Agriculture Specialist

Organization:
Beaver Watershed Alliance (BWA)

Position Type:
Full-Time, Salary Position ($42,500 – $50,000, commensurate with experience)

Posting Date:
February 11, 2026

Close Date:
February 27, 2026

Beaver Watershed Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to proactively protecting, enhancing, and sustaining water quality in Beaver Lake and the integrity of its watershed. The Alliance works collaboratively with landowners, producers, agencies, researchers, and community partners to advance voluntary, science-based conservation practices on working lands.

The Alliance is a 501c3 nonprofit organized for the purpose of working on voluntary and education programs and projects, fostering communication among diverse stakeholders, and restoring the water quality of impaired stream and lake areas. The objective of the Alliance is to maintain a long‑term, high‑quality drinking water supply to meet the present needs and continuing growth of the Northwest Arkansas region.

As a science‑based organization, we develop innovative, on‑ground solutions and engage multiple communities to address local challenges in watershed management in the Northwest Arkansas region. Our work is focused on Source Water Protection efforts for Beaver Lake, our drinking water source for now 1 in 5 Arkansans, or over 600,000 residents. Our work is guided by the Beaver Lake Watershed Protection Strategy, a US EPA accepted plan.

Our values are centered on a commitment to sustainable, high‑quality water supplies, diversity and respect for all people, communities, and cultures and serving the Northwest Arkansas region to the best of our ability.

The Agricultural Watershed Specialist plays a lead role in implementing agricultural conservation projects that protect water quality while supporting productive, profitable farming operations. This position is initially based on a 3‑year project, with opportunity to expand as additional funding is available. The position focuses on landowner engagement, technical assistance, and delivery of technology transfer activities associated with biochar, soil health, nutrient management, and edge‑of‑field conservation practices—particularly within priority watersheds such as Brush Creek.

In addition, this role will assist with other agricultural and conservation programs occurring in the Beaver Lake watershed.

• Serve as a primary point of contact for agricultural producers participating in conservation and demonstration projects.
• Identify, recruit, and support producer participation in voluntary conservation programs, including Discovery Farm and watershed demonstration initiatives.
• Coordinate on‑farm site visits, assessments, and development of individualized conservation management plans.
• Support installation, operation, and maintenance coordination for edge‑of‑field and watershed monitoring sites in collaboration with research partners.
• Plan, organize, and facilitate agricultural workshops, field days, information dinners, and stewardship events (minimum 6 field days/workshops over 3 years).
• Lead technology transfer efforts related to biochar applications, soil health practices, and nutrient management strategies.
• Develop or assist in development of outreach materials including fact sheets, project brochures, newsletters, targeted mailers, and producer surveys.
• Coordinate farmer‑to‑farmer education efforts, including producer‑led demonstrations and participation in professional video development.
• Engage with NRCS and partner agencies to align project practices with conservation programs.
• Track outreach metrics, adoption outcomes, and engagement data; compile reports for grant deliverables and partners.
• Maintain accurate project records using BWA’s project management and landowner database systems.
• Collaborate closely with university researchers, technical service providers, and agency partners to ensure project milestones are met.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Agriculture, Natural Resources, Crop and/or Soil Science, Environmental Science, Biology, or a related field, or equivalent knowledge with at least 3…