Job description

Do you have an entrepreneurial mindset?

Are you a self starter?

Do you have the intuition to come into a company, see needs they have, and fulfill them or make suggestions for changes?

If you answered yes to all 3, we are looking for you!!

New England Consulting Services (NECS) strives to strengthen the agricultural viability of farms by working with landowners to address short- and long-term capital needs through careful planning and diversification strategies. Our motto of “keeping farmers farming and farmland farmable” is one which surrounds our commitment of identifying the most applicable diversification, market security, modernization, implementation of soil and water conservation practices, and farm succession strategies for all of the farmers we serve. Our passion, experience, ability to take action, and persistence to see projects through to completion are the cornerstones of NECS’ success.

Type: Part Time or Full Time W2 Employee

Location: Amherst, MA

Job Summary:

NECS is seeking a part-time or full-time Agricultural Outreach Coordinator with prior work experience providing direct technical assistance to farmers and landowners or with direct experience in production agriculture themselves. The Agricultural Outreach Coordinator will be required to meet farmers and landowners where they are, and through dialogue and learning, identify opportunities where conservation practices can be implemented to help address challenges faced by those farmers and landowners while also improving their communities. This Western Mass initiative is conducted in partnership with the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Districts (MACD), with support from MassDEP and its Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution Management Program.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Build relationships with local farmers in identified watersheds.
• Assist farmers in the identification of specific federal USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and state Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) programs designed to assist in the viability, conservation, and management of land use for food and fiber production or the preservation of natural resources (on the job training provided).
• Conduct outreach to farmers and on-farm site visits.
• Act as a liaison between farmers and NRCS conservation planners.
• Aid in the layout and installation of conservation practices.
• Write out farm plans, grant applications, and conservations plans.
• Facilitate grant applications to NRCS and MDAR programs for conservation practice implementation.
• Develop and compile ArcGIS conservation planning maps to facilitate correspondence, pre-application planning, and contract paperwork for NRCS and MDAR opportunities.
• Compile data for input into nutrient and pest management components of conservation plans for program applicants and contracts for certification.
• Maintain mailing and contact lists for current and future outreach.
• Attend program related meetings to gather data and record information.
• Maintain records of work accomplishments for reports relative to all agricultural programs.
• Perform other related duties and activities as assigned.

Requirements:

• Must Have: Valid driver's license and a working motor vehicle for use during performance of duties (where necessary, mileage reimbursement will be provided).
• Must be comfortable working directly with farmers and other landowners, groups, and individuals.
• Knowledge of ArcGIS Mapping Software is preferred.
• A willingness to be trained on new software tools, grant applications programs and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Strong background in agriculture, conservation, soil science, or environmental science and work experience that includes the application of techniques, principles, and methods from a variety of agricultural or natural resource fields.
• Familiarity with federal and state policies and programs to assist in the viability of food and fiber production and implementation of conservation for the management of natural resources is preferred.

Other required skills include:

• Ability to produce work products using computers, MS Office, and G-Suite applications.
• Skill in organizational and administrative tasks.
• Skill in both oral and written communication.
• Ability to work well with others, individually and in groups in a friendly, positive, and professional manner.

NECS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees, contractors, and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability. In addition to federal law requirements, NECS complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination and applies to all terms and conditions of employment.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: Up to $20.00 per hour

Schedule:

• 4 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Self-determined schedule

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Amherst, MA: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Application Question(s):

• Are you willing to travel up to 75% of the time to Farmer Sites?

Experience:

• Farming: 3 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: One location

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