Nutrient Stewardship Director

Office location may be negotiable within a TNC office in Florida (FL)

The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to make a positive impact around the world in more than 30 countries, all 50 United States, and your backyard. Founded in 1951, the mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Visit www.nature.org/aboutus to learn more.
TNC

The Nutrient Stewardship Director (“Director”) will implement and direct a program that engages agribusiness in promoting best practices on working lands within a five county region in SW Florida (Desoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Manatee, Polk).  S/he will represent The Nature Conservancy across the five county area and work closely with landowners, agribusinesses, farmers, government agencies, agriculture associations, fertilizer research groups, the academic community and other organizations to achieve measureable results in the advancement of water and nutrient stewardship through the 4Rs of nutrient management (right source, right placement, right rate, and right timing of application of nutrients). The Director will work with growers to implement these management practices, seeking significant reductions in fertilizer and water use through modifications in timing and treatment, while maintaining high productivity and quality products.  S/he serves as the principle liaison to these entities while exploring the development of a statewide nutrient stewardship strategy.

Other essential functions:

• Develop and implement innovative conservation strategies to achieve desired results.
• Ability to relaytechnical scientific and modeling information simply and promote innovative solutions to agribusiness affiliates, landowners, and agencies to advance the idea of nutrient stewardship as a way to increase yields and profitability in production.
• Develop and maintain key partnerships with public and private organizations in order to advance the 4Rs nutrient stewardship program across the five county region, and eventually to greater scale.
• Conduct direct producer outreach that specifically targets landowners and farmers in priority areas.
• Develop demonstration sites with willing landowners to build initiative support within the community.
• Has enthusiasm for implementing conservation in an agricultural setting.

• BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in conservation, agriculture, natural resources or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects.
• Experience in collaboration or partnership development and relationship building to influence for desired outcomes.
• Experience applying scientific principles to achieve measurable “on the ground” conservation outcomes.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Preferred agricultural background
• Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing agricultural nutrient and water policy and plans.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in agribusiness.
• Developing practical applications of scientific concepts and technical innovations for conservation purposes.
• Experience in partnership development with producers, agencies, and agribusinesses and agriculture associations.
• Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite, GIS, and other analytical software preferred.
• Knowledge of the five county area in SW Florida preferred.Managing time and diverse activities under deadlines while delivering quality results.
• Proven interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills. 

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT

The Nutrient Stewardship Director may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. These conditions may:

• require occasional physical exertion and/or muscular strain
• present occasional possibility of injury
• require long hours in isolated settings

This position may also:

• require frequent travel domestically and/or internationally
• require evening and weekend hours

The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, a 401k plan, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond. 
TNC

To apply to position number 41470, submit resume and cover letter as one document. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 25, 2013.

Failure to complete all of the required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration.

You must click “submit” to apply for the position. You may select “save for later” if you prefer to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited.

If you are experiencing technical issues, please refer to our applicant user guide or contactapplyhelp@tnc.org.
*LI-MS1*