Northwest Zone Agricultural Program Specialist

Position Description: Lamoille County Natural Resources Conservation District (Lamoille County NRCD) seeks a full time Northwest Zone Agricultural Program Specialist. This role involves outreach to farms in Lamoille, Franklin, and Grand Isle counties (the Northwest Zone) to offer technical assistance and connect the agricultural community with funding opportunities through United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) programs. Starting hourly range $21- $23/hr. Fulltime, non-exempt.

In 2024, the Northwest Zone piloted a Local Funding Pool, an allocation of federal funds to support agricultural producers in the northwest region of Vermont through financial and technical assistance to implement best management practices that improve soil health, water quality, and other natural resources. Lamoille, Franklin, and Grand Isle County NRCDs and the USDA-NRCS plan to grow that pool and increase the allocation of funds to producers in our region to implement much needed agricultural practices in compliance with the state’s Required Agricultural Practices.

The Northwest Zone Agricultural Program Specialist will manage new and ongoing projects. Duties include project development, conservation implementation, public education and outreach and partner networking. This position will also be trained to at least a Conservation Planner 1 level under the NRCS training program, in consultation with the NW Zone District Conservationist, to support producers participating in the Local Funding Pool for the Northwest Region.

The specialist will support the three NRCDs, with direct oversight and funding from Lamoille County NRCD, but coordination is expected with Grand Isle and Franklin County NRCDs when working in those regions. 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. 

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.