Grower Outreach and Support Coordinator

TITLE: Grower Outreach and Support Coordinator

POSITION: Salaried, fully remote, travel throughout the Mid-Atlantic may be required. One year position with the potential to renew.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND:

MARSB’s mission is twofold.

1) To conserve and wisely manage the region’s wild seed resources through scientific sampling, ethical collection, and banking and curation to national standards. MARSB’s efforts will increase the availability of genetically appropriate native seed across the Mid-Atlantic to growers and end-users for use in conservation, land management, ecological restoration, and horticulture.

2) To encourage and actively contribute to the development of the Native Plant Material (NPM) supply chain throughout the mid-Atlantic region. The supply chain in the mid-Atlantic, though having existed for over forty years, is significantly underdeveloped and largely informal. MARSB seeks to stimulate the development of a more mature, sustainable supply chain.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Under the direct supervision of and working closely with the Executive Director, this position will serve these key functions–

• Develop and foster relationships with growers and offer technical and other advice in support of sustaining and improving their operations; work to expand the number of commercial producers across the mid-Atlantic; and to significantly increase the number of species and ecoregional NPMs making their way into the marketplace.
• Develop grower resources, particularly an online database of “Essential Protocols and Related Information,” offering production-related information on the thousands of species native to the mid-Atlantic states in an online, searchable database.

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Grower Support
  • Conduct outreach to existing growers; learn their most pressing needs and assist them in resolving those needs by providing technical assistance on the production of both nursery-produced live plants and agronomically increased bulked seed, with the goal of fueling greater success, lower risks and costs, and more sustainable business models.
  • Query growers about their wild seed needs for production; coordinate with MARSB’s seed collection program to see that MARSB’s collections are targeting the actual needs of the supply chain.
  • Conduct educational outreach in the form of field days or other events to demonstrate techniques and best practices; to encourage others in the agricultural sector to consider NPM production as part of their business model.
  • Produce educational and marketing materials online or otherwise in service to producers and potential producers.
  • Present the MARSB concept and model for an Online Marketplace (OM) in service to consumers and producers of NPMs.
    • Seek grower participation in the OM
    • Maintain communication links with growers to ensure production data remains updated and current
• Online Grower Resource Development Develop a schematic model and proposed timeline for an online grower resource database of “Essential Protocols and Related Information”
• Schematically design the database
• On an on-going basis, research and solicit technical production data from growers, organizations, government and academic sources, to continue to populate the database.
• Beta test and then launch the database
• Maintain the database; make critical changes as they arise

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

A successful candidate will possess a combination of core knowledge, interpersonal, strategic, analytic, and technical skills.

MARSB Program Expertise

Ability to learn and effectively communicate MARSB’s comprehensive approach to building a regional supply chain as embodied in its six part program

NPM production experience and expertise

Successful candidate must possess significant experience in NPM production, both in a nursery and agronomic increase settings.

Communication Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills, both written and verbal to effectively engage with growers. Shared empathy with growers and the difficulties of maintaining a thriving business; ability to listen and develop strategies to address pressing grower issues leading to positive outcomes.
• Ability to communicate NPM development and supply chain complexities into clear, compelling messaging and explain the benefits of openly engaging with all sectors to solve problems and expand communications.
• Ability to build strong customer relationships and ensure stakeholders have a positive experience and are likely to continue engagement

Adaptability

• Exhibit flexibility and the ability to pivot strategies depending on stakeholders needs and responses.
• Problem-solve, identify stakeholders impediments to engagement and suggest tailored solutions that result in a positive outcome

Self-Management, Time Management, and Organization

• Manage multiple outreaches, issues, meetings, and deadlines simultaneously and effectively; prioritize to maintain effectiveness and manage stress
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) proficiency; keep stakeholder data organized and up to date; consider use of CRM software to facilitate proficiency

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:

• Familiarity with conservation, biodiversity, land management, restoration ecology, or similar focus areas
• Digital literacy (software; communications tools)
• Master’s degree in one of these areas:
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Agriculture or related fields

TERMS: $78,300 salaried one year position with the potential to renew. Vacation and sick leave.

TO APPLY:

Please email a resume, cover letter, and writing sample/work portfolio with application to Ed Toth, Executive Director, at etoth@marsb.org 

POSTING DATE: July 30, 2025

CLOSING DATE: August 8,2025

PREFERRED START DATE: As soon as possible