Soil Health Project Coordinator

Stroud Water Research Center seeks a motivated individual with significant experience in managing and overseeing landowner relationships and communications for soil health practices implementation in a watershed restoration context. Experience with the outreach, coordination, organizing, and implementation of practices related to soil health, including no-till and cover crop systems implementation, as well as other agricultural best management practices is key.

This position will assist senior leadership in the coordination of partnerships, commitments, agreements, and contracts associated with the Stroud Center’s Robin L. Vannote Watershed Restoration Program.

Responsibilities

The Soil Health Project Coordinator will oversee, coordinate, and manage landowner relations and no-till and cover crop implementation on agricultural lands in northern Virginia. This work will be implemented with private funding. As time and opportunity allow, the coordinator will work with partners and agencies to strategically deploy public and private funding to implement soil health improvement, agronomy, agricultural best management practices, and riparian forest buffers in a watershed restoration context on candidate properties in Pennsylvania as well.

Additionally, the Coordinator will

Work with landowners and partners to secure signed landowner contracts for implementing watershed conservation priorities and fulfilling project/grant deliverables.Manage project planning and implementation logistics and details with landowners and other project partners.Travel frequently to northern Virginia to complete the work outlined above. We anticipate 3 to 8 days per month, depending on the season and the number of landowners recruited.Monitor and oversee individual project deliverables (in collaboration with the Director of Watershed Restoration).Assist in creating and delivering soil health and conservation-related education and training opportunities for targeted landowners and farmers in the project area.Assist in training conservation professionals and, to a lesser degree, conservation group members and private landowners in soil health practices implementation and management, as well as the planning and implementation of agricultural best management practices.Work with other team members to manage and adapt the Stroud Center’s Watershed Restoration Program strategies, guidance, and implementation.Coordinate with the Stroud Center’s research scientists and their staff to identify needs and opportunities to use restoration projects as an opportunity to study technical and ecological outcomes and provide insights on enhancing future restoration approaches.Conduct and lead outreach and communications to reach project goals and commitments.Report to the Stroud Center’s Director of Watershed Restoration.

Qualifications

Ideal candidates for the position should possess a Master of Science or higher degree in environmental or agricultural sciences and one or more years of experience overseeing and managing programs related to soil health improvement, agronomy, and agricultural best management practices in a watershed restoration context. Alternatively, candidates should possess a Bachelor of Science degree and three or more years of experience.Applicants must demonstrate a proven record of accomplishment in working with landowners to secure project opportunities and in working with partners to ensure seamless integration of conservation programs.This position will be supported by external grants and contracts. Therefore, preference may be given to applicants who have a robust track record of successful relationships with agricultural and conservation funders.

Salary and Employment

Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. This is a full-time position that includes a comprehensive employee benefit plan. The position is dependent on external funding and is currently funded for three years with the expectation of funding beyond three years being grant-dependent.

Application Procedures

Applications will be reviewed immediately until the application closing date of May 3, 2024. To apply, use the application form found here: https://stroudcenter.org/jobs/soil-health-project-coordinator/ to submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae or résumé, and the names and contact details of three professional references, preferably as a single attachment.