The Water & Agriculture Technician will work with the Water and Agriculture Program team to carry out a three-year project (with potential for renewal) to promote improved irrigation management and other sustainable agriculture initiatives in Central Nebraska. This project will see The Nature Conservancy (TNC), industry, public entities, and producers collaborating to implement technology designed to support decision making and measure the benefits of on-farm water conservation.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Water & Agriculture Technician will assist with implementation, coordination, measurement of best management practices and technology for irrigation scheduling and water use in farm management systems. This includes the following functions:
- Assisting Program Manager and Project Lead in implementation of Central Platte Irrigation Project
- Work with landowners/irrigation managers to set up, use, and when necessary troubleshoot the water management technology
- Providing expert knowledge about cost/benefit of water management
- Coordinating with producers, academics, and industry, agency, and TNC personnel.
- Developing, organizing, and conducting outreach and education events concerning irrigation efficiency and related agricultural sustainable themes
- Coordinating the collection and sharing of data
- Learning and assisting others to use the Field to Market FieldPrint calculator for collection of farming information
- Assisting project team with preparing reports, conducting project outreach, and developing key partnerships
- Working on related water and agriculture projects with program staff and statewide priorities
As part of the Technician’s ongoing professional development, he/she will be responsible for keeping abreast of new agriculture and irrigation techniques and equipment to enhance performance. This position will work closely with the farm community. This position will also work in concert with the Nebraska water management and research communities. In addition, they shall work to build and maintain relationships in the professional statewide water and irrigation community and in the local community where the Conservancy works.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- May lead or monitor work groups consisting of staff, interns, and volunteers covering a wide geographic area.
- Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
- Financial responsibility may include working within a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, assisting with budget development and fundraising targets.
- Networks with diverse groups, including land owners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members and the general public to recruit support for the Conservancy and publicize Conservancy programs/preserves.
- May work under minimal and/or remote supervision; may make some independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- 1 year related experience in natural resource management/ agricultural resource management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience with natural systems.
- Experience in ecological land management principles.
- Experience operating and or repairing various types of equipment and machinery.
- Must have a valid driver's license and good driving record.
DESIRED QUALIFICATION
- Excellent communication skills, multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Knowledge of agronomy, irrigation practices, agroecology and/or agricultural economics
- Managing time and diverse activities under deadlines while delivering quality results.
- Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities.
- Relationship building skills to work closely with a variety of partners, i.e., industry personnel, government officials, academic scientists.
- Knowledge/understanding of current trends and practices in agriculture, conservation, land management and natural resource preservation/conservation or similar field.
- Identifies and disseminates lessons learned, best practices and methods, tools, consistencies and inconsistencies across plans.
- Cultivates and develops creative ideas to improve conservation strategies.
- Resolves routine issues independently, consulting with supervisor to develop plans for resolution of complex and unusual problems
- Compiles data, resolves disparities, and modifies processes to generate plans
- Interprets guidelines, evaluates information and modifies processes to adapt to changing circumstances
- Will need to gain cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program goals
- Provide a variety of information to staff and others, contributing to conservation projects and assisting workflow throughout the organization.
- Ability to simplify and explain the principles of conservation science and practices to technical and non-technical audiences.
This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with the Conservancy'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."