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 
Accessibility: If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process please contact Human Resources 

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.

 

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