Agronomist/Soil Health Specialist

WAUSHARA COUNTY POSITION DESCRIPTION

DEPARTMENT: Land Conservation & Zoning

POSITION TITLE: Agronomist/Soil Health Specialist

FUNCTION:

This is a 3-year grant funded position with opportunity to move into a more permanent role within the County based upon performance and organizational needs. Under the general supervision of the County Conservationist/Deputy Director, the Agronomist/Soil Health Specialist will provide educational programs in subject matter areas relating to dairy, livestock, crop production, and farm business management. Design, delivers, and evaluates research-based agricultural and natural resource educational programming and services aligned with the goals and deliverables outlined in the Fox Wolf Watershed – Climate Smart Agronomy/Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative Farmer-Led Climate Commodities Program Grant. Performs related duties as required.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. The Agronomist/Soil Health Specialist position’s primary programmatic focus will include:

• Crop production and management, including cropping systems, agriculture technology, integrated pest management, alternative crops, soil health, nutrient, and manure management.
• Promotion and evaluation of soil health conservation practices that sequester carbon/reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve water quality, such as cover crops and no-till practices.
• Agricultural economics, agricultural entrepreneurism, farm sustainability, and agricultural risk management.
• Farm financial/business management.
• Dairy production and management.
• Non-dairy livestock production and management.
• Land use and environmental issues and horticulture.

2. Enroll producers and implement Best Management Practices focusing on small and

historically underserved producers.

3. Develop programs to provide information, education, and technical assistance to landowners regarding the use of conservation tillage systems and nutrient management practices.

4. Conduct on-site visits with landowners to determine current cropping practices and provide technical assistance and guidance in adopting conservation and nutrient management practices.

5. Develop cost-share agreements with landowners for nutrient management and other conservation practices. Ensures financial and administrative procedures are completed; maintains cost of agreements, amendments, cost-share calculations, funding/grant proposals, and project and cost certifications.

6. Coordinating and distributing periodic agricultural newsletters, brochures, and flyers utilizing a variety of methods including websites and social media.

7. Responsible for coordinating and administering informational and educational programs/training.

8. Utilizes knowledge of local community and partners to identify needs and deliver relevant programming and services.

9. Provide educational support for local agricultural groups.

10. Deliver program services through farm visits, workshops, pasture walks, facility tours, or other appropriate methods.

11. Maintains a variety of complex electronic and paper records and reports.

12. Work with Fox-Wolf Climate Smart Team to ensure modeling of phosphorus and

sediment reductions utilizing STEPL for all fields that receive cost share payments for

implementing Climate Smart practices is complete.

13. Work with Fox-Wolf Climate Smart Team to ensure modeling of carbon sequestration

utilizing COMET Farm or COMET Planner or similar tool for all fields that receive cost

share payments for implementing Climate Smart practices is complete.

14. Provide whole farm SNAP files to Fox-Wolf Climate Smart Team to run progress

Reports for farmers that receive incentive payments for farm planning and progress

Report meetings (minimum 25 farms)

15. Participate in Progress Report Farm meetings with enrolled farmers and Fox-Wolf

Climate Smart Team.

16. Provide farm planning support for farmers to promote adoption of conservation

practices.

17. Project Staff participate in Basin Agronomy Team trainings/workshops (may coincide

with quarterly project meetings, may be independent of project meetings depending on

topic)

18. Project Staff participate in STEPL, SNAP, COMET Farm, COMET Planner or similar tool

training when offered by the Fox-Wolf Climate Smart Team.

19. Project Staff participate in coordination of regional Farmer Roundtables and Field

Days.

20. Participate in quarterly project meetings and submit quarterly invoice and progress

reports. Provide Agronomy Support to Farmers.

21. Provide farm planning support for farmers to promote adoption of conservation

practices.

22. Maintains through applicable training, a high level of technical knowledge and skills necessary for the effective promotion of the Fox Wolf Climate Smart Agronomy/Edge Dairy Coop Grant.

23. Performs other related duties as assigned by the Land Conservation and Zoning Department Director and County Conservationist/Deputy Director of Land Conservation.

24. Maintains regular and predictable attendance.

25. Promote, get along and work in harmonious relationship with others, including but not limited to outside agencies and county departments.

26. Be able to perform duties, follow policy and procedures independent of direct supervision.

WORKING ELEMENTS:

A. Education, Training and Experience

• Working knowledge of soil and water conservation practices and applicable technical standards associated with these duties.
• Demonstrated ability to apply current soil and water resource management planning methods. A working knowledge of the criteria and technical standards used in applying conservation “Best Management Practices”.
• Possess Bachelors Degree in Natural Resource Management or related field or at minimum an Associate Degree in Natural Resource Management, Agronomy, Soil Science or a related field of study with a minimum of 1 to 2 years of experience in soil and water conservation technical practices or a combination of training and direct experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Possession of a valid Wisconsin driver’s license and access to an automobile is required.
• Ability to be CCA certified within 18 months of hire is desirable.

B. Knowledge, Ability and Skill

• Demonstrate and maintain effective working relationships with landowners, the general public, cooperating agency staff and with civic conservation organizations (such as Lake Associations and Districts, County Watershed Lakes Council, Farm Bureau etc.)
• Demonstrate effective communication both verbally and in writing with a diverse group of people including applicants, County board members, general contractors, and the public
• Thorough working knowledge of soil erosion control principles, proper planting techniques, no-till planter set-up and planter calibration.
• Thorough knowledge of nutrient management. Ability to assist landowners with nutrient management planning, interpret soil test reports, weed identification, cover crop species, planting management and herbicide application regulations.
• Ability to use personal computers and applicable software including, spreadsheet and word processing applications.
• Ability to interpret aerial photography, soils maps, and USGS quadrangles.
• Working knowledge of programs and responsibilities of the County Land & Water Conservation Department; USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service; Wis. Dept. Of Natural Resources; Army Corps of Engineers; and Wis. Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

• There are no supervisory duties associated with this position. Responsible to perform assigned duties and responsible for office equipment, files and inventories.
• Regular attendance is a requirement for this position.

• 50% of the work is outside and exposure to all Wisconsin weather. 50% of the work is in the office with much of that time sitting. Field work is physical in nature including walking, climbing, reaching bending, twisting, kneeling, crouching, stooping, running and lifting not to exceed 50 lbs.
• May have exposure to dust, gasses, odors, and noise requiring protective equipment. May also be exposed to farm animals.
• May work near heavy construction equipment.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $23.47 - $24.94 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Related Work: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)
• Soil Test Certification (Preferred)

Work Location: In person