Description
The Soil Health Institute (SHI) is a non-profit organization with a mission to safeguard and enhance the vitality and productivity of soil through scientific research and advancement. The Institute brings together leaders in soil health science and the industry to empower farmers and land managers to successfully adopt regenerative soil health systems that contribute economic and environmental benefits to agriculture and society. SHI has a dynamic team of scientists and educators that work together to advance adoption of soil health management systems with farmers and other stakeholders across North America.
SHI is seeking a Soil Health Educator to support potato growers in Wisconsin and Maine with adopting regenerative agriculture practices.
Key Responsibilities
- Facilitating grower peer networks to support adoption of regenerative management practices.
- Working directly with potato growers to plan, design, and implement soil health management systems and practices that align with national and state-level NRCS standards and specifications.
- Collecting soil samples for monitoring soil health and soil carbon dynamics on growers’ fields.
- Conducting statistical analyses on soil health and soil carbon data.
- Modeling GHG emissions (COMET-Farm) associated with practice adoption.
- Reporting and presenting results to growers and other stakeholders.
- Managing and reporting on project objectives and timelines.
- Developing educational resources for various audiences.
Requirements
We value diverse perspectives and recognize that each applicant for this role will bring unique skills, knowledge, and lived experience. Candidates who meet at least some of the criteria below are encouraged to apply.
- MS/PhD in agronomy, soil science, soil conservation, or related discipline.
- More than three years’ experience delivering extension and outreach programs for growers.
- Enthusiasm for soil science, agronomy, and soil health.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience translating technical information into accessible formats for growers.
- Experience supporting growers with implementing soil health practices according to NRCS practice standards.
- Demonstrated ability to foster effective partnerships among growers, landowners, technical specialists, researchers, USDA and state agency personnel, commodity organizations, and industry partners.
- Experience collecting and analyzing data for soil health assessment.
- Experience working in potato systems.
- Capable of basic data analyses in R programming.
- Capable of basic plotting and data transfer with GIS software.
To Apply
Qualified applicants are encouraged to upload a PDF of their cover letter, resume, college transcripts (unofficial copy is okay), and contact information for three professional references using the "Apply" button. References will not be contacted without first notifying the applicant. In the subject line of the email, please write “Potato Soil Health Educator Application.” The position will remain open until filled; however, the first review of applications will begin October 11, so all interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by that date. Expected start date is on or around November 4, 2024.
Applicants must be authorized to work anywhere in the United States and have a valid driver’s license and good driving record. The Soil Health Institute uses E-Verify to confirm work eligibility.
