Conservation Agronomist

Essential Functions

Serve as a conservation and agronomy technical specialist providing technical assistance to farmers customers/members, landowners, and NEW Coop Agronomists for designated projects across Iowa, including: Identification of appropriate in-field and edge-of-field agronomy and conservation practices for soil and water resource management practices and systems to address resource concerns, farmer/landowner goals, and watershed project goals.

• Execution of on-farm research, including collection of data and management information
• Monitoring agronomic and conservation practice performance for continual improvement
• Connecting farmers and landowners with financial assistance and securing necessary technical design standards for practice application
• Build relationships and assist with watershed project development and coordination, serving as a technical agronomy and conservation liaison between watershed coordinators and NEW Cooperative across the state
• Build relationships and coordinate projects with project sponsors and a variety of audiences in the NEW Cooperative territory including farmers, landowners, NEW Coop Agronomists, USDA Service Center personnel, local partners, and other commodity organizations
• Participate in NEW Cooperative Agronomy meetings, trainings, events, and field days
• Prepare work plans, budgets, quarterly and annual reports, and support grant development.
• Coordinate with other NEW Cooperative departments and staff including agronomy sales and operations

Basic Qualifications:

• Practical understanding and application of agronomy and environmental science
• Strong understanding of: agricultural industry and the ag retail system, cropping systems, conservation delivery systems, promotion of conservation practices
• Must have an acceptable driving record and be insurable to drive.

• Capable of working in a team environment while working independently to achieve specific project deliverables.

• Ability to work remotely and from affiliated office locations.

• Understanding of computer technologies including Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, data storage, statistical software, GIS, and monitoring equipment interfaces.

• Ability to effectively prioritize and organize workload and time
• Understand the importance of providing very high levels of customer service.
• Must be able to interact and effectively communicate with customers and individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Act as a champion for change.

Job Performance Skills: 

Accountability

Accepts personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of the work.  Acknowledges and corrects mistakes.  Do not make excuses or blame others for errors or problems.  Carries a fair share of the workload.  Shows up for meetings on time, fully prepared.  Works on tasks in order of importance. Realistically estimates time requirements. Makes up a schedule for jobs and sticks to it. Does work in order of importance; does first things first.

Customer Focus

Knows customers and can describe their expectations. Manages customer expectations. Meets all of the expectations of both internal and external customers. Respects customers’ and colleagues’ time in scheduling and conducting meetings.  Gains customers’ trust and respect. Actively seeks customers’ feedback on the quality of services provided.  Quickly solves customer problems.

Learning and Continuous Improvement

Actively acquires new skills and competencies. Shares knowledge, skills, tools, and methods with others to help them solve problems and improve performance.  Treats negative feedback and experiences as learning opportunities.  Seeks information and ideas from many places.  Look for better ways to perform routine parts of the job.  Open to suggestions and new ideas.

Relationship Building

Builds and maintains a network of contacts useful in achieving work-related goals.  Extends and accepts invitations from others to build effective working relationships. Skilled in building rapport with a wide variety of individuals.  Understands the balance between taking time to build rapport and getting the work done.  Sensitive to what people around them are feeling.  Promotes the contributions and accomplishments of customers or clients to others.  Enthusiastic about others’ ideas.

Teamwork/ Team Player

Fulfills commitments to other team members.  Puts team success ahead of individual success.  Do not take the credit for others’ work.  Works comfortably with all team members.  Takes charge when it is necessary to facilitate an action or decision.  Volunteers to help others with projects or assignments.  Gives and welcomes feedback.  Expresses disagreement constructively.  Listens to and responds constructively to all team members.  Balances team and individual responsibilities.