Agriculture and Environment Projects Manager – American Farmland Trust (Seattle, WA)

1335 N. Northlake Way, Ste 101, Seattle, WA 98103

www.farmland.org

Job Description

Agriculture and Environment Projects Manager

Organization: American Farmland Trust, Pacific Northwest Region

Reports to: Pacific Northwest Regional Director

Available Date: Immediate

Hours and Salary: Full time, salary DOQ with a benefit stipend

OVERVIEW

The mission of American Farmland Trust (AFT) is Saving the Land That Sustains Us by protecting working farms and ranches, promoting environmentally sustainable farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land. The Agriculture and Environment Projects Manager for AFT’s Northwest office is responsible for developing, managing, and working on projects to advance environmental restoration on farms and ranches in the Pacific Northwest Region, which includes the states of Washington, Oregon and Idaho. The Manager reports to the Pacific Northwest Regional Director.

Responsibilities include:

• Devising and implementing strategies for increasing the voluntary adoption of conservation projects and practices by farmers and ranchers;

• Awarding grants through the Pioneers in Conservation program to provide farmers and ranchers with direct payments for conservation projects;

• Evaluating the most cost-effective direct payment options for promoting conservation projects;

• Developing methods to assess the potential for supplying environmental credits from farmers and ranchers;

• Building an inventory of potential environmental credits from farms and ranches in the region;

• Serving as the spokesperson for AFT’s work on conservation incentives and markets in the Pacific Northwest.

MAJOR DUTIES:

Management and Field activities:

• Manage the Pioneers in Conservation grant program and the environmental markets program in the region;

• Supervise up to three interns and support staff assigned to these programs;

• Provide program support to other regional projects on an as needed basis;

• Create and maintain strong relationships with key leaders in agriculture, environmental, conservation, research, and government agencies; and

• Make public presentations to groups and organizations. Public policy & lobbying:

• Advocate and lobby for conservation incentives and markets on an as-needed basis; and

• Help develop and maintain relationships with key officials, track legislation, monitor regulations, provide public testimony to advance policy action consistent with AFT’s mission.

Fundraising:

• Identify potential funding sources and develop proposals for Pioneers in Conservation and environmental markets projects; and

• Provide complete and timely reports to funders and other stakeholders as needed.

Marketing and Communications:

• Assist regional director to cultivate local media and opportunities to enhance the visibility of AFT; and

• Implement communications plans to disseminate the results of projects to target audiences.

Financial:

• Manage project budgets to ensure that projects are completed on time and within their budgets; (core financial planning, budgeting, management, and accounting are provided by the AFT National Office with monthly status reports provided on all activities and  rojects).

PERSONAL SKILLS REQUIRED

• Ability to conduct secondary research, analyze data and write clear and compelling reports;

• Excellent writing skills;

• Ability to deliver effective public presentations;

• Strong interpersonal communication skills;

• Basic computer skills;

• Ability to work independently;

• Highly developed project management skills;

• Attention to details and deadlines; and

• Good judgment, discretion, and ability to maintain confidentiality.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to the position, Master’s degree preferred

• 4+ years background in a related field, with special emphasis in:

§ Agriculture: Extensive work experience in or with the agricultural community and

understanding of the concerns and perspectives of agricultural producers, particularly as they relate to conservation projects and practices on working farmlands;

§ Environment: Work with environmental issues and knowledge of issues, concerns, and perspectives of the environmental community, particularly as they relate to agriculture;

• Preferred: Knowledge of and direct experience with conservation incentive and environmental market programs, including the Farm Bill incentives. Demonstrated ability to raise funds to support programs. Understanding of legislative processes and how to influence elected officials.

TO APPLY

Please send a current resume and cover letter to Dennis Canty, Pacific Northwest Regional Director, at

1335 N. Northlake Way, Suite 101, Seattle WA 98103 or via an e-mail to dcanty@farmland.org.

Closing date: November 15, 2011.