources of technical and financial assistance to implement key conservation practices; RFBs will be a priority practice.
Salary: $40,000 (This is a grant funded position so this number is not negotiable)
Essential functions include:
• Work in cooperation with and assist numerous staff from CBF, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Farm Service Agency (FSA), and the local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), among others, to install agriculture Best Management Practices (BMPs) with a focus on installation of new Riparian Forest Buffers (RFBs)
• Conduct meetings with farmers located in the Upper James River watershed to encourage adoption of BMPs.
• Visit individual farms and assess general eligibility for the USDA conservation and State Ag BMP programs. Efforts to reach farm landowners will require direct one-to-one contact, including “cold calls” and speaking before groups at appropriate venues.
• Implement stream fencing projects that will result in livestock stream exclusion and allow for riparian forest buffer installation.
• Assist in identifying target audiences for program marketing, in sending mass mailings, and in preparing news releases.
• Submit bi-weekly accomplishment reports to CBF.
• Work to ensure that systems, organizational culture, and practices are aligned with CBF’s mission, values and commitments related to DEIJ.
• Develop and refine programs and activities to ensure equitable practices and support the development of a diverse and effective team.
• Ensure an inclusive working environments that supports diverse populations.
PREFERRED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
Successful candidate must have a Bachelor of Science or Associate degree in Biological Science, Agricultural Science, Forestry, or related field, or equivalent experience. Applicants must have knowledge of farming enterprises, especially in the Valley and Ridge region of Virginia. Applicants must have knowledge of livestock watering systems and livestock exclusion systems, as well as knowledge of municipal property records and USDA program requirements. Successful candidates must also have strong communication skills and ability to with the agriculture community. Candidates must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Windows and access to an internet connection, as well as a valid motor vehicle license with the ability to use a personal vehicle for work travel (CBF reimburses for mileage driven using the federal government mileage reimbursement rate).
This is a fully grant-funded three-year position that will conclude when the grant project ends. Currently, the grant project is scheduled to conclude on December 31, 2023.
• Ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Ability to receive and give supportive feedback to foster equity and inclusion in working relationships.
• Ability to recognize, nurture, and learn from strengths in co-workers.
• Having flexibility to accomplish job responsibilities in several work environments, whether it be from home, on the road, or in an office.
To apply, please send resume and cover letter no later than February 14, 2021.
CBF offers a comprehensive benefits package to include: 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, health, vision, dental, life insurance, and a tax deferred retirement plan.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND JUSTICE
Just as biodiversity is the key to a thriving ecosystem, human diversity is the key to saving the Bay. Success depends on people from widely diverse backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, identities, and races taking collective action. Clean water, clean air, and a safe environment are rights we all share.
To increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will:
· Recruit and retain a staff, board, and membership that reflect the diversity of people living within the Chesapeake Bay region;
· Strengthen and broaden the diversity of our partnerships;
· Celebrate and value the diversity of staff; and
· Fight to ensure that everyone has equal access to clean water, clean air, and a safe environment.
CBF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
Job Summary
Employment Term and Type
Regular, Full Time
Salary and Benefits
40,000
Required Education
Associate Degree
Required Experience
1 to 2 years
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