Urban Agriculture Program Leader

Hours, Compensation & Benefits: This is a full‐time (40hrs/week) hourly position with a compensation range of $25‐29 per hour DOE. We offer accrued PTO, and ten paid federal holidays. This is a permanent year‐round position contingent upon adequate grant funding. Opportunities for a hybrid work lifestyle after 3 months based on capacity, training, fieldwork experience, and need.

Travel  Required: Travel is a regular part of this position. You will be required to travel to and from work at our downtown office and for site visits and outreach. Fieldwork is within municipal boundaries. Expect to attend 1-3 annual, district-related, conferences statewide and weekend outreach events once a month. Potential for out-of-state travel DOE.

The amount of screentime for this position waxes and wanes depending on the season. Anticipate the majority of your time during the winter to be cozied up by the light of your computer screen, sprinkled with dashes of professional development and outreach. In the summer, fieldwork takes priority and you will be outside for around half of your time, leaving you with the freedom to schedule your screen-based responsibilities around fieldwork and weather.

About Anchorage Soil & Water Conservation District:

We acknowledge that our district resides on the unceded lands of the Dena’ina Peoples and are grateful for opportunities to engage with and support tribal conservation efforts.  

Anchorage Soil and Water Conservation District (ASWCD) is one of eleven conservation districts in Alaska and is focused on the largest urban area in the state. The Alaska Association of Conservation Districts is ASWCD’s employer of record. 

ASWCD’s mission is: “Helping people care for our forest, land, and water.” We are a flexible and caring organization dedicated to making Anchorage a healthier, more sustainable place to live, work, and play. We lead with curiosity, growth mindsets, transparency, compassionate communication, and respect for all beings and the lands, seas, and skies with which they dwell. ASWCD has a superb staff, a volunteer Board of Supervisors, and Cooperators who are passionately devoted to ensuring our relationship with the natural world is rooted in regenerative, place-based practices and innovations that serve the whole for generations to come. 

Job Overview:

The overarching focus of the Urban Agriculture Program Leader is to sustain and build upon the foundations of the program and its core aspects. These include facilitating Local Work Group Meetings, collaborating with community partners, attending outreach events related to food security and agriculture, writing and submitting grant proposals and reports, running soil test programs, and guiding weekly 4H classes at Alaska Native Cultural Charter School. The ideal candidate for this position lives in Anchorage and is excited to be part of a vibrant network of movers and shakers who are actively creating regenerative food systems that strengthen our communities for the long term. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Collaborate with the District Manager and Urban Agriculture Committee to think strategically about program direction, apply for new funding, and grow the program sustainably.
• Manage the soil testing program and learn how to provide science-based fertilizer recommendations.
• Provide technical assistance to farmers, orchardists, gardeners, and forest landowners.
• Seek, write, and submit grant applications and reports based on analytics.
• Coordinate and facilitate agricultural conservation workshops, in partnership with other agencies and nonprofits, including Anchor Gardens, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services, and the UAF Cooperative Extension Services. May include communication and presentation of conservation topics as requested.
• Foster strong relationships with coworkers, funding agencies and partner organizations, working efficiently to accomplish shared goals.
• Lead elementary, middle, and high school outreach by introducing children through classes to the science of soil health. Communicate with parents, teachers, support staff and the school community.
• Become trained as an NRCS conservation planner, which may include attending training in Palmer, Wasilla, or on the Kenai Peninsula.

Requirements:         

• Authorization to work in the United States is required by the time of application.
• Employment is contingent on a clear background check. Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and a reliable vehicle for travel purposes.
• The physical demands of this job require frequent standing, walking, sitting, speaking and hearing. The employee is regularly required to reach with their hands and arms and occasionally lift items weighing up to 50 lbs.

Required Qualilfications:

• A bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience. Related fields may include but are not limited to: education, natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, parks and recreation management, business administration, leadership and public administration.
• A strong background in education, including experience teaching in classroom settings, tutoring, and/or supporting community advocacy.
• A background in agricultural conservation, including experience with agricultural research experiments, technical assistance to farmers, and mitigating resource concerns.
• Work cooperatively with partner organizations, interface with the public, and represent ASWCD professionally at outreach events.
• You are self-motivated and can independently manage the requirements of the position with minimal oversight.
• Project Management: Knowledge of the principles, methods, or tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing projects and resources, including monitoring and inspecting costs, work, and contractor performance.
• Competency with Windows, Microsoft Excel and Word, and Google Workspace.

Desired Experience/Qualifications:

• Experience using Esri ArcGIS, SPSS, RStudio, and managing large amounts of data.
• Experience with grant and scientific writing.
• Regularly employs critical thinking and personal practices that support a myriad of creative and cooperative approaches to conservation.
• Familiarity with Anchorage’s local conservation efforts and organizations.