Project Coordinator (Agricultural Enhancement)

BACKGROUND:

The Humboldt County Resource Conservation District (HCRCD) is a Special District established through the County by popular vote in 1987. The HCRCD is a highly collaborative and dynamic organization; its interdisciplinary team of employees plan for and implement a range of watershed restoration, forest health and wildfire resilience, and agricultural programs and projects. HCRCD has a close working relationship with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Eureka Field Office and private landowners to implement climate-smart agriculture and landscape‐scale watershed restoration and forest health and wildfire prevention projects and programs. The HCRCD is funded primarily by grants and contracts. 

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Agricultural Enhancement Project Coordinator will work with landowners and land managers in the dairy, range and row crop industries to promote climate resilience, drought resilience, soil health conservation, and native habitat restoration. The Project Coordinator will work collaboratively with HCRCD staff, partner organizations, agency staff, consultants, and landowners. Specific position activities will vary depending on the funding source and contract requirements, but essential duties include a combination of technical plan development, technical trainings, fieldwork, technical assistance to NRCS Eureka Field Office, and partner coordination. The position is full-time, hourly working under the supervision of the Program Manager.

The main HCRCD office is located in Eureka with a satellite office in McKinleyville. The Project Coordinator may work out of either or both offices, depending on staffing and project requirements. The Project Coordinator also works in a variety of field locations and private properties throughout Humboldt County and in other offices and locations as needed such as the local Eureka NRCS Field Office.

The full job announcement can be found here: https://humboldtrcd.org/about/employment-opportunities/.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works cooperatively and respectfully with HCRCD staff, landowners, contractors, and agency personnel to plan for, implement, and monitor soil conservation, habitat enhancement, and water resource projects
• Develops agricultural plans, including Conservation and Carbon Farm Plans, Soil Health Management System Plans, and others
• Actively engages in the North Coast Soil Hub (soilhub.org)
• Provides technical assistance to landowners and land managers through NRCS Eureka Field Office
• Conducts soil sampling and testing of water, forage, and other substances as required and in conformance with established testing protocols; conduct additional fieldwork and monitoring as required
• Plans education and outreach events, including workshops (virtual and in person)
• Assists local farmers and ranchers in applying for funding to implement conservation practices through NRCS and CDFA programs, and others as applicable
• Performs a wide range of professional and administrative duties associated with grant management in coordination with Program Manager
• Uses GPS and ArcGIS to generate project-site maps and use published soil surveys and other resources for data required in projects and agricultural plan development
• Generates content and posts regularly to social media sites, updates the website, develops e-newsletters, and generally supports other outreach tasks for the organization
• Participates in technical advisory groups on soil health and agriculture projects
• Understands, interprets, applies and explains technical guidance documents, rules, regulations, policies and procedures, as needed.
• Assists with preparation of reports on project activities for HCRCD staff and federal, state and local agencies, and others as appropriate.
• Works with the NRCS conservation and planning staff as needed for project planning, development, and implementation.
• Assists with grant applications.
• Establishes and maintains complete project files including correspondence, reports, data, etc. to comply with HCRCD systems and program audit requirements.
• Exercises good judgment and maintain confidentiality in all communications.
• Attends trainings or other meetings as required or directed.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher with focus on environmental studies, agronomy, natural sciences, resource management, watershed science, conservation planning, or related field.
• Three or more years professional experience; advanced education beyond a Bachelor’s degree may be considered as additional work experience.
• Knowledge of and technical expertise in:
  • principles and methods of natural resources, rangeland or forest ecology or management, watershed restoration, agronomy and related fields;
  • techniques and equipment to conduct resource inventories;
  • local working landscapes and associated natural resources (e.g. soils, plants, carbon, air, water, fish, forestry, wildlife); and
  • California agricultural production systems, including crops, production methods, and resource concerns, ideally with experience relevant to north coast agricultural products and communities.
• Demonstrated proficiency with ArcGIS; GPS systems; Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and familiarity and experience with a variety of office machines and equipment including computer and printer, calculator, fax, copier and other equipment as assigned.
• Experience and familiarity with field monitoring protocols.
• Excellent communication skills including speaking, listening, and writing. Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain cooperative, respectful, and effective working relationships with people with diverse interests and temperaments.
• Highly organized and motivated self-starter with the ability to prioritize and work independently as well as part of a team.
• Physically able to work in the field (hiking across farms and rangeland, lifting, carrying supplies and equipment, planting, etcetera) during all seasons.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and maintain confidentiality in all communications.
• Ability to drive off‐road vehicles.
• Ability to pass a federal background check.
• Valid California driver’s license, clean driving record, and current auto insurance.

Desired Qualifications:

• Conservation and/or agricultural planning experience.
• Knowledge of local flora and fauna and/or soils.
• Familiarity with local, state, and federal permits required for resource conservation and restoration projects.
• Experience working with other conservation groups and/or agricultural land managers.
• Experience with grant writing.
• Experience writing technical reports.

SALARY, HOURS, AND COMMENCEMENT OF WORK:

Final compensation will be commensurate with applicable experience, between $26 – 30.87 to start. This is a full-time, hourly position and expected to be up to 40 hours/week with some flexibility possible in the work schedule. Benefits package includes health plan and generous PTO and Sick Leave. Position is subject to a 3‐month introductory period.

The HCRCD is an equal opportunity employer.

Please see the full job announcement at https://humboldtrcd.org/about/employment-opportunities/.