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Precision Conservation Specialist - Champaign County

Precision Conservation Management(PCM) is a farmer service program led by the Illinois Corn Growers Association &the Illinois Soybean Association in partnership with IL Soil and WaterConservation Districts and over 30 other conservation leaders. The mission ofPCM is to increase conservation adoption using precision agriculture technology and farm business management principles. The Precision Conservation Specialist will provide technical assistance to enrolled cooperators in the PrecisionConservation Management program.

The Precision Conservation Specialist will work in conjunction with the Champaign County Soil and Water ConservationDistrict, and other program partners (PepsiCo, Bunge & Sustainable FoodLaboratory) to educate cooperators about conservation practices and the ILNutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. This person will be responsible for helping farmers in Champaign, Douglas, Edgar, Ford, and Vermilion Counties secure financial and technical assistance to adopt conservation practices and/or expand their use of conservation practices. PCM Specialists present participating farmers with customized reports summarizing the sustainability and financial impacts of their current farming operation and generating environmental and financial comparisons with other farming practices.

This PCM Specialist Position will be employed by the Champaign Soil & Water Conservation District and will have the following duties and responsibilities:

  • Support up to 100 farmers within the PCM program as they work to adopt conservation practices.
  • Promote PCM and the implementation of specific conservation practices.
  • Represent the project and demonstrate strong management and administrative responsibility.
  • Collaborate with and maintain open communication with the PCMDirector, PCM Operations Manager, and the Champaign County SWCD board on implementation related to PCM objectives.
  • Identify opportunities and challenges in meeting PCM objectives and work with other PCM staff including analysts, Specialists, data collectors, and partners, to meet goals.
  • Conduct and coordinate internal and external communications.
  • Coordinate with other PCM Specialists and partners to conduct farmer meetings and trainings.
  • Maintain up-to-date program records.
  • Coordinate and execute strategic and programmatic activities of the PCM program.
  • Provide content for PCM newsletters and website.

Job Requirements
Bachelor of Science degree related to agricultural management, production agriculture, agronomy, or ag economics required.
  • Position will require regular local travel, and some regional travel within the Midwest.
  • Requires in-field work to collect data and samples in various weather and physical environments.