Must reside in MI. Travel 20% throughout the lower pennisula, with one day in office per month.
Who We Are
The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor .
One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”
What We Can Achieve Together
The Specialist will support The Nature Conservancy’s efforts to influence local commodity supply chains and farmers to make strides toward long term agricultural conservation adoption in Michigan. The Specialist’s programming areas have been strategically designed as pathways for gaining progress toward The Nature Conservancy’s long-term conservation adoption goals. The Conservancy will rely on this person to demonstrate the effective and sustainable nature of supply chain-driven farmer incentive models, help facilitate stronger farmer peer networks throughout the watershed, and add technical capacity in agronomy, data analysis and modeling, agricultural finance mechanisms or policy to our team.
The Conservancy Has Worked With Agricultural Partners In Michigan’s Saginaw Bay Watershed For Over Ten Years To Enhance On-farm Conservation Outcomes And Improve Water Quality. We Do This By Co-developing With Partners And Landowners On New Conservation Practices, Conservation Delivery Mechanisms And Conservation Learning Opportunities. The Specialist Will Advance TNC’s Agricultural Supply Chain Work And Our Farmer Engagement Program. This Position Will
Serve as programmatic lead for planning and implementing supply chain-based farmer sustainability programs across Michigan-based grain and row crop industries.
Provide technical assistance to Michigan farmers as needed re: adoption of new regenerative practices.
Generally, support and empower farmers to lead change via facilitation of peer-to-peer farmer learning groups and other means of influence.
WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU
This position will contribute technical support and assistance to Michigan TNC’s Regenerative Agriculture strategy, including planning and implementing new sustainable agriculture (ag) program work streams. This position entails a unique set of responsibilities, including building and stewarding strategic partnerships, working within budget to complete projects, and delivering regenerative ag programing at multiple levels within Michigan’s agricultural supply chain.
The position requires an experienced collaborator willing and able to strategize, influence and thoughtfully deliver regenerative ag initiatives to Michigan’s private agricultural sector. They will help foster community and stakeholder support through effective engagement and communication, manage their time to coordinate tasks across multiple projects, effectively collaborate as part of a larger team, help adaptively manage ongoing programs toward greater success, set deadlines and manage tasks to completion. This is a two-year position with a possibility of extension.
Responsibilities & Scope
Performs field work with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context.
Works collaboratively with farmers and external agricultural supply chain partners- specifically local grain merchandizers, processors, and cooperatives, as well as with internal technical, administrative, and professional staff with responsibility for performance management, training, and development.
Employee may be asked to work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, and with a diversity of stakeholders with varying and sometimes demanding schedules. The employee will generally be responsible for maintaining professional customer service under a suite of demanding circumstances.
What You'll Bring
BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in agricultural or natural resource management or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience working with the Michigan agribusiness sector.
Experience working with non-industrial private landowners.
Relationship building experience to work closely with a variety of partners, (e.g., farmers, agribusiness, academia, governmental, internal scientists.)
Experience negotiating.
Experience completing tasks independently with respect to a timeline.
Experience with communication via written, spoken and graphical means in English and/or other relevant languages.
Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, etc.
Experienced in field work and data collection.
Bonus
Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
Ability to obtain, professional Crop Advisor or agronomy certification.
Familiarity with principles of commodity production systems and commodity markets.
What We Bring
Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!
TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.
AUTO SAFETY POLICY
This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program.
Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.
Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.
SALARY INFORMATION
The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $62,000 - $67,000 for annual base salary. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate’s actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed during the recruitment.
APPLY NOW
To apply for job ID 55159, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ . Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact applyhelp@tnc.org .
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.
Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!
TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.
Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.
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