Title:  Statewide Local Working Group Coordinator & Farm Bill Program Assistant

Employer:  Massachusetts Association of Conservation Districts
Employment Status:  Full-time, Salary, Exempt 
Salary Range:  $44,700 - $55,300/yr, based on education and experience
Hours:  40 hours/week, Mon-Fri, 8:00am-4:30pm
Location:  Westford or Holden NRCS Field Offices 
Posting Date:  July 1, 2024        Closing Date:  when filled

Position:  This is an innovative hybrid position responsible for supporting key Farm Bill programs offered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Massachusetts. This MACD staff member will develop and coordinate the NRCS Local Working Group meeting by working with agricultural producers and Conservation Districts throughout the state. In addition, this position will serve as a Program Assistant helping to process applications to NRCS conservation programs and performing assorted technical duties related to the Farm Bill workload.

Description:  Local Working Groups are composed of agricultural producers, owners/operators of nonindustrial private forest land, professionals representing agricultural and natural resource interests, and individuals representing a variety of disciplines in the soil, water, wetland, plant, forestry, and wildlife sciences who are familiar with agricultural and natural resource issues in the local community. The Statewide Local Working Group meeting in Massachusetts yields recommendations related to local natural resource priorities and criteria for conservation activities and programs. Those recommendations are provided to MA NRCS so the agency can  tailor aspects of their programs to meet local needs.

Program Assistants are responsible for coordinating with customers, Conservation Planners, and the NRCS State Office to process and track conservation program applications and payments, along with multiple related tasks outlined below. This particular position will also have opportunities to perform technical tasks such as creating maps, inputting contract project information into NRCS planning and assessment software, and using dedicated NRCS software tools.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Statewide Local Working Group Coordinator:

Conduct the following tasks with direction and supervision provided by the MACD Executive Director:

• Promote the Statewide Local Working Group (SLWG) in an effort to increase participation of agricultural producers.
• Develop the agenda, format, and timing of the Statewide Local Working Group meeting in coordination with NRCS.
• Organize and engage members of the local Conservation Districts in the Statewide Local Working Group meeting. This SLWG meeting must be conducted in coordination with the active Conservation Districts across the state, local NRCS District Conservationists, and agricultural producers from all counties, including those that do not currently have an active Conservation District.
• Host and create summary reports from the annual Statewide Local Working Group meeting, which represents all agricultural and other conservation sectors from all counties in Massachusetts.
• Host or attend other meetings to conduct and track individual outreach efforts in preparation for the Statewide Local Working Group meeting. This includes activities that go into building the invite list and coordinating with local Conservation Districts and NRCS Field Offices, while aiming to identify the needs of farmers in urban and rural areas alike. SLWG participants may include agricultural producers, owners/operators of nonindustrial private forest land, professionals representing agricultural and natural resource interests, and individuals representing a variety of disciplines in the soil, water, wetland, plant, forestry, and wildlife sciences who are familiar with agricultural and natural resource issues in the local community.
• Make special effort to connect with Historically Underserved populations (Socially Disadvantaged Farmers, Beginning Farmers, Limited Resource Farmers), Veteran Farmers, and underrepresented sectors such as urban agriculture. NRCS wants to understand barriers to its programs as well as specific needs that current programs do not meet and areas the agency may be able to address in the future.

Program Assistant:

Conduct the following tasks with technical direction and direct supervision provided by the District Conservationist and oversight by MACD Executive Director:

• Responsible for coordinating with customers, Conservation Planners, and NRCS State Office to process and track Conservation Program payments, modifications, vendor changes, and contract QAR Review prior to District Conservationist approval. Troubleshoot any problems that may arise.
• Assist Field Office staff with contacting program applicants to document program eligibility; enter applications into ProTracts, monitor eligibility requirements and contract management deadlines.
• Provide program information and follow-up to customers who request NRCS assistance; maintain mailing and contact lists for program delivery.
• Assist with meeting notices, letters, printing, copying, mailings, etc. for program delivery.
• Attend program-related meetings to gather data and record information.
• Maintain office filing system, including active and completed contracts, bulletins, memos, announcements, etc.
• Monitor status of office supplies in Field Offices to order supplies as needed.
• Maintain monthly Government vehicle usage reports.
• Maintain records of work accomplished for reports on Farm Bill and Department of Agricultural Resources programs.
• Assist with public outreach for marketing Farm Bill and Department of Agricultural Resources programs, such as displays, field days, public events, and articles for news media contacts.
• Perform other program-related duties and activities, as assigned. For example, assist with data collection and documentation to support Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) monitoring.
• Perform some light technical duties related to Farm Bill workload including, but not limited to, creating maps, inputting simple contract project information into NRCS planning and assessment software, and using NRCS tools such as CD, CART, ArcPro, ProTracts, and RUSLE II.
• Help ensure that programs and services are carried out without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. Maintain a positive regard for civil rights in all interactions with clients and others.
• Other program-related duties and activities as assigned.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred, including relevant background education (e.g., agriculture, ecology, forestry, soils, wetlands, environmental science)
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in conservation-related activities, including outreach and technical assistance
• General knowledge of State and Federal agricultural conservation programs
• Must be comfortable interacting directly with farmers and other landowners
• Familiarity with farming or working with farmers preferred
• Strong communication skills, verbal and written
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to work well with others, individually and in groups
• Excellent customer service skills
• Highly organized and detail-oriented
• Self-motivated with ability to set priorities and manage multiple tasks under minimal supervision
• Skilled in administrative tasks
• Experience with maintaining filing systems, tracking equipment, ordering office supplies, operating digital postage systems
• Ability to use Adobe Acrobat to create and design forms, letters, and templates
• Experience with common search engines (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge)
• Computer competency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams
• Experience utilizing GIS systems preferred
• Ability to learn new programs quickly and independently
• Possess a valid driver’s license