Metro Chicago Technical Service Coordinator (Grant funded FT position) (Hybrid)

Location: Chicago, IL (virtual + in-person work, prefer someone based on Chicago)

Reports to: Project Executive Director 

Status: Full-time non-exempt

Position Summary

The Technical Service Coordinator will help growers and producers in the 13-county metro Chicago region adopt conservation practices and systems through accessing USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) cost-share dollars. This includes field work with growers to understand their production and farm goals; explaining what NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) agricultural conservation practices a good fit for the producer may be; supporting completion of NRCS applications; advising on implementation of these practices; and supporting the contracting and payment process to access USDA cost share opportunities through the Metro Chicago Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). 

The ideal applicant will share our passion for ecological and equitable agriculture as a nature-based climate solution and as an integral part of a resilient regional food system. We seek a Technical Service Coordinator who is motivated to ensure that resources and programs through USDA reach a wider circle of beneficiaries and participants, including historically marginalized communities. We seek a diversity of voices at the table and strongly encourage people of color, women, members of ethnic minorities, and veterans to apply. Where needed, this position will serve as a "cultural translator," providing a bridge between the NRCS Field Office and growers who have not worked with the agency before. 

Duties/Responsibilities

• Create and execute outreach strategy and materials 
• Consult with farmers & landowners to develop and document plans to implement conservation practices based on their goals - including design, layout, construction, inspection, and certification.
• Assist farmers with accessing Farm Bill programs for financial assistance.
• Inform and educate growers and landowners of conservation financial assistance available.
• Coordinate delivery of assistance to growers and others to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the region's natural resources.
• Conduct follow-up visits, address needs and concerns, and support evaluation, monitoring and reporting
• Establish and maintain client files and documents for Metro Chicago RCPP partners.
• Create a database of preferred vendors that work within NRCS guidelines.
• Identify gaps in programs and connect to other appropriate resources and communicate the need back to NRCS and partners.
• Assist Metro Chicago RCPP partners with contacting program applicants for data collection.
• Engage with all Metro Chicago RCPP partners and NRCS
• As time and budget allows, conduct these value-added services:
  • Convene and facilitate similar roles across the food system responsible for coordinating funding and technical assistance resources for growers
  • Identify, collect and build the CRM structure for data on grower needs, infrastructure, etc. to connect growers to other resources
  • Identify and communicate to growers about other resources, events, trainings, etc. that support their goals
  • Develop innovative resources and training to connect growers to resources beyond the USDA

Required Qualifications

• At least 5 years of production agriculture experience, especially with urban, small- and/or mid-sized diversified and specialty crop operations.
• Desire to learn about USDA financial assistance programs
• Demonstrated capacity to manage multiple priorities and processes under deadlines.
• Experience with GIS (Geographic Information System) or equivalent tools.
• Commitment to participating in a collaborative environment.
• Experience working with a high degree of autonomy and accountability.
• Experience in a field related to agriculture, conservation, environmental sustainability, etc.
• Valid driver's license for work-related travel in the 13-county metro Chicago region (Counties of Lake, McHenry, Boone, Winnebago, Cook, DuPage, Kane, Dekalb, Kendall, Will, Kankakee, Grundy, LaSalle)
• Excellent interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize work and multi-task multiple strands of work 
• Cultural competence, commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and demonstrated commitment to positively contributing to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization.
• Has access to home office, internet, cell phone

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Farm Bill programs or other programs that provide technical and financial support, as well as USDA-NRCS Field Office Technical Guide standards and specifications.
• Experience with farm enterprise and business systems.
• Experience with client management.
• Experience with landscape and/or farm design.
• Educational background in soil conservation or related agricultural or natural resource discipline such as agronomy or soil science.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus

How to Apply

Please submit your resume & cover letter to: careers@communityfoodnavigator.org

Compensation and Benefits 

Annual Salary range: $60,000 - $65,000 based on experience; position is grant funded.

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package includes health, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) with employer match; paid holidays, vacation, sick, volunteer time off, monthly phone stipend, and travel reimbursement.

Relocation assistance is not provided.

Hiring Statement

Community Food Navigator is a project of Windward Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs. Windward is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. Windwards work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.

E-Verify: Windward participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with employees’ Form I-9 information to confirm authorization to work in the United States. Job candidates and employees authorized to work may not be discriminated against on the basis of national origin or citizenship status.