Position Title: Conservation Agronomist

Location: 122 E. Illinois Ave., Greensburg, KS

Application Deadline: Applications will be taken until position is filled

The Kiowa County Conservation District (CD) is seeking a talented and experienced Conservation Agronomist to apply his or her skills in to advance sustainable agricultural practices and environmental outcomes in a multi-county area. The incumbent will serve as a conservation leader in the area to foster and expand collaborative public-private partnerships with agricultural retailers, crop consultants, state and federal conservation agencies, and other organizations that help advance a voluntary, incentive-based approach to private lands conservation. The incumbent will lead efforts to enhance coordination, training, and information for the farming community so that both the public and private sector organizations can provide integrated and complementary conservation assistance to their shared customers.

The incumbent will represent the CD at public meetings and events. The incumbent will report to the Kiowa County Conservation District Board of Supervisors and will work closely with other conservation district and Alliance CO-OP staff. Importantly, the incumbent will also work closely with agricultural retailers and crop consultants in the multi-county area to better connect their agronomic planning and implementation services (including nutrient, soil, and pest management practices) with assistance provided by the CD and NRCS.

Primary Responsibilities:

Information and Education:

• Work closely with ag retailers to help them understand natural resource concerns, as identified by NRCS, and conservation programs and practices designed to address those resource concerns.
• Provide training opportunities to agricultural retailers and other agriculture organizations on state and federal conservation programs to improve awareness, farmer access to assistance, and on-the-ground coordination with CDs and agricultural organizations.
• Provide training and information to CDs and NRCS field offices on modern production agriculture systems, including precision ag, nutrient and pest management, and other agronomic services that improve productivity while minimizing natural resource concerns.
• Build conservation expertise and capacity at both the CD and agricultural retailers in the area to drive adoption of on-farm stewardship practices.
• With partners, develop and implement workshops and field days designed to educate farmers, farm-related and farmer-led organizations on best practices and other innovative conservation systems that benefit natural resource quality and farm productivity.

Technical Assistance:

• Serve as a leader in the multi-county area to advance public-private partnerships through state and federal conservation programs, including NRCS’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program, Source Water protection assistance, and Conservation Innovation Grants.
• Assist the USDA Field Office Staff in providing on-site technical assistance to private landowners under contract with USDA for the implementation of conservation practices.
• Work closely and build and maintain a good working relationship with CD and NRCS staff, agricultural retailers and crop consultants, and other resource management professionals, both public and private, in support of a holistic approach to the management of natural resources.
• Assist clients with applying for financial assistance through USDA Farm Bill Programs and other state/local conservation implementation and incentive programs. Assist with application processing, contract development, application ranking and document preparation for program.
• Assist contract holders with technical guidance regarding implementation of their contracts.
• Assist Field Office Staff with monitoring progress of contract implementation, reviews, processing contract modifications and payments, and general correspondence.
• Learn program rules and regulations concerning administration of applications and contracting procedures for each Farm Bill program under NRCS.
• Use agency-specific software related to mapping, planning & implementation.
• Maintain accurate, well-organized records of customer interaction and decisions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in agronomy, environmental science, soil science, horticulture, viticulture, or a closely related field is preferred. A minimum of 5 years specialized work experience in a natural resource management field may be substituted for education.
• An awareness of and working knowledge in:
• Principles and practices of sustainable agriculture.
• Soil management practices including conservation tillage, cover cropping, conservation crop rotation, and amendment applications.
• Erosional processes and best management practices for water quality protection.
• Strong communication skills, including both written and public speaking and presentation skills.
• Strong computer skills, including ability to navigate the internet, use Outlook, create Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents.
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to set priorities, manage time, work under pressure and manage multiple projects effectively.
• Desire to embrace the mission of the conservation district in close collaboration with agricultural retailers and crop consultants to promote responsible natural resource management through voluntary community stewardship and technical assistance.
• Must be willing to travel over a multi county area in western Kansas to work with ag retailers and producers. Occasional use of personal vehicle may be necessary. Occasional overnight travel will be required.
• Must be willing to maintain a flexible work schedule, with occasional work on weekday nights and weekends being required.

• Must always possess a valid driver’s license during employment.
• Must successfully complete a federal background investigation.
• Obtain level 2 e-Authentication

Salary, Benefits, Work Hours, Location:

• This position will be based at the Kiowa County Conservation District Office in Greensburg, KS. This is a full-time (40 hours per week), salaried position which includes some benefits (paid federal holidays, medical stipend, paid leave). Pay rate will be approximately $60,000/year; based on experience. Flexibility in scheduling is possible, with a typical work week being Monday through Friday, This is a two-year, grant funded position, with possible funding extension.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Greensburg, KS 67054: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Farming/agriculture: 2 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• CDL C (Required)
• Agronomy degree (Required)

Security clearance:

• Confidential (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

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