Work In Iowa Stem Jobs

OBJECTIVE: The Watershed Program Manager provides management, organization, and technical assistance support for developing and implementing watershed-based projects aligning with ISA (Iowa Soybean Association) and RCFI (Research Center for Farming Innovation) strategic values and priorities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide management and technical assistance to the development and implementation of local and regional watershed management planning efforts, including the following:

• Execute the deliverables of assigned watershed planning, watershed project monitoring, and local/regional projects

• Develop and prepare watershed management plans, following a multi-step watershed planning process

• Conduct active farmer and stakeholder engagement resulting in place-based geocentric project plans and implementation programs

• Assess and analyze land use, land and water management, and resource condition using geographic information systems (GIS) based soil and water resource management tools, models, and planning frameworks

• Develop effective watershed-based soil and water resource management programming and working relationships with partners to advance agricultural productivity and environmental outcomes

• Design and support implementation of watershed-based water monitoring

• Work with sponsoring and partner organizations including government agencies, watershed partnerships, collaborators, and local advisory committees

• Provide GIS support to ISA RCFI staff including but not limited to general mapping needs, multiple criteria decision analysis, hydrology, soil loss, and agronomic cropping system modeling

• Provide assistance and support on the application of geospatial information systems and database systems for watershed management

• Coordinate with the Conservation Program Lead to discuss and review project status, deliverables, workload, assignments, program finances, and integration

• Coordinate with other ISA departments and staff aligning work involving soil, water and cropping system monitoring, research, and evaluation

• Participate and assist with educational programming, outreach, communications, and marketing

• Prepare quarterly and annual reports tracking key performance indicators, successes, challenges, and milestones toward meeting the goals and objectives for designated projects and watershed improvement plans

• Develop and provide input to budgets, project proposals, grant proposals, implementation programming and other tasks as needed

• Embrace and emulate the culture of ISA

  COMPETENCIES

• Prioritizing work

• Financial management

• Demonstrate initiative

• Relationship building

• Collaboration skills

• Exceptional customer service

• Evaluating and implementing ideas

• Communicating effectively

  TRAVEL

• This position requires up to 40% travel, typically in Iowa. Travel is frequently outside the local area and may be overnight.

  SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• This position has no supervisory responsibility.

  REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in agronomy, environmental science, agricultural engineering, or a similar ag or natural resources/sciences major or related field in agriculture and natural resources

• 3 or more years of experience working in an agricultural or environmental related field

• Understanding of:

• Midwest row crop agriculture, agricultural conservation practices, and the agricultural industry

• Practical application of agronomy and environmental science

• Computer technologies including data storage, statistical software, GIS, and monitoring equipment interfaces

• Expertise in watershed planning, water quality monitoring, and natural resource management

• Capable of working in a team environment while often working independently to achieve specific project deliverables.

  PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree or higher in environmental science, water resources, agronomy, agricultural engineering, planning, geography, or a related agricultural or natural resources/science major

• 5-7 years of professional experience in agricultural or environmental related field

• Demonstrated experience in technical writing, public speaking, grant writing, meeting facilitation

• Strong understanding of:

• Agricultural research

• Analytics, advanced GIS analysis, and environmental modeling

• Watershed planning

• Water quality monitoring

  PHYSICAL DEMANDS

  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

  WORK ENVIRONMENT:

  This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

  Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance

• Flexible Spending Account available

• Cellphone and Wellness reimbursement

• Onsite Fitness Center

• 401(k) with generous company match

• Tuition reimbursement program

• Dress for your Day Dress Code