The Inland Empire Resource Conservation District (IERCD) is seeking a Sustainable Agriculture Lead position to support and expand IERCD’s Sustainable Agriculture Programs through developing and maintaining strong partnerships with other agricultural organizations and leaders in the region; building internal team capacity; and understanding and ensuring major program and project deliverables are being planned for and implemented. Typical tasks include managing grant programs and ensuring grant deliverables are being met, researching grant opportunities and completing grant applications, identifying new partnerships and projects to continue expanding IERCD’s agricultural program, supporting IERCD agricultural staff with project development and direction, and representing IERCD at various meetings and conferences about our work. The Sustainable Agriculture Lead reports to the IERCD Conservation Programs Manager within the Community Conservation Department.
The ideal candidate for this position is someone who has experience successfully managing programs and has excellent partnership development, project management, and communication skills. This position will be based in Redlands, CA with the ability to work remote as long as the applicant resides within driving distance to attend occasional meetings, site visits, and other in-person events.
ABOUT THE IERCD:
The Inland Empire Resource Conservation District (IERCD) is a local public agency, headquartered in the City of Redlands and providing conservation, wildland restoration, sustainable agriculture, forestry and fire prevention, and education programming to residents in southwestern San Bernardino and northwestern Riverside counties. Governed by a seven-member board of directors appointed by the County of San Bernardino Board of Supervisors in coordination with the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, the IERCD covers nearly 1,300 square miles of service area within which a range of biological features and cultural landmarks exist. Thirty biological, educational, project management, and administrative staff work to carry out the District’s vision, both through IERCD-focused projects and in collaborating with a variety of federal, state, and local partners and individuals. IERCD works regularly with federal partner, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), to collaborate on, identify, and respond effectively to natural resources needs in the community.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PROGRAM SUPPORT
- Support project planning and implementation including managing grant programs, contracts, and developing project timelines and budgets
- Collaborate with regional partners and develop strong partnerships with key regional, state, and federal partners
- Represent IERCD at meetings related to sustainable agriculture programming and engage partners around IERCD programs and mission
- Stay well informed of emerging conservation and sustainable agriculture trends and opportunities for collaboration
- Identify and apply for additional sustainable agriculture grants to support the development of IERCD’s sustainable agriculture program
- Work closely with field-based staff and the Conservation Programs Manager to ensure program goals and project needs are being met by field activities.
- Participate in and represent IERCD in large regional collaborations with RCDs and other partners
PROGAM ADMINISTRATION
- Collect and manage data and documentation required for quarterly reporting for sustainable agriculture grants
- Support agriculture team staff on project development and implementation
- Set up systems with agriculture team staff to better track successes and metrics for reporting
- In coordination with the Conservation Programs Manager, play an integral role in budgeting and risk management aspects of programming
- Contribute to outreach materials including press releases, social media, and website updates
- Assist with other projects as identified by the Conservation Programs Manager
KEY CAPACITIES:
- Highly motivated, organized, and self-directing with the ability to prioritize workload
- Ability to collaborate on the planning and approach to a complex project, then execute tasks independently with minimal direction.
- Good listener and clear communicator with ability to maintain positive relationships with supervisors, peers, and partners
- Must maintain a professional approach to project work characterized by flexibility, positivity, and openness to feedback.