- Department: Watershed Program
- Reports to: Senior Director of Ecological Restoration
- Supervises: N/A
- Hours of Work: 40 hours/week; Exempt
- Salary/Grade: $46,000/year
Job Summary
The Climate Smart Project Specialist works under the direction of the Senior Director of Ecological Restoration to provide education and outreach to landowners that will facilitate the implementation of Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Climate Smart Mitigation Activities, Across Ohio, to restore wildlife habitat in riparian and associated uplands with an emphasis on areas with historic and current Eastern hellbender populations including the counties listed below. This work will be conducted in close partnership with NRCS. This partnership will showcase RA’s ability to collaborate at a landscape level with numerous stakeholders, agencies, and organizations, and bring conservation directly to landowners.
Counties where activities may be conducted included:
Hamilton, Clermont, Brown, Highland, Adams, Scioto, Lawrence, Gallia, Meigs, Athens, Vinton, Jackson, Pike, Ross, Pickaway, Franklin, Delaware, Montgomery, Miami, Greene, Madison, Richland, Ashland, Knox, Coshocton, Licking, Muskingum, Perry, Morgan, Noble, Monroe, Belmont, Jefferson, Columbiana, Mahoning, Stark, Holmes, Carroll, Harrison, Guernsey, Hocking, and Tuscarawas
Essential Functions of this Position
Education and Outreach
- Educate at least 1000 landowners over three years about NRCS Climate-Smart Mitigation Activities (CSMA) and associated conservation practices by leading activities such as, but not limited to, tabling at events and utilizing Rural Action’s network of members, existing landowner relationships, and social media platforms;
- Engagement with regional stakeholders including Soil and Water Conservation District offices, Ohio Hellbender Partnership, land trusts and conservancies, and other important landowners and stakeholders in the focus area;
- Develop outreach materials focused on CSMA specific to riparian areas and associated upland habitats to distribute to landowners;
Project Identification
- Conduct site visits with at least 15 landowners per year to identify resource concerns and CSMA;
- Introduce landowners to CSMA opportunities, assist landowners to complete NRCS habitat templates, and connect interested landowners with NRCS to apply for USDA conservation programs;
- Baseline monitoring of site conditions (QHEI, land use, existing impairments, etc.) in order to measure long term impacts of NRCS practices;
- Establish good working relationships with NRCS, Soil and Waters Conservation District Staff along with other conservation partners to achieve desired goals;
General Rural Action Duties
- Participation in Rural Action, events and meetings as needed;
- Other duties as assigned;
- Maintain regular communication with other Rural Action programs engaging with landowners, such as Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry, and help to streamline our communication with landowners;
Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in ecology or environmental restoration;
- Knowledge of environmental issues, watersheds, and streams;
- Familiarity with NRCS’s Farm Bill Programs and Climate Smart Activities;
- Strong communication skills and ability to quickly build relationships and foster partnerships between individuals and organizations;
- Ability to work well with others in a collaborative team environment;
- Proven ability to develop work plans, meet goals, and complete reports;
- Excellent organizational skills and experience convening groups of people;
- Ability and willingness to be flexible in daily work schedule as is required to carry out the mission of the program/organization;
- Ability and proven experience working with private landowners;
- Integrity, credibility and commitment to Rural Action’s mission;
- Experience with Google suite, Microsoft Word and Excel, database management, email, social media, and other computer software systems;
- Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed;
- Ability to traverse rough terrain, carry 40 pounds, and work in field conditions;
- Valid driver’s license and a reliable vehicle;
NOTE: The above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the associate a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of his/her position. As the nature of business demands change so, too, may the essential functions of this position. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and references outlining your experience as it relates to this job description. Send materials to hr@ruralaction.org with subject heading: “Climate Smart Project Specialist.” For priority consideration, please send application packet by May 24, 2024.
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity
Rural Action is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and is committed to making employment decisions based on merit. We are committed to complying with any and all pertinent Federal, State and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, as well as all laws related to terms and conditions of employment.