Full-Time Agriculture & Climate Program Manager
Job Description
Supervisor: Executive Director
Location: Remote office, Sacramento / Bay Area preferred.
Who We Are
California’s Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) are important partners to the state in achieving California’s ever-evolving goals to protect, conserve, restore, and enhance natural resources and to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. RCDs are governed by Division 9 of the California Public Resources Code and locally appointed boards of directors. RCDs in California are also essential partners to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS), helping to enroll farmers, ranchers, forest owners in federal Farm Bill programs, leveraging state grant dollars for project implementation and targeted conservation activities and programs. RCDs work closely with the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) through grant agreements to advance conservation within their districts. RCDs also work closely with University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) county offices and other agricultural conservation organizations in organizing workshops, field days, and demonstration projects, along county-level natural resource management planning and program delivery.
The California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD) is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to serving as a strong advocate, technical resource, and partner to the state’s 96 RCDs so that they can be Relevant, Excellent, and Visible “go-to” hubs for conservation in their communities. CARCD builds the network and local impact of RCDs in California, strengthening locally-led conservation and stewardship of natural and agricultural resources.
The Carbon Cycle Institute (CCI) works at the intersection of climate science and agriculture. The organization fills a unique niche among nonprofits by supporting and working with a diverse group of strategic partners, including farmers and ranchers, public agencies, local government, university researchers, and mission- aligned organizations and businesses. CCI’s staff of five provides scientific and technical expertise, planning assistance, training and educational services, policy development, and advocacy work on behalf of its mission and partners.
The Agriculture & Climate Program Manager will primarily support the partnership between CARCD and CCI to help build the capacity of seven (7) RCD Regional Carbon Farming Hubs across California. The Program Manager will work in close partnership with CCI, the ~45 RCDs in the Carbon Farming Network, Chico State University’s Center for Regenerative Agricultural and Resilient Systems (CRARS), California Polytechnic State University’s Center for Sustainability, California Climate & Agriculture Network (CalCAN), The Climate Center, and other agricultural conservation partners to build the regional capacity needed to scale agricultural climate solutions in California.
Position Summary
The Carbon Cycle Institute and California Association of Resource Conservation Districts recognize that the challenges climate change presents to California’s diverse agricultural landscapes, communities, and regional economies requires comprehensive, coordinated, and regionally-appropriate conservation strategies. If we are going to reduce the magnitude of climate change and its ancillary challenges, we need to scale up our efforts. Investing in our local and regional conservation partnerships is an essential step in the overall solution to the climate crisis, the long-term health and resilience of our working lands, and the success and efficacy of the State’s Resource Conservation Districts.
The Program Manager will help accelerate adoption and scaling of carbon farming in California through strategic stakeholder engagement and coordination, education and outreach, regional and statewide needs assessments, fund development, and advancement of public policy. Additionally, CARCD is engaged in grants partnerships with public agencies, RCDs, Universities, and other entities. The successful candidate will work as a part of a team that will leverage these programs so that we may maximize our potential as a Statewide network.
Principal Roles
- Regional Carbon Farming Hub Coordination – The Program Manager, in close partnership with CCI, will oversee and support development of the seven (7) RCD Regional Carbon Farming Hubs across the state.
- Hold annual trainings and monthly work planning meetings with six (6) RCD Hub Regional Coordinators.
- Provide grant writing, partnership development, and other capacity building support to the Greater Bay Area Hub and RCDs waiting to join a Hub.
- Attend RCD Hub and CARCD board meetings throughout the year.
- Help lead a statewide Steering Committee on Agriculture & Climate – Regional Capacity Building centered on the RCD Hubs.
- Ongoing Climate Mitigation Planning & Needs Assessment for Agricultural Lands – The Program Manager will work closely with CCI, Hub RCDs, other agricultural conservation organizations (e.g., NRCS and UCCE), and the agricultural community, to understand the regional potential for carbon sequestration and barriers to adoption of climate-beneficial agricultural conservation practices.
- In partnership with CCI, oversee landscape-scale carbon sequestration assessments for each Regional Hub.
- Routinely check in with Regional Hubs to determine the specific technical and financial needs of each region.
- Oversee development of partnership-based climate mitigation implementation plans for each region.
- Outreach and Technical Support – The Program Manager will facilitate peer-to-peer learning and resource sharing among program partners to support the joint mission of CARCD, CCI, and the Hubs.
- Organize and support education and outreach activities, including workshops, field days, and webinars, for farmers, ranchers, agricultural conservation partners, and other stakeholders.
- Manage statewide media and communications platforms and networks for the Hubs.
- Support Hub-based grant proposal coordination, writing, and execution.
- Build partnerships and coalitions that support agricultural climate solutions by streamlining communication and collaboration among regional and statewide partners, including UC Cooperative Extension, USDA NRCS, agricultural associations, universities, and others.
- Awareness and Advocacy – The Program Manager will work closely with CCI, CARCD, RCDs and policy coalition partners to build understanding about the role of agricultural climate solutions regionally and statewide.
- Build understanding among a variety of stakeholders and policy-makers about the potential for agricultural climate solutions and the technical and financial funding supports needed to implement these solutions.
- Represent RCD Hubs in Natural and Working Lands (NWL), Ag & Climate, and other relevant conservation coalition efforts.
- Organize and attend relevant local, regional, and statewide meetings with elected officials, state and federal agency representatives, agricultural industry groups, RCD and other conservation partners.
- Program Management – The Program Manager will coordinate between RCDs and state/federal/foundation partners, coordinate implementation across multiple RCDs, and work with RCDs and partners to develop new project opportunities that align with the soil hub priorities.
- Coordinate with local RCDs, local and state partners, and CARCD staff
- Administer grants and contracts with state and federal agencies, foundation funders, and RCDs
- Track progress towards deliverables, write reports to funders, and serve as the communications hub between funders and RCDs
- Manage budget and timeline in accordance with contracts
- Secure and implement new contracts and agreements
- Develop resources and educational materials on soil health and conservation agriculture issues for RCD use.
Physical Requirements
Ability to work effectively as a part of a virtual team and to sit for prolonged periods at a computer. Ability to travel throughout the state and to spend full days in the field (on farms and ranches) in varying weather conditions. Requires frequent (25%) travel across the state, and quarterly travel to Sacramento and/or the San Francisco Bay Area, which may include overnight stays.
Skills and Qualifications
This position requires the following skills. If you do not meet the job requirements listed, please tell us why you might be a good fit anyway:
- B.S./B.A., and/or M.S. degree in Soil Science, Biological, Natural or Applied Sciences (e.g. Food/Agriculture Science, Watershed Management, etc.) or equivalent education and experience.
- At least five (5) years’ experience working in the natural resource conservation field, with a minimum of two (2) years’ experience working closely with agricultural communities.
- In-depth knowledge of the intersection of climate science, agriculture, and ecology.
- Demonstrated experience with supporting multi-stakeholder or multi-organization groups, including: group or member facilitation, coordination, co-learning and/or organizing; needs assessments.
- Demonstrated experience building partnership in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors; skilled at conflict resolution and group facilitation.
- A cooperative, professional, and entrepreneurial disposition, with an ability to navigate ambiguity in building new and efficient processes and systems.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; particularly technical and grant writing skills. Provide writing samples upon request.
- Strong communications and project and event (often virtual) management skills.
- Demonstrated skill to communicate with agricultural stakeholders, government agencies, policy makers and elected officials.
- Proficient in analyzing, interpreting, and synthesizing a variety of data.
- Proficiency or fluency in Spanish desired.
- Proficient at using technology (Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, ArcGIS, etc.)
- Valid California driver’s license.
- CARCD is committed to building an amazing and diverse team! If you do not meet the above qualifications but believe you are well suited to this position, we encourage you to apply and include your reasoning in your cover letter.
Salary and Benefits
Salary: $40 per hour which is the equivalent of $83,200 per year plus benefits including 401(k), paid vacation, sick leave and health insurance.
How to Apply
Application Information: Please submit a cover letter and resume to the attention of Mary Scheid at [email protected] with “Statewide Soil Hub Manager & Agriculture Program Manager” in the subject line and a note in the body of the email telling us where you heard about the position. This position will remain open until filled. To be considered with the first round of applications, please submit materials no later than 5:00 PM Pacific Standard Time on June 26. Qualified applicants may be asked to submit additional information during the interview process. CARCD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin genetics, disability age or veteran status.Apply for this Job
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