Working Lands Program Coordinator

WORKING LANDS PROGRAM COORDINATOR
The Working Lands Program Coordinator reports to the Working Lands Division Manager. This role primarily supports the Compact’s agricultural programming, including the Compact’s River Friendly Farms certification, Grazing School, Terra Firma farm business class series, and other educational and conservation initiatives for farmers. The Working Lands division measures its impact by tracking the number of acres under improved management implementing water conservation best management practices. This is an excellent opportunity for an individual seeking to make a positive impact on rural lands in the Cumberland River Basin.

Schedule:
This full-time, hourly, non-exempt role is primarily a Monday – Friday office-based position. Approximately 40% of time will be spent traveling across the Cumberland River Basin–in the field, visiting farms or mine land reforestation sites, putting on events, or doing other community-based work. Some overnight trips and weekend work will be required.

Responsibilities:

Agriculture (75%)

• Assist in the administration of the Compact’s River Friendly Farms certification program, River Friendly Farms Grazing School and Terra Firma farmers business class series.
• Maintain ongoing farmer education and conservation initiatives.
• Work closely with NRCS partners to advance conservation practices.
• Develop and implement new programming that helps farmers to be better soil and water stewards.
• Work with a broad range of farmer-affiliated organizations, including The Farm Bureau, KY and TN Departments of Agriculture, NRCS, Tennessee Local Food, Soil & Water Conservation Districts, RC&D Councils, and more.

Mine Land Reforestation (25%)

• Visit project sites to determine eligibility and monitor progress of work.

Qualifications:
Required attributes

• Relevant experience and/or education in agriculture.
• Strong desire to work in the sustainability and sciences field.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to develop and maintain professional and collaborative working relationships with all kinds of people.
• Results oriented: success will lie in meeting goals of stream miles restored, farms certified as River Friendly, number of farmers educated, etc.
• Well-organized and resourceful, with the ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks, assignments, and priorities.
• Strong team player with the ability to work independently and remotely.

Desired attributes

• Event planning experience or similar logistical management experience.
• Experience with forestry.
• Spent significant time in rural southern communities.
• Current drivers license and personal vehicle.
• Ability to travel up to 40% of time within the Cumberland River basin.
• Proficiency in G Suites.
• GIS experience.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of driving or sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to work independently in variable, sometimes difficult weather conditions in remote outdoor locations for longer periods of time, including long drives and walking rugged terrain.

Benefits

• Program coordinator positions at Cumberland River Compact start at $20/hour.
• Full benefits package including medical, dental vision, short and long term disability, off-job accident, critical illness, life and AD&D options, and paid family leave.
• 12 days of accrued earned time off per year
• 5 days of sick leave per year
• 10 designated paid holidays per year
• 401(k) with employer match
• Annual cost of living increase and potential for up to 8% annual bonus