Grazing Specialist

DGA Mission:

The Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship, a 501(c)3 organization, provides a guided pathway to dairy farm business ownership, developing grazing careers, and strengthening the economic and environmental well-being of rural communities and the dairy industry, through education, technology, and the proven path of Registered Apprenticeship.

Organization Summary:

Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship (DGA) is a dynamic 501c3 organization that utilizes formal Apprenticeship in partnership with diverse stakeholders to train a new workforce in regenerative agriculture. The two-year National Apprenticeship in Managed-Grazing Dairy Production is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. It combines full time on-farm training under an approved employer/Mentor with related online coursework, business planning services, peer networking, and opportunities for advancement. 

This position leads, manages and implements the managed grazing technical aspects for DGA. This would include leading grazing related precision technology implementation on farms such as PaddockTrac, virtual fence, etc. Specialist would provide on farm pasture management recommendations based upon grazing wedge development from PaddockTrac. This position would lead an effort by DGA to grow and develop technical delivery to grazing based farmers, primarily working dairy farms. In addition, grant application and  reporting would be a function of this position. The Specialist would be part of a diverse, trusting, multi functional project team approach to DGA activities which also fosters an environment of continuous collaboration, teamwork, and cooperation.

The following duties are typical for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-.
inclusive but will be the primary duties. Other duties may be required and assigned. Grazing PaddockTrac Program Management: grazing plan development, on farm technical assistance, information and education activities, grant writing/management/reporting. Understand and have the ability to discuss grazing cost sharing availability through Federal, State and County sources. Lead and incorporate managed grazing and soil health technical activities within the priorities of DGA. Collaborates with co-workers, peers, and policy makers, to strategize and innovate ways to expand managed grazing on dairy farms within Wisconsin as well as the 15 State DGA Network.

Community Engagement:

• Build, engage, and participate with strategic partnerships and multi-disciplinary teams of internal and external stakeholders in managed grazing related efforts to build and enhance the community capacity in achieving goals. This includes but is not limited to the following: USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, UW-Extension, Department of Natural Resources, WI Department of Agriculture, County departments, Pheasants Forever, Trout Unlimited, Audubon Society, Industry partners, as well as various associations, and citizens, to increase the overall support of managed grazing dairy farming.
• Contribute to education efforts of DGA, including newsletters, social media, oneon-one farmer education, online MGIC classes, field events and conferences.
• Contribute to the other program-related teams on DGA staff and work cooperatively with those teams on overall DGA outreach, education and grant-related outcomes and benchmarks.
• Participate in DGA weekly staff meetings, quarterly Board meetings and quarterly in-person staff retreats.

Planning:

• Develop project plans, workflows, and timelines.
• Contribute to project budgets and resource requirements.
• Development of project scopes.

Technical Assistance:

• Develop individual prescribed grazing plans for farmers including forage budgets and management, pasture management, fencing and water system designs.
• Provide one-on-one farm technical assistance to grazing based farmers to ensure success with grazing plan implementation includes utilization of PaddockTrac to produce forage budgets and pasture management recommendations.
• Design and oversee implementation of grazing-related infrastructure, including pasture seeding, recommendations, summer and winter watering systems, animal trails and walkways, nutrient
  management and other related practices, all meeting NRCS technical standards.
• Identify natural resource concerns on farms as well as providing solutions to address concerns.
• Perform related work as necessary.

Project Management:

• Monitor and track workload, work on task prioritization and workload management.
• Track project progress against scope, raising issues to stakeholders when scope, timeline, or budget are at risk.
• Report project progress status to stakeholders and executives.
• Assist with monitoring projects for opportunities for improvement and recommend creative solutions.
• Collaborate with organizational leadership and other DGA staff to ensure effective and efficient program delivery.
• Interface with key external stakeholders, subject matter experts, sponsors, speakers, or partners.

Quality Assurance:

• Complete assigned tasks and work products to meet NRCS reporting requirements.
• Keep accurate records and reports for participating farmers and reporting requirements.

This is not meant to be a complete or comprehensive list as responsibilities may change; other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned at any time.

Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field or equivalent experience in Natural Resource Management, Soil Science, Dairy Grazing, or Agronomy
• 3+ years’ experience in managed grazing related field.
• Experience interacting with and communicating with people within or outside of DGA.
• Familiarity with cloud-based computing systems.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office365 Suite of products.
• Proficient with project management software tools.
• Experience in these areas a plus:
  • Nonprofit associations
  • Managed Grazing systems
  • Federal grant reporting

Competency Requirements:

• Strong analytical and organizational skills
• Creative problem solving and process/project management approaches.
• Proactive project ownership.
• Able to accommodate critical periods of a project timeline.
• Highly effective communicator amongst different audiences & stakeholders.
• Collaborative team member and relationship builder

Essential Work Conditions:

• This job operates in a home office environment.
• Reliable access to the Internet is required.
• Travel up to 50-70% of the time primarily within Wisconsin on a daily basis for farm visits and meetings.
• Physical demands
• Sitting for extended periods of time and involving walking or standing for extended periods of time.
• Use of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and handling of other office equipment.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work.
• Ability to operate motor vehicle, UTV, technical equipment, pull, load and unload equipment from trailer.
• Ability to work in various outdoor weather conditions including hot, cold, rain, snow.

The salary for this position is between $60,000 - $65,000, as part of a total salary/benefits compensation package, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

DGA offers the following benefit package as part of total compensation: 

• Competitive salary
• $650/month healthcare stipend
• 401k with a 3% match after 6 months of employment
• Dental/Vision
• Disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible schedule/Generous PTO

Performance Dimensions:

Quality, accuracy, thoroughness, reliability, and timeliness of work performed. Effectiveness of communications and development of good working relationships. Diligent attention to issues of equity and ethics. Clarity, courtesy, and tact in interpersonal contacts. Maintenance of confidential business information. Professionalism in approach to work: positive attitude, team effort, commitment to personal improvement and doing a good job, loyalty to DGA, honesty and integrity.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work assigned to this position. It does not state or imply that these are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to the job. The employee may be required to perform other jobrelated duties as requested by their manager. All requirements are subject to change over time, and to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.

Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diverse perspectives among our staff. We work to create hiring processes that eliminate barriers to full and fair consideration. Candidates are assessed based on their potential to succeed in contributing to our mission and as a member of our team without regard to race, gender, disability, or other protected class. We encourage diverse candidates to apply.

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