4 Agriculture Jobs at Accokeek Foundation, Maryland

Applications for the following jobs are now open: Land Conservation Coordinator; Agricultural Outreach Coordinator; Ecosystem Farm Manager; Livestock and Pastures Manager

The Accokeek Foundation stewards 200 acres of Piscataway Park, a national park located in Accokeek, Maryland, on the shore of the Potomac River directly across from Mount Vernon.  Our land serves as an outdoor classroom for our educational programs, research, agricultural and conservation projects. The park is open to the public year ‘round.

Please see https://www.accokeek.org/about/employment for more information on job descriptions and how to apply!

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Land Conservation Coordinator

The Land Conservation Coordinator is a resourceful, detail-oriented individual who will coordinate Accokeek Foundation’s ongoing Land Conservation/Mount Vernon Viewshed Protection Program. This program, begun in 2007, is a partnership between the Accokeek Foundation and Mount Vernon. It builds on the Accokeek Foundation’s five decades as a pioneering land conservation organization. Program elements include monitoring current conditions and prospects for change in the 100 square mile area in and around Piscataway National Park in Maryland; conservation advocacy in both public policy and civic arenas; and direct land protection for the most critical parcels.

Essential functions include:

• Be familiar with and contribute to the advancement of the overall mission and goals of the Accokeek Foundation.
• Work closely with and provide support to the Accokeek Foundation’s President and the Director of the Center for Agricultural and Environmental Stewardship.
• Work with and provide support to planning and resource management staff in Charles and Prince George’s Counties and in federal and state agencies.
• Map general areas and specific parcels of interest.
• Stay abreast of development plans in both Counties.
• Work with outside counsel and volunteer consultants in the direct protection of targeted properties are all important aspects of the Program.
• Attend and represent the Foundation at various community and government meetings and hearings, often in the evenings.

Professional Experience and Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent work experience in geography, planning, landscape architecture, land conservation or a related field
• Familiarity with planning and land conservation vocabulary and tools
• The ability to work independently on a variety of assignments with minimal supervision
• Very strong organizational, administrative, and business process skills
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills, including excellent writing skills
• The ability to work with high level constituents (including land or easement donors, government officials, and board members)
• Creative problem-solving skills, initiative, sound judgment, diplomacy and discretion, as well as the ability to maintain poise and professionalism under pressure
• Map reading skills and knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (ArcGIS) and MS Office software
• Valid driver’s license, a clean driving record, and reliable transportation

While the Coordinator must demonstrate excellent independent decision making skills, he or she also must take direction well, understand the significance of organizational culture, and support organizational standards. The Coordinator must be comfortable working in a fast-paced, collegial, team-oriented, and entrepreneurial environment.

The Accokeek Foundation is a progressive work environment and invests in the professional development of its staff.

Reports to
Director of the Center for Agricultural and Environmental Stewardship

Benefits
Starting salary for this position is $25,000-30,000, with advancement potential, 40 hours per week (exempt), with evening and weekend hours as needed. The Accokeek Foundation provides a generous employee benefit package including health insurance, paid vacation, holiday, and sick leave, and a retirement plan.

To Apply
Send cover letter and resume to Patti Norment, Director of Operations, Accokeek Foundation.

Agricultural Outreach Coordinator

The Accokeek Foundation is seeking an Agricultural Outreach Coordinator to work on a partnership grant from the National Immigrant Farming Initiative, funded through the USDA Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers program. The National Immigrant Farming Initiative’s mission is to strengthen the capacity of immigrants to farm successfully and to advance sustainable farming and food systems.

The Agricultural Outreach Coordinator is a hard-working, resourceful, detail-oriented individual who will assist with agricultural production and outreach to various constituent groups. The Coordinator will assist with developing, and implementing, the Foundation’s agricultural training programs and will focus on cultivating, and providing outreach to, members of the immigrant community who are interested in becoming farmers. Funding for this position is through a partnership for the National Immigrant Farming Initiative The Coordinator will serve on the faculty of the Center for Agricultural and Environmental Stewardship (CAES) as well serve as assistant to the Managers of Sustainable Agriculture in daily agricultural production activities. The Coordinator will participate in training opportunities available to the Foundation’s Sustainable Agriculture Apprentices and other staff.

The AF is a progressive work environment and invests in the professional development of its staff. Essential functions include:

Agricultural Production

• Assist with farm production at the Ecosystem Farm
• Assist with management of the Foundation’s Heritage Breeds of Livestock Program
• Supervise farmer apprentices, part-time staff, and volunteers
• Assist with Management of the Ecosystem Farm CSA

Outreach and Education

• Receive and provide sustainable agriculture training at the Ecosystem Farm and the Center for Agricultural and Environmental Stewardship (CAES)
• Translate spoken and written training and other materials as needed
• Serve on faculty of CAES, helping to develop and deliver workshops and other programs that provide training necessary to enable immigrant farmers, and the agricultural community in general, to build successful farming operations
• Serve as a resource within the immigrant community, connecting disadvantaged farmers with information about USDA resources (FSA, NRCS, RMA, NASS) and other assistance

Professional Experience and Qualifications
Coordinator must be fluent in Spanish and English; must possess the ability to work independently on a variety of assignments with minimal supervision; and must have the ability to work with, and develop and provide educational training to, a diverse group of individuals who have an interest in agriculture. The coordinator must be able to perform the physical requirements of working in a sustainable agriculture operation. Minimum of 2 years experience working in agriculture, preferably sustainable agriculture; machinery operation experience; and computer skills (e.g., Word, Excel) desired.

The Coordinator must possess creative problem-solving skills, initiative, sound judgment, diplomacy and discretion, as well as the ability to maintain poise and professionalism under pressure. While the Coordinator must demonstrate excellent independent decision making skills, he or she also must take direction well, understand the significance of organizational culture, and support organizational standards.

Reports to
Director of the Center for Agricultural and Environmental Stewardship

Benefits
This is a full-time, temporary, grant-funded position which will pay a stipend of $2,400 a month for ten months. The position will include evening and weekend hours as needed. The Accokeek Foundation provides a generous employee benefit package including health insurance, paid vacation, holiday, and sick leave.

To Apply
Send cover letter and resume to Patti Norment, Director of Operations, Accokeek Foundation.

Ecosystem Farm Manager

The Accokeek Foundation is seeking a Manager for the Ecosystem Farm. The Ecosystem Farm, a project of the Accokeek Foundation’s Center for Agricultural and Environmental Stewardship (CAES), was created in 1992 as a demonstration of organic fruit and vegetable production. The Manager of the Ecosystem Farm is a hard-working, resourceful, detail-oriented individual who will manage the production and marketing of the Ecosystem Farm’s produce as well as providing on-the-ground training to the Beginning Farmer Training Apprentices. The Manager will serve as a faculty member of the Foundation’s Center for Agricultural and Environmental Stewardship in the development and presentation of the Foundation’s training programs.

The AF is a progressive work environment and invests in the professional development of its staff. Essential functions include:

Essential functions include:

• Farm Production: Production of organic vegetables, herbs, fresh-cut flowers and small fruits (e.g., figs, strawberries, blueberries) on the Ecosystem Farm’s 8 acres. Production will meet or exceed USDA organic standards. The Manager will maintain organic certification.
• Marketing: All produce is currently marketed through an established and well-regarded CSA program. The Manager will continue to produce for the current CSA program, but will explore other marketing opportunities as appropriate.
• Education and Training: The Ecosystem Farm is the primary classroom for Beginning Farmer Apprentices in the Center for Agricultural and Environmental Stewardship (CAES). Depending on funding and scope of production, there may be 1 – 4 apprentices per season. The Ecosystem Farm Manager is primarily responsible for the on-the-ground training of the apprentices, and will work with the CAES faculty to coordinate classroom and off-farm learning opportunities. The Manager will also work with the CAES faculty to develop and provide other training programs for the Foundation’s constituents.
• Labor Management: In addition to managing the apprentices, the Ecosystem Farm Manager, in conjunction with Accokeek Foundation management, will hire and supervise additional staff as the budget allows. The Manager will also supervise and direct share-holder workers and volunteers.
• Institutional Responsibilities and Accountability: The Ecosystem Farm Manager will work closely with other Accokeek Foundation agriculture and program staff, particularly with the CAES faculty, to ensure close coordination between the Ecosystem Farm and all other Accokeek Foundation operations. The Ecosystem Farm manager will assist with and support other agricultural operations as needed.

Professional Experience and Qualifications: The Foundation seeks a talented grower with a minimum of four years farming experience, with at least 2 years of proven farm management experience, and an associate degree or relevant educational experience. Machinery operation experience required. Computer skills (e.g., Word, Excel) highly recommended. The Manager must be able to perform the physical requirements of working in a sustainable agriculture operation.

The Manager must possess creative problem-solving skills, initiative, sound judgment, diplomacy and discretion, as well as the ability to maintain poise and professionalism under pressure. While the Manager must demonstrate excellent independent decision making skills, he or she also must work well within the Foundation’s agriculture management team, understand the significance of organizational culture, and support organizational standards.

Reports to
Director of the Center for Agricultural and Environmental Stewardship

Benefits
Starting salary mid 30s. The Accokeek Foundation provides a generous employee benefit package including health insurance, a two-week paid vacation, paid holiday and sick leave, and a retirement plan.

To Apply
Send cover letter and resume to Patti Norment, Director of Operations, Accokeek Foundation.

The Accokeek Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Manager of Livestock and Pastures

The Accokeek Foundation is seeking a Manager for its Livestock and Pastures program. The Manager will serve as a faculty member of the Foundation’s Center for Agricultural and Environmental Stewardship (CAES). The Manager of Livestock and Pastures is a hard-working, resourceful, detail-oriented individual who will manage all aspects of the Foundation’s Heritage Breeds of Livestock Program. The Manager will also be responsible for the management of the Foundation’s hay and pasture land, and will contribute to the development and presentation of the Foundation’s training programs.

The AF is a progressive work environment and invests in the professional development of its staff. Essential functions include:

Essential functions include:

• Livestock Management: The management of our small populations of heritage and legacy breeds of livestock and poultry. Livestock includes Milking Devon Cattle; a team of Milking Shorthorn Oxen; Hog Island Sheep; Leicester Longwool Sheep; Ossabaw Island Hogs; Dominique, Buckeye, and assorted other chickens; and Spanish Black and assorted other turkeys; assorted other poultry and fowl. The routine care and management will meet or exceed the current standards for humane and sustainable care of livestock as specified by the US Humane Society, and in the USDA standards for organic livestock and poultry production, with the exception of the use of antibiotics for treatment of illness.
• Pasture Management and Grazing: Development of appropriate rotational grazing and multi-species grazing, including plans and implementation, and sound and sustainable pasture management on approximately 50 acres of open land.
• Marketing:The Manager will explore and help to develop various marketing opportunities for livestock and hay products as appropriate.
• Public Outreach and Education: The CAES provides workshops, field days, pasture walks, and coordinated training opportunities to enhance the education of the visiting public as well as target audiences in our areas of expertise, including the training of the new and beginning farmer apprentices. The development of a livestock apprentice program is a major focus of future development of the CAES. The Livestock and Pastures Manager will work with the other CAES faculty to develop and coordinate educational and outreach activities.
• Institutional Responsibilities and Accountability: The Livestock and Pastures Manager will work closely with other Accokeek Foundation agriculture and program staff, particularly with the CAES faculty, to ensure close coordination between the various Foundation operations. The Livestock and Pastures Manager will assist with and support other agricultural operations as needed.

Professional Experience and Qualifications: Four years farming experience with personal responsibilities for the management of livestock, and an associate degree or relevant educational experience. Machinery operation experience required. Computer skills (e.g., Word, Excel) highly recommended. The Manager must be able to perform the physical requirements of working in a sustainable agriculture operation.

The Manager must possess creative problem-solving skills, initiative, sound judgment, diplomacy and discretion, as well as the ability to maintain poise and professionalism under pressure. While the Manager must demonstrate excellent independent decision making skills, he or she also must work well within the Foundation’s agriculture management team, understand the significance of organizational culture, and support organizational standards.

Reports to
Director of the Center for Agricultural and Environmental Stewardship

Benefits
Starting salary mid 30s. The Accokeek Foundation provides a generous employee benefit package including health insurance, a two-week paid vacation, paid holiday and sick leave, and a retirement plan.

To Apply
Send cover letter and resume to Patti Norment, Director of Operations, Accokeek Foundation.

The Accokeek Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.