Join the Maryland/DC Chapter Team!  The Chapter’s overall work is focused on two areas where our outcomes can have the greatest impact for the residents of Maryland/DC: protecting clean water and tackling climate change. Our efforts span the region, from western Maryland’s Central Appalachian forests to our nation’s capital and beyond to the Chesapeake Bay. 

As a key member of the Chapter’s Chesapeake Agriculture Team, your position will advance opportunities to improve water quality, enhance habitat, and build resiliency to and mitigate impacts of climate change in agricultural landscapes of the Chesapeake Bay region. Using your agronomic experience, you will work with partners to increase the implementation of agricultural conservation practices.  You will also apply your organizational experience to evaluate and develop collaborative projects around farmer engagement and innovative financing. Your leadership will ensure that our work is benefiting the economic, environmental, and social wellbeing of our agricultural community. Finally, you will work with colleagues and partners across the watershed and have the opportunity to learn from TNC colleagues across North America and around the world. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Science Leadership: The Agriculture Conservation Specialist identifies opportunities and develops strategies that use the best available science to accelerate the adoption of local and regional climate-smart in-field and edge-of-field agricultural conservation practices which benefit communities, their economy, and nature. They will apply their expertise in agronomy, nutrient management, and environmental economics to develop and advance multi-disciplinary projects with internal and external scientists and practitioners.   

Partnership Building: The Agricultural Program Manager will develop effective partnerships with federal, regional, and state agencies, conservation groups, the agribusiness community, and other public and private organizations engaged in agricultural issues. They will foster and grow private-public partnerships that have the potential to accelerate the implementation of practices in agricultural landscapes to achieve our conservation goals and support local farming communities. They will continue TNC’s representation and active participation on the steering committee of the DE-MD 4R Alliance, a collaboration among agribusinesses, farmers, government agencies, conservation groups and scientists working to ensure that every nutrient application on farms is consistent with the 4Rs – the right nutrient source, applied at the right rate, at the right time, in the right place. 

Program Delivery: This position is responsible for effectively implementing agricultural conservation strategies identified through TNC’s Chesapeake Agriculture Team. They will lead existing and future projects and components of collaborative projects with the 4R Alliance and other partners. Project leadership will include managing projects (including budgets, timelines, and deliverables), coordinating communication and project tasks with partners, and providing effective communication and updates about project goals, progress, and outcomes through multiple outlets.
 

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE