Agriculture Program Specialist

Statement of General Purpose:

The Agriculture Program Specialist will take the lead in multiple aspects of NWF's sustainable agriculture program. The Specialist will lead the training and education of NWF's Conservation Champions, which is a peer to peer farmer outreach program. This includes conducting an annual training for new champions, providing on-going support, education, and group facilitation, and development of information and messaging to improve their effectiveness at outreach. In addition, this position will also lead in maintaining the team’s listserv and online presence to facilitate ongoing communication with program participants. The Specialist will assist in outreach and trainings for conservation outreach professionals across the country on improving communications to farmers and other stakeholders through the Grow More program. The Specialist will also assist in other tasks related to the sustainable agriculture program including: fundraising, grant writing, developing factsheets, surveys, and other assigned projects.

Background:

Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation has grown into America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state and territorial affiliates and more than seven million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and stripes. The mission of the National Wildlife Federation is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world. We advance this mission through programming focused on conserving wildlife, restoring habitats and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, advancing environmental justice, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.

National Wildlife Federation (NWF)’s Sustainable Agriculture Program works with agricultural communities to break down the culture barriers to adoption of sustainable agriculture practices. The program works from a ground-up approach, directly working with leading farmers and ranchers, as well as conservation outreach professionals. We provide communications and message training to better equip innovators with the skills to reach non-adopters. NWF works with other leading conservation organizations through coalitions and multi-stakeholder partnerships to advance support for sustainable agriculture production, sourcing and financing.

The Specialist will report directly to the Director of Agriculture Outreach, and work in conjunction with the rest of the Sustainable Agriculture team.

In this role you will:

Take the lead in providing training and guidance to NWF Conservation Champions, including development of messaging and communications strategies
Take the lead in managing the NWF listserv, online media for Champions, and increasing program participation and expansion into new regions
Participate in Grow More trainings around the country to increase outreach effectiveness of Conservation Outreach Professionals
Help research issues related to agronomy, soil health, crop insurance and other on-farm experiences to better advise the agriculture team
Attend conferences and events to network and elevate profile of agriculture outreach programs
Communicate and build relationships with farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural stakeholders across the country to stay up to date with challenges and opportunities
Assist in strategic planning of new programmatic objectives and opportunities to increase our program breadth
Write grants and pursue fundraising opportunities for the outreach programs

Qualifications:

Direct, on-farm experience preferred.
At least 3 years of professional or educational experience in agriculture, outreach/education, and/or program implementation in a work or research related environment
Knowledge/experience in working with, or conducting outreach to, agriculture producers and other stakeholders required.
Experience working with historically underserved agricultural communities desirable
Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to translate complex information into easily understood information
Ability to process and utilize social science research and concepts to inform and develop practical, effective programming to advance culture change in the space of agriculture
Demonstrates awareness of group identities and consistently brings a high level of self-awareness and empathy to interactions
Interpersonal communication skills; proactively builds and sustains robust, authentic, productive working relationships with colleagues and community partners across race and other group identities
Ability to multitask and prioritize work
Self-starter, ability to work independently within a team context

NWF Values:

Your actions are expected to reflect the staff values of the National Wildlife Federation: collaboration, mindfulness, empowerment, inclusivity, and mission focus. Your competencies should include:

Being motivated by values of equity and responsibility to those most marginalized.
Consistently bringing a high level of empathy and social skills to work and interpersonal interactions.
Actively seeks feedback, direction, and guidance from all team members and keeps staff informed of decisions that impact them.
Being dedicated to advancing NWF’s internal equity transformation and compelling partners and allies to incorporate equity into their work; and
Passion for and commitment to NWF's mission

Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s required equity competencies at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers ^[1].

Physical Requirements:

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example, using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about the workspace. The position requires mobility, including moving materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet). This position also requires travel, including traveling via car and plane. During travel, requirements include standing for long periods of time, being outside in various weather conditions and carrying up to 25 lbs.

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Please Note:

This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Location and Work Mode:

The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff. This position will have the option of working remotely or in a regional NWF office, to be decided jointly with their supervisor in the final stages of the interview process. For more information on Work Modes, please review the benefits section of our careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers ^[2]

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $60,000 - $70,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

We are proud of our designation by Mogul as a Top 100 Workplace with the Best Benefits, and by Forbes as one of America’s best small employers! We value work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere with flexible scheduling. We want you to be able to integrate work and personal life with attention to your self-care, so that your work schedule is not depleting. We offer benefits so you feel restored and fueled through the day and week.

We offer these supports to help manage your mental, emotional, and physical health:

Paid time off: Vacation that starts off at three weeks accrual based on a full-time schedule, unlimited wellbeing (this time can be used for physical, spiritual, emotional, cultural, religious or financial wellbeing for yourself, a partner, or family member – including pets), and 11 holidays.
We close down for a paid winter break between December 25 to January 1 to recognize end of-year stress, and time for reflection, rejuvenation, and spending time with family.
Up to 16 weeks of fully paid Family and Medical Leave
Low-cost health, dental, and vision insurance options – all outpatient mental health is covered at in-network rates
Therapist available at no cost
Pet insurance and discount perk program
Annual wellbeing allowance

In addition to your salary, we offer the following supports to your personal finances:

Retirement plan with immediate match and vesting
Annual year end retirement contribution
Tuition Reimbursement
Adoption and Surrogacy assistance
Pet adoption stipend
Student Loan management

Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s benefits package at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers ^[3].

Application:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume.

For more information on our recruiting process, please review our Careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers ^[4]

We strive to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all elements of our work and with our partners to support the interdependent needs of wildlife and people in a rapidly changing world. We recruit, employ, train compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at nwf.org/equity ^[5].

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

Please let us know if you require accommodations during the application or interview process by reaching us at hrhelp@nwf.org ^[6] or 703-438-6244.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.