RCFI Director of Conservation

OBJECTIVE: RCFI Director of Conservation is responsible for providing the strategy and leadership to drive development and implementation of conservation programs and services supporting farmers to be more productive, profitable, and sustainable. The RCFI Director of Conservation will ensure conservation programs and services programming are impactful for farmers and will work to achieve scalable conservation implementation with a combination of public and private funding. This position reports to the Chief Officer, Research and Conservation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Lead the Research Center for Farming Innovation conservation teams
  
  • Develop conservation program strategy aligned to ISA vision, mission, focus area, and priorities
    o Develop team to deliver on RCFI mission to be a trusted and leading resource for conservation technical assistance and supportive services, programs and projects
    o Champion locally driven, locally relevant programming
    o Maintain knowledge of current agronomic research, conservation, and cropping systems implementation work broadly to establish credibility for RCFI
    o Provides strategic and fiduciary oversight of conservation projects and programs
• Engage in collaborative projects with Iowa State University, state and federal conservation agencies, and other agricultural and conservation organizations to ensure the needs of Iowa farmers are being addressed and advanced
• Assist the ISA Chief Officer of Research and Conservation, the Research and Conservation leadership team, and the ISA Board of Directors in the creation and fulfillment of priorities and Key Performance Indicators relating to the ISA mission and strategic plan, as well as the RCFI priorities
• Work in partnership with the Research and Conservation leadership team to ensure conservation and research teams are fully integrated
• Develop strong working relationships with managers, staff, farmer board members, and various program participants and partners that demonstrate trust and mutual respect
• Assists in fundraising to leverage and expand soybean checkoff dollars for internal and external programs aligned with ISA RCFI vision and mission
• Serves on externally aligned projects, boards, and committees
• Exemplifies ISA values and RCFI competencies, embracing and building our culture throughout the organization

COMPETENCIES

• Leadership
• Team and Relationship Building
• Strategic thinking
• Prioritization and Execution of work
• Innovative
• Adapts to Change
• Results Driven
• Effective Communication
• Fiscal Responsibility
• Expertise in agronomy, conservation and environmental programs

TRAVEL

• This position requires up to 25% travel which varies seasonally. Occasionally travel is outside the local area and overnight.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• The RCFI Director of Conservation leads the ISA RCFI conservation teams.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree conservation and natural resources management, conservation biology, agronomy, agribusiness, environmental sciences, ecology, or related field
• 10-15 years of professional experience leading diverse cross-functional teams with budget responsibilities

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s or PhD in conservation and natural resources management, conservation biology, agronomy, agribusiness, environmental sciences, ecology, or related field
• 15 years of professional experience and the ability to demonstrate broad understanding of:
  o Agronomy and/or environmental science program development
  o Grant and contract research proposal writing
  o Program funding and execution
  o Knowledge of federal, state, and sponsor policies, rules, regulations, and requirements to develop and implement grant and contract agreements
• Proven success in leading teams, collaborating, and overall success in driving scalable conservation programming

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 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and software platforms such as Office 365. Occasional field work is required and sampling equipment such as water sampling equipment, handheld garden shears, soil probes, and GPS equipment are also used.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance
• Onsite Fitness Center and Golf Simulator
• Flexible Spending Account available
• Cellphone and Wellness reimbursement
• 401(k) with generous company match
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Dress for your Day Dress Code