Conservation Manager

Overview: Position Type Full Time Education Level 4 Year Degree Category Management

Summary: Manages the Conservation Agronomy Department by developing and managing partnerships and programs and by increasing the department's impact and revenue of Heartland Co-op by performing the following duties personally or through subordinate employees.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Work with the director of environmental resources to establish new conservation partnerships and programs that can bring knowledge, resources, and benefits back to our cooperative and our members. Develop and maintain relationships with government officials, government agency personnel, and the private sector individuals who are in positions of developing conservation partnerships and programs. Hire and manage the team of conservation agronomists, training them on the sales process, sales techniques, conservation practices, and programs. Provide agronomic expertise to conservation agronomists, sales agronomists, and farmers. Help conservation agronomists design and coordinate conservation field days, grower meetings, and educational events, including, but not limited to, rainfall simulations, soil health demonstrations, and cover crop or saturated buffer tours. Be accessible to key partners, industry resources, etc., to provide timely feedback and representation for Heartland Co-op's field team. Aid in the training of Heartland Co-op's sales staff on conservation practices and the programs Heartland Co-op offers. Prepare work plans, budgets, quarterly and annual reports, and support grant developments. Maintain a valid driver's license and commercial insurability at all times. Other duties as assigned by management.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Directly supervises employees in the location. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk, hear, taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Employee is exposed to long seasonal work hours. Lift Level: Medium Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly.

Qualifications: Competency:

• To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
• Customer Service – Responds to requests for service and assistance in an effective, timely manner.
• Team Work - Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner.
• Analytical – Collects and researches data.
• Communication – Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations. Demonstrates clear and accurate written communication to customers and other employees.
• Change management – Builds commitment and overcomes resistance.
• Judgment – Exhibits sound and accurate judgment.
• Quantity - Meets productivity standards.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience: Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture with strong agronomy background; three to five years related sales experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Language Ability: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Math Ability: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of accounting software, spreadsheet, and word processing software. Certificates and Licenses: Maintain a CCA certificate as well as any other appropriate certifications. Must maintain a valid driver's license and commercial insurability at all times.