Sustainability Field Specialist

Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.
Description

Multiple locations will be considered, with a preference for New York, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Wisconsin or Michigan

General Purpose:

To support our growing Sustainability work, we are looking for experienced Sustainability Field Specialist(s) to join our Sustainability team. The Sustainability Field Specialists are responsible for working directly with DFA members and regional staff to advance on-farm sustainability initiatives and manage regional program implementation with a focus on greenhouse gas reduction, soil health, water quality, renewable energy, workforce development, and environmental reporting. In addition, the candidate will help identify grant and cost-share funding opportunities to help incentivize farm participation.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct environmental data evaluations and advise/consult with farms on interpreting results for their local context
• Scout renewable energy potentials for solar, wind, and anaerobic digesters and help support project development activities
• Share information with farms on greenhouse gas mitigation activities and other environmental improvement opportunities that will maximize carbon credit generation, agronomic productivity, and overall farm profitability
• Conduct workforce development evaluations and provide members with tools, resources, and trainings to advance worker health and safety,
• Identify farms for regenerative agriculture program adoption and assist with data collection including farm demographic data, soil samples, etc.
• Communicate grant and cost-share funding opportunities to members made available from customer collaborations and/or governmental programs
• Manage on-farm sustainability project implementation across assigned geographies
• The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required.Other duties may be assigned as required

Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sustainability, Environmental Resource Management, Agronomy/Soil Science, Animal Science, or a field appropriate to the area of assignment AND three (3) years of related experience; OR, Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved
• Food and beverage supply chain experience is preferred; dairy experience is a plus
• Proven experience in compiling reports, metrics tracking and analysis, and communications
• Strong knowledge of current sustainability industry initiatives, terminology, trends, and tools

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to clearly communicate detailed information in non-technical language
• Demonstrated experience related to agriculture, soil science, animal agriculture, environmental sustainability, or related discipline(s)
• Strong problem-solving skill set and a continuous improvement mindset
• Strong and demonstrated project management skills pertaining to sustainability data measurement, reporting, and communications
• Good understanding of regenerative agriculture practices, renewable energy generation, workforce development principles, and farm-level economics
• Knowledge of consumer and marketplace trends driving interest in sustainable agriculture
• Exceptional writing and analytical skills
• Ability to work independently
• Must be able to read, write and speak English

Travel:

75%-100% (3+ weeks per month)

An Equal Opportunity Employer