Farm/Ranch Education Coordinator Position in Livermore

 Farm/Ranch Education Coordinator
The Alameda County Resource Conservation District (RCD) 

Livermore, CA

The Alameda County Resource Conservation District (RCD) seeks to fill the part time position of Farm/Ranch Education Coordinator. The RCD is a special district that works to implement and enhance local conservation efforts on private and public lands in Alameda County.  We partner with landowners and managers, local organizations, government agencies and other community and stakeholder groups to enhance and restore natural resources by providing education programs, technical assistance and project management and coordination.  The RCD works in close partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) as the Conservation Partnership.   Please see www.acrcd.org for more information about the Alameda County RCD and NRCS office.

Position:  Farm/Ranch Education Coordinator

• Part time (15-24 hours/week),  flexible work schedule
• Term position for 2 years, with potential to extend as funding allows
• Preferred start date is May 21,2012
• Pay rate:  $22-25 per hour based on experience, no benefits

Duties and Responsibilities
The Education Coordinator provides assistance to the RCD in its efforts to help landowners voluntarily implement practices to conserve natural resources.  The position collaborates with staff from the RCD and NRCS and works with a wide array of landowners, other individuals, agency staff and organizations.    
This position has three elements:

• The main responsibility of the position will be managing a federally funded grant project that involves coordinating and conducting workshops and field visits with beginning farmers and ranchers in Alameda County and the surrounding area.  
• Working with other RCD and NRCS staff, the position will assist with outreach to local agricultural producers, through September 2012 with possibility of extension. 
• If other ACRCD or NRCS staff need assistance with fieldwork, or various outreach or education projects, they may request the assistance of this position.   Hours flexible based on availabilityofthe position and staff needs.  

Knowledge, Experience, Skills and Abilities

• Background in natural resources, agriculture, or environmental science; bachelor's degree in a related field preferred
• Related work experience in education,  working with rural or semi-rural agricultural communities,  communications, or outreach
• Understanding of budgeting and grant project administration is critical
•  Excellent organizational skills; able to prioritize workload.
• Excellent public speaking/oral communications skills 
• Strong writing skills are critical
• Excellent interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to work both independently and with a team of co-workers. Positive attitude, flexibility, strong desire to learn, and enthusiastic self starter are essential traits 
• Familiarity with the program's intended audience of beginning farmers and ranchers a plus
• Enthusiasm for the program and the ability to motivate the intended audience are key
• Knowledge of Alameda County area natural resources, land management and agriculture a plus
• Physically able to work outdoors, in all weather on sometimes rough terrain.  Able to lift and carry project materials weighing up to 25 pounds
• Communications: implementation of various outreach strategies , coordination with local groups and agencies, preparation of electronic and hard-copy outreach materials

Job Requirements

• Learn all facets of the grant-funded project and assume responsibility for it; collaborate as necessary to accomplish the tasks and work plan
• Coordinate closely with staff to ensure that tasks are being conducted in a manner that is complimentary to other existing programs with this audience
• The project is subcontracted from a non-profit organization called SAGE- Sustainable Agriculture Education, which is acting as the lead agency for the grant; the position will work closely and competently with SAGE to ensure that the RCD's grant products are acceptable and on time
• The position will participate in office meetings and workgroups as appropriate
• Computer skills including Excel, Powerpoint and Word; website and publishing program skills a plus
• CA drivers license and clean driving record; proof of auto insurance
• Primary work site is the Alameda County Conservation Partnership office in Livermore, CA
• Hiring is contingent upon USDA-NRCS computer security clearance  
• There is a possibility that the number of work hours for the position may increase as funding allows based on office workload, and interest and ability on the part of the position

Training will be provided.  The position will be supervised by designated staff and the executive officer, with performance reviews at 3 month, 6 month and 1 year for the first year, and annually thereafter.

Application information
To apply for the position please submit your resume, the names of three current references, and a cover letter explaining why you are interested in and qualified for the position, by email tohr@acrcd.org no later than May 4, 2012. The position will be open until filled.  Please send all documents as attachments to one email.  Documents should be in PDF or MS Word (please do not send documents larger than 1 MB).  Please no images, graphics or photographs.  Applicants selected for an interview will be asked to submit a DMV driving record and a writing sample.   

Equal Opportunity Employer