Landowner Assistance Coordinator

APPLICANTS MUST BE SUBMIT BY COB JANUARY 7, 2025

JOB DESCRIPTION

Talbot Soil Conservation District is part of Envision the Choptank (Envision), a multi-stakeholder partnership focused on developing collaborative solutions to provide a swimmable, fishable waters and to enhance the health and productivity of native oysters in a way that best meets the needs of the surrounding communities within the Choptank River watershed. In 2025, Envision partner organizations received funding to pursue a holistic approach to rapidly improve local water quality conditions in the Upper Choptank watershed, which includes parts of Talbot and Caroline Counties in Maryland and part of Kent County in Delaware. A defining feature of this project is the development of the Producer-Led Bundling Agricultural Practices Program. This will involve forming Producer-Led Groups, which are small groups of farmers working within the same sub-watersheds. Envision partners will work with these groups to co-create solutions that will improve both local water quality and agricultural productivity. This community-based approach leverages local concern and motivation to accelerate implementation of durable restoration practices.

The Landowner Assistance Coordinator (LAC) will work with participants in the Producer-Led Groups to implement the solutions identified within the program. The LAC will provide technical assistance to farmers, helping to assess resource concerns, evaluate potential solutions, connect to funding opportunities, and coordinate implementation. The position will work closely with and be supported by Talbot and Caroline Soil Conservation Districts and the program’s Advisory Group, program facilitator, and farmer community liaisons.

The LAC will report to the Talbot Soil Conservation District and JBO Conservation. The position will be housed with Talbot Soil Conservation District and managed on a day-to-day basis jointly by JBO Conservation and Talbot Soil Conservation District. This is a full-time position; the employee must be flexible to work weekends, evenings, and longer hours when necessary. The position is exempt salaried and “at-will.”

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH AND WORK ACROSS PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

Meet with Soil Conservation Districts and partners working within the Upper Choptank watershed to develop a thorough understanding of the types of restoration practices and funding programs (including state and federal cost-share programs) offered by each.
Liaise with Maryland Department of Agriculture, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, and other on-going agricultural restoration initiatives to identify opportunities for collaboration and share project updates.
Attend and support Advisory Group, Producer-Led Group, and Project Team meetings.

PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO PRODUCERS

Engage and recruit landowners and farmers to participate in Producer-Led Groups with support from farmer Community Liaisons.
Attend all Producer-Led Group meetings, bringing knowledge and expertise of existing restoration and best management opportunities and encouraging Producer-Led Groups to innovate.
Conduct site visits to supply analysis and recommendations on potential restoration solutions and locations, as needed.
Identify resource concerns across adjacent properties and the potential for multi-practice restoration opportunities.
Connect farmers to funding resources and assist with cost-share and other conservation program applications and administration.
As a top priority, coordinate the implementation of solutions identified by the Producer-Led Groups. Assist with restoration solutions on individual farms and across multiple farms.
Connect individual program participants with resources to pursue the implementation of additional practices beyond what is identified by Producer-Led Groups, as requested. As time allows, assist with implementation of these additional practices on individual farms.

COMMUNICATION AND RECORD-KEEPING

Communicate regularly with the individual landowners and farmers engaged. Timing and consistent follow-up with program participants is essential to the success of the position. The position will need to regularly communicate with participants to inform them of progress, next steps, and timelines; answer questions; and ensure compliance with program requirements, including properly completed paperwork, for individual restoration practices.
Provide overall progress updates during Advisory Group, Project Team, and Producer-Led Group meetings.
Maintain regular and frequent communication with JBO Conservation and Talbot Soil Conservation District.
Support the Project Team in writing grant reports.
Maintain a database of all landowners and farmers contacted, resource concerns identified, restoration practices recommended and implemented, and funding sources pursued.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 2 years related work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience (i.e. Associate Degree and 4 years work experience, High School Diploma and 6 years work experience, etc).
Experience with farming and/or the agricultural community (education, training, background, job experience, etc.), preferably on the Eastern Shore
Knowledge of agricultural best management practices and familiarity with federal and Maryland cost-share programs that support best management practice implementation.
Experience coordinating multiple projects and working with partnerships.

SKILLS

Ability to develop relationships with the farming community at all levels (local farmer, government agency, and Soil Conservation District staff)
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Excellent attention to detail and organization

TECHNICAL ABILITIES

Must have Microsoft Office skills, including Excel and PowerPoint.
Must have a valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and access to a vehicle for travel.
GIS and mapping skills are a benefit.
Managing multiple projects at once and sufficiently tracking and recording details of each project.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

$55,000 - $65,000 with benefits, commensurate with experience.
This position will follow the State of Maryland holiday leave schedule (12/13 days per year, depending on election year).
Position will receive five (5) days of personal leave available commencing from the first day of employment and will earn additional annual leave.