Texas Gulf Coast Outreach and Education Coordinator
Company: American Farmland Trust
Location: Corpus Christi
Posted on: March 10, 2023
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Job Description:
American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that
takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land
itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the
farmers and ranchers who do the work. Since our founding in 1980,
AFT has helped permanently protect over 6.5 million acres of
agricultural lands, advanced environmentally-sound farming
practices on millions of additional acres, and helped thousands of
farm families make a go of it (primarily through programs that
increase farm viability and/or enhance farmland access). Long a
pioneering leader, AFT is now riding a new wave of growth, driven
by agriculture's most pressing needs and opportunities.
We believe diversity drives innovation. We are inclusive. We
embrace differences. We recognize and respect the fundamental value
and dignity of all our employees. We celebrate the unique
traditions, heritages, and experiences our employees bring to the
workplace. We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive
culture that promotes and values diversity, and where everyone
feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work every
day.
We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees
and applicants for employment without regard to race, color,
religion, sex, sexual orientation, expression or identity, national
origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law
requirements, American Farmland Trust complies with applicable
state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in
every location in which we have facilities. This policy applies to
all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting,
hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall,
transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Job purpose
This position is initially funded through a contract with the
GCERT. Our hope is that following completion of this contract, this
person will be absorbed into a new AFT Texas team that will be
working closely with Texas NRCS and be located in a mutually agreed
upon location. If this happens, the roles and responsibilities of
the position will remain fairly constant, while the geography
covered and tie to a specific watershed will change and most likely
broaden significantly to include a larger part of the state.
This AFT position, located in Robstown, TX (a suburb of Corpus
Christi) reports to AFT's new TX State Director and works closely
with both the TX NRCS resource team leader and Assistant State
Conservationist - Partnerships & Initiatives. This position will
support the Petronila Creek Watershed Nutrient Reduction project
funded by the RESTORE Council in response to the Deepwater Horizon
Gulf Oil spill. The project is focused on driving nutrient
reduction in the Petronila Creek Watershed in Nueces County, TX via
outreach and financial and technical assistance to voluntary
participants to develop and implement conservation practices on
agricultural land that is vulnerable to nutrient and sediment
runoff. The Outreach and Education (O&E) Coordinator takes the
lead in shaping and carrying out strategic outreach and education
efforts on available technical and financial assistance
opportunities in this project area with the goal of driving sign up
and participation in this project and for ginning up interest in
farm and ranchland protection efforts while carrying out these
outreach and education efforts.
Position summary
The Texas Gulf Coast Outreach and Education Coordinator develops
and executes outreach and education strategies, foster
partnerships, develops public education and marketing materials,
supports and promotes on-farm demonstration field days, and builds
and maintains relationships with farmers, ranchers, non-operating
agricultural landowners as well as state and federal agencies,
agricultural service providers, conservation leaders, and others to
develop and implement outreach and education strategies to drive
participation among current and potential customers for the
Petronila Creek Watershed project. This will include a focus on
conducting outreach, delivering educational programming, providing
one-on-one support services, and developing new resources,
trainings, and online tools to support historically underserved and
marginalized farmers and address social, economic, and
environmental challenges. Background project details can be found
at this link .
Duties and responsibilities
Coordinate the outreach component of the Petronila Creek (TX)
Watershed Nutrient Reduction program, including but not limited to
conducting outreach, delivering educational programming, and
developing new resources, trainings, and tools for all farmers,
ranchers and ag landowners including diverse, small-scale,
historically underserved and marginalized farmers.
Strengthen outreach efforts to underrepresented and underserved
communities and serve as a liaison for NRCS and AFT programs to
these communities in the watershed. This includes engaging directly
with farmers, landowners, and relevant partners to build
relationships and understand the needs and opportunities of
historically/currently underserved and socially disadvantaged
farming communities in Petronila Creek Watershed in Nueces County,
Texas to advance the project; and broader geographies after
completion of the Petronila Creek Watershed project contract.
Work with NRCS local technical staff as well as public affairs
staff in the Zone and State offices to develop high quality
compelling outreach and education content including project
marketing materials.
Includes capturing and editing videos, photos, and interviews to
convey project opportunities and impacts and inform the targeted
audiences.
Organizing and coordinating in-person and virtual workshops, radio
broadcasts, and community resource fairs to drive project
participation.
Support project tracking and report-writing activities including
establishing and tracking a full set of outcome measures.
Ability to cultivate and maintain strong relationships, build trust
and work well with a diverse set of players (farmers, ranchers,
landowners, local leaders, partner organizations, subject area
experts, etc.).
Experience performing community outreach and implementing in-field
community-based educational programs including experience
developing and extending socially, culturally, and linguistically
relevant resources and services to farming communities.
Experience working with diverse agricultural communities and
systems and demonstrated understanding of environmental, social,
and economic issues facing different populations of farmers,
farmworkers, and farming communities. Preferred lived experience
and/or cultural competency that enables understanding of a diverse
spectrum of stakeholders.
Professional experience working directly with farmers, ranchers,
and other agricultural and environmental organizations and
stakeholders is strongly preferred as is a working knowledge of
farmer experiences, challenges and needs with working knowledge of
farming and related agricultural issues in Texas. A general
understanding of regenerative agricultural practices, natural
resource management is highly valued.
Ability to work independently without onsite supervision.
Quick learner with high emotional intelligence with the ability to
understand and adapt to diverse and dynamic environments and
situations. In addition, the right candidate will be highly
responsible with a strong sense of ethics; trustworthy, dependable,
and passionate about the missions of both AFT and NRCS.
Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills with exceptional
communicator (written and verbal) and listener among diverse
audiences and communication styles.
A valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation with
the ability to travel within agricultural regions throughout TX but
primarily within the project watershed and occasionally to/from the
NRCS state office in Temple, TX.
Working knowledge of Spanish is advantageous.
Willingness to make a 14 month to multi-year commitment to be
located in the target region.
Education & Experience
Bachelor's degree (ideally in a natural resources, conservation
and/or agriculture field or another relevant field) or sufficient
comparable experience.
Working Conditions
This job operates in a teleworking environment and routinely uses
standard office equipment such as computers, and phones. Work in
the evenings or on weekends will be required to meet with outreach
and education target audiences and meet deadlines. Because of this
there may be some ability to flex work hours.
Travel
Frequent car travel throughout the Petronila Creek Watershed region
of Texas with occasional travel to the state office to conduct
community outreach, put on and attend demonstration events, provide
one to one direct farmer/rancher/landowner support, and host
workshops and program events. This could change over time after
completion of this Petronila Creek Watershed project contract in
which case the region of travel would be likely to shift or expand
while the amount of travel is likely to remain fairly constant
because of the nature of the position.
Why you should apply
Be a part of a purpose-driven, committed, knowledgeable,
high-performing, experienced and fun team
A diverse and inclusive work environment
A cause and mission you can be proud of
Competitive compensation & benefits
Remote work opportunities
Flexible scheduling
Ready to apply? If this job sounds like a fit for you, then click
on the 'apply' button below. Please answer the screener questions
and be sure to include a cover letter and resume to be
considered.
PI205060550
Keywords: American Farmland Trust, Corpus Christi , Texas Gulf Coast Outreach and Education Coordinator, Education / Teaching , Corpus Christi, Texas
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