Position Description: Lamoille County Agricultural Program Specialist

Position Description: Lamoille County Conservation District (LCCD) seeks two full time Lamoille County Agricultural Program Specialists. This role involves helping the director provide technical and programmatic outreach to farms in Lamoille County and connect the agricultural community with funding opportunities through United States Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) programs, The Vermont Agency of Agriculture and other state and federal clean water grants. The Director will need assistance with these programs as well, particularly as they relate to riparian buffer zone plantings and floodplain restoration.  This position will also assist the Director with the annual LCCD Tree Sale.

The Lamoille County Agricultural Outreach Specialist will manage new and ongoing projects. Duties include project development, conservation implementation, public education, outreach and partner networking. This position will also be trained to at least a Conservation Planner 1 level under the NRCS training program. These positions will be provided many other training opportunities by other Vermont Natural Resources Conservation Districts (NRCDs) as well as their non-profit mother agency the Vermont Association oof Conservation Districts (VACD)

This position will be based out of the Lamoille County USDA Service Center in Morrisville, Vermont. Entrepreneurial individuals and independent workers with solid work ethic and high personal performance standards are encouraged to apply.  Starting hourly range $22- $23/hr. Fulltime, non-exempt.

Responsibilities:

●                Support the District Manager in education and outreach, program development, and implementation of the NRCS 9 steps of conservation planning as they relate to the local funding pool, and other NRCS, state and federal programs.

●                Assist in administrative and technical assistance to farms with existing UVM GoCrop™ nutrient management plans. Provide education about nutrient management practices that will improve water quality while ideally improving farm operations, yields etc. – i.e. crop selection, crop/nutrient record-keeping, feed management, and manure management practices.

●                Provide soil sampling services.

●                Become proficient in NRCS land treatment planning standards and train for at least a level 1 Conservation Planner certification to assist with the completion of field and farm assessments with each producer and summarized in a conservation plan that sets priorities to be addressed. Further levels of Conservation Planning (2-3) are also promoted and can be funded through this position.

●                Track progress in delivering technical assistance and practice implementation. Assist with application and implementation of district grant, including documentation and reporting according to funder requirements.

●                Disseminate information on Best Management Practices (BMPs), Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs), and NRCD, state, and federal cost share and assistance programs.

●                Development of outreach methods and materials i.e. workshops, field days, publications, newsletters, flyers to inform producers of BMPs, nutrient management strategies and provide a forum for information exchange between producers.

●                Collaborate with UVM extension, NRCS and VT ANR staff.

●                Collaborate programs with and facilitate among a wide variety of partners (local, state and federal) to accomplish projects and programs.

●                Work with the District Manager on growth & development of the district’s agricultural capacity.

●                Act as a liaison between the Lamoille County NRCD, its partners, and the general public as an outreach and information source.

●                      Represent the Lamoille County NRCD at public functions, a responsibility shared among staff & Supervisors, including but not limited to local and regional planning commissions, town meetings, and other local civic activities as appropriate.

●                Perform additional related responsibilities as need arises.

Qualifications:

A Bachelor of Science Degree is not required but 1 to 3 years of experience with natural resources, environmental sciences, or land planning is preferred.  Candidate must be able to clear a thorough background check which will enable them to work within the USDA NRCS Federal computer system.

●                Project management experience including identifying and developing budgets, deliverables, and work plans;

●                Knowledge of and/or experience with mitigating water quality and non-point source pollution concerns and the implementation of best management practices;

●                Familiarity with agricultural systems and regulations;

●                Knowledge of environmental conservation topics and natural resource concerns in Vermont;

●                Computer literacy required including experience with MS Word, Excel, GIS and web-based programs;

●                Self-organization and goal setting; detail-oriented in reporting and organization;

●                Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication, and public speaking skills;

●                Ability to work cooperatively with varied audiences, landowners, municipalities, peers, and staff from a variety of agencies;

●                Comfortable with physical and outdoor work in all types of weather.

To Apply:

Please e-mail lccddirector@gmail.com a cover letter and resume (as a single PDF) to the Lamoille County NRCD with “Job Search Committee” in the header by September 6th, 2024.  Direct any questions to this email address. No phone calls, please.

LCCD is an EOE Employer