The Farm Energy and Agricultural Engineering Specialist will serve as an integral part of UMass Extension’s clean energy and agricultural teams in providing consulting expertise and technical support across the diversity of Massachusetts agriculture, including effective outreach to and engagement with farmers. Farm energy-related focus areas include Energy Efficient Agriculture Operation, Energy Efficient Building Envelope, and Combustion System Improvement. Conducts farm and stakeholder outreach in coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and our colleagues in UMass Extension, while addressing the needs of diverse stakeholders, including state and federal agency staff, regional or local government officials, farm organizations, community groups, and researchers and Extension staff. The Specialist will be well-integrated with NRCS’s energy-related programs and processes and will engage in technical assistance services across the portfolio of services that NRCS offers to its stakeholders.
Essential Functions
Designs, implements, and oversees new and existing collaborative projects and programs that involve campus-wide, local, regional and national partners in providing technical assistance to farm sector. Organizes and presents online and in-person educational programs, including creating curriculum independently or with CEE staff, co-hosting field days and conferences. Connects and expands networks and collaborations for on-farm technical assistance.
In coordination with NRCS, identifies and engages opportunities for serving the farm sector. Conducts desk-top evaluations followed by on-farm site visits that involve energy assessments and comprehensive energy improvement plans for interested farms across Massachusetts. Analyses energy usage and energy savings opportunities across farm operations and facilities and prepare reports with key findings and recommendations addressing energy savings strategies and associated economic implications. Energy assessments and energy improvement plans will focus on actionable strategies and plans for farm electrification and energy conservation and efficiency opportunities in applications such as:
Greenhouse heating and cooling (e.g., thermal blankets, high efficiency heating systems).
Dairy/livestock operations (e.g., variable frequency drive motors for pumping and air circulation, plate coolers, heat exchangers, irrigation and livestock watering improvements).
Cold storage of fruits and vegetables (e.g., precooling of food crops, high efficiency refrigeration, controlled atmosphere strategies, heat recovery technologies, evaporative fan controls).
Maple syrup production (e.g., preheater installation, reverse osmosis (RO) systems).
Energy efficient lighting opportunities (e.g., LED lighting, timers, daylight sensors, and motion sensors).
Mobile energy use in farm tractors, machinery, and trucking (energy efficient motors, electrification options including refrigerated trucks).
Energy efficiency and operational control improvements in irrigation systems (pumping water, water use efficiency, operational resiliency, use of shade cloth and/or mulches to improve water use efficiency, etc.).
Advises client farm business in the analyses and decision-making around the financial performance of potential energy conservation and efficiency strategies. Utilizes forms and applications to meet NRCS procedures and needs, and CEE’s spreadsheet tools for project analysis. Supports and advises client farm business in the funding, implementation, and monitoring of selected energy conservation and efficiency strategies.
Supports UMass Extension’s expansion of efforts to expand the portfolio of their education and outreach offerings to include energy services. This new area of technical support will be provided through the distribution of targeted fact sheets, integration of energy assistance in UMass Extension talking points, and referrals from NRCS and UMass Extension to CEE for energy information and on-site visits and evaluations by the Specialist.
Supports and educates NRCS staff through the delivery of trainings each year to NRCS staff and partners, over a range of farm energy topics provided by CEE or determined to best meet NRCS interests. Helps to upskill and expand NRCS staff and affiliates with energy information and market challenges that NRCS can use to expand or enhance their own programs and outreach.
Works collaboratively to design and disseminate outreach materials and publications.
Communicates best practices in the field, including, amplifying on-farm energy strategies that provide co-benefits for farms and agricultural operations, promotes community engagement, or fosters impactful collaborations.
Supports CEE’s and UMass Extension’s activities, including developing program objectives, preparing reports, and identifying grants to support activities.
Represents CEE and UMass Extension at the campus, regional, state, and national levels in routine matters of organization and procedure relating to work activities.
Co-supervises one student worker each semester and assists in their training.
Works closely with CEE and UMass Extension staff to implement programs and establish collaborations to foster adaptation to climate change.
Other Functions
Works collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.
Works in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
Performs other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
Bachelor’s degree.
Four (4) years of experience relevant to agricultural energy systems and agricultural engineering. Advanced degree in related field can substitute for two (2) years.
Energy assessment experience with working familiarity in areas such as:
Standard Energy Diagnostic and Auditing Equipment
Building Science & HVAC
Assessment and Visual Inspection
Customer Interview & Sit Down – articulate findings and recommendations
Strong interpersonal, client interviewing and communication skills.
Must be able to handle a wide work variety and work in a fast-paced environment.
Strong data entry skills in entering information in tracking systems/databases.
Detail-oriented, organized, self-starter, and have an ability to prioritize workload.
Proficient in Microsoft Office, specifically Word, Excel and Outlook.
Demonstrated excellent written, presenting, and verbal communication skills.
Ability to travel throughout Massachusetts for meetings and site visits.
Ability to establish collaborative working relationships and facilitate group discussions.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
Master’s degree in discipline related to engineering, energy systems, building science, and/or agricultural systems and operations.
Degree and/or work experience in educational disciplines, pedagogy, and communications.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Experience writing proposals and/or managing technical reporting for grants.
Familiarity with state and federal energy policy and incentive programs.
Experience delivering education and/or outreach programs, or presentations to clients or technical audiences.
BPI Fundamentals certification or above.