Sustainability Technical Services Coordinator

Dairy Farmers of America is seeking a Sustainability Technical Services Coordinator in Kansas City, KS. The role involves overseeing Technical Assistance Providers and vendors, supporting on-farm sustainability practices, and managing projects. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Science or related fields, along with five years of relevant experience. Knowledge of dairy farming systems and project management skills are essential.
Job Description
• General Purpose:
To support our growing Sustainability work, we are looking for an experienced Technical Services Coordinator to join our Sustainability team. The Technical Services Coordinator is responsible for general oversight and coordination of Technical Assistance Providers (TAPs), Technical Service Providers (TSPs) and other vendors who work with DFA farmer-owners participating in various DFA sustainability projects. In addition, the Technical Services Coordinator provides ongoing technical services support and project management support related to the implementation of on-farm sustainability practices as coordinated within the broader Sustainability function.
• *Job Duties and Responsibilities:**
+ Seek out and qualify TAPs, TSPs, and vendors across the U.S. that may be eligible to provide services and guidance to DFA farmer-owners for implementation of farm-based Best Management Practices (BMPs) in conjunction with DFA sustainability projects
+ Onboard, train, and coordinate the work of TAPs, TSPs and vendors in support of on-farm practices
+ Maintain a close working relationship with the TAPs and TSPs to ensure a collaborative working relationship, strong ongoing communications, and a coordinated approach to supporting DFAs business and DFA farmer-owners
+ Provide technical services support and project management support during project implementation
+ Coordinate DFA and external technical resources supporting projects and/or grants
+ Create project communications and reports
+ The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required
• *Requirements
• Education and Experience
+ Bachelors degree in Agricultural Science or Agricultural Business or a field appropriate to the area of assignment AND five (5) years of related experience; OR, any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved
+ Previous experience as a Technical Assistance Provider or equivalent experience coordinating TAPs
+ Previous experience in production agriculture (e.g. row crops, specialty crops, animal agriculture); previous dairy farming experience preferred
+ Proven experience in project management
• *Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:**
+ General knowledge of dairy farming systems and practices
+ Understanding of dairy farm sustainability impacts and practices including water and nutrient cycles, manure management practices, GHG emissions, biodiversity and natural habitat, and crop input BMPs
+ Knowledge of USDA/NRCS conservation practices and practice standards
+ Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously
+ Ability to effectively present information to management and or public groups in a professional manner
+ Ability to develop project intervention designs, define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions
+ Ability to successfully implement training programs with effective results
+ Ability to follow analysis protocols, understand the effects of protocol deviations on results, and monitor the results for validity
+ Have a thorough knowledge of word processing, database and spreadsheet applications and be able to create and understand formulas in spreadsheet applications
+ Must be able to read, write and speak English
An Equal Opportunity Employer