Soil Health Specialist​/Agricultural Educator

Summary

Under general supervision of the Conservationist, provide educational programs in subject matter areas relating to dairy, livestock, crop production, farm business management, and rural leadership development. Designs, delivers, and evaluates research-based agricultural and natural resource educational programming and services aligned with identified primary programmatic focus areas. Performs related duties as required.

• Crop production and management, including cropping systems, agriculture technology, integrated pest management, alternative crops, soil health, nutrient, and manure management.
• Promotion and evaluation of soil health conservation practices that sequester carbon/reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve water quality, such as cover crops and no‑till practices.
• Agricultural economics, agricultural entrepreneurism, farm sustainability, and agricultural risk management.
• Farm financial/business management.
• Dairy production and management.
• Non‑dairy livestock production and management.
• Land use and environmental issues.
• Horticulture, tree and plant disease.

Develop programs to provide information, education, and technical assistance to landowners regarding the use of conservation tillage systems and nutrient management practices.

Conduct on‑site visits with landowners to determine current cropping practices and provide technical assistance and guidance in adopting conservation and nutrient management practices.

• Develop cost‑share agreements with landowners for nutrient management and other conservation practices. Ensure financial and administrative procedures are completed; maintain cost of agreements, amendments, cost‑share calculations, funding/grant proposals, and project and cost certifications.
• Coordinate and distribute periodic agricultural newsletters, brochures, and flyers utilizing a variety of methods including websites and social media.
• Coordinate and administer informational and educational programs/training.
• Utilize knowledge of local community and partners to identify needs and deliver relevant programming and services.
• Evaluate and report on programming effectiveness.
• Provide educational support for local agricultural, gardening, and conservation groups.
• Develop and assist agricultural and conservation groups with on‑farm environmental and agronomic research.
• Deliver program services through farm visits, workshops, pasture walks, facility tours, or other appropriate methods.
• Create a work plan that identifies local audiences and describes primary programmatic focus needs and steps that will be implemented to address those focus needs.
• Maintain a variety of complex electronic and paper records and reports.

It is unlikely an employee will perform all the duties listed, nor is the list exhaustive in the sense it covers all the duties an employee may be required to perform. The examples are merely indicative, not restrictive.

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

• Education and/or
  
  Experience:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, agriculture education, agronomy, soil science, animal science, dairy science, natural resources, or related field; master’s degree preferred. One (1) to two (2) years related technical work experience in natural resources, conservation, or agriculture or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Language
  
  Skills:
  
  Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical data and information, professional journals, technical procedures, governmental regulations, and maps. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing; and effectively present information, and respond to questions from department personnel, employees of the County, landowners, local government officials, and the general public. Ability to communicate effectively using a variety of methods and technology. Ability to assemble, copy, record, and transcribe data and information.

• Mathematical:
  Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Ability to…