Soil Health Specialist (Remote)

About the role

The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) is seeking a full-time, exempt Soil Health Specialist to work remotely from home within the row-crop region of Minnesota. The position is open-ended and will remain open until filled.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized technical assistance to farmers on best management practices for adopting and scaling cover crops within their unique operation.
• Help promote and enroll farmers into the Farmers for Soil Health cost-share program (administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation).
• Make recommendations on cover crop species, establishment methods and termination strategies.
• Conduct outreach efforts to raise awareness about the program and provide assistance with any reporting and verification aspects.
• Work closely with the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and other partners to maximize program awareness, referral opportunities and harness the value of a partnership-driven approach.
• Support farmers during the eligibility determination, enrollment, data entry, and measurement, reporting, and verification tasks using the Farmers for Soil Health online platform.
• Direct the CTIC Cover Crop Coaches in Minnesota for additional farmer-to-farmer technical assistance including supporting field day planning and execution.
• Provide communications and marketing recommendations to CTIC and partners for reaching new farmers and providing visibility for success stories.
• Advise farmers about Marketplace Platform to connect to buyers of commodities and opportunities for premiums and incentives.
• Become knowledgeable and provide referrals to other conservation programs and opportunities to support individual farmer-driven goals.
• Participate in cover crop training and technical assistance opportunities through the FSH lead education organizations (Soil Health Institute and University of Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture).
• Prepare stakeholder reports and accomplishment tracking.
• Receive additional training to stay on leading-edge of cover crop strategies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in agronomy, soil science, environmental/natural resources or other agriculture related fields.
• Minimum of three years of experience working in agronomy, soils or conservation.
• Past outreach and/or sales experience is beneficial.
• Established and impeccable track-record of project management, developing solid relationships and working with farmers and trusted advisors.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to use personal vehicle for travel (with mileage reimbursement).

Qualifications

• Proven knowledge of corn, soybean and other cropping systems and how cover crops can be successfully incorporated to complement the cash crop system.
• Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) certification is preferred.
• Farm background and use of social media for work-related objectives.
• Ability to work statewide is required. Very limited, but occasional travel may be in other states for trainings and collaboration with colleagues.

Benefits

• 13 paid holidays, vacation (3 weeks earned by 1 year anniversary), sick time;
• life insurance;
• short and long-term disability;
• health reimbursement account or medical insurance (100% for employee);
• SIMPLE IRA (up to 3% match);
• cell phone stipend ($60/month).

Pay

$60,000 to $70,000, commensurate with required experience and education.

Schedule

This position will be remote work from home within the row-crop region of Minnesota. As a remote employee, you are responsible for setting and maintaining your schedule. Requires some overnight travel, a majority of which will be within your home state. Reimbursement at the current GSA rate for use of personal vehicle will be provided. Ability to work statewide is required. Very limited, but occasional travel may be in other states for trainings and collaboration with colleagues.