American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 6.5 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally-sound farming practices on millions of additional acres and helped thousands of farm families make a go of it (primarily through programs that increase farm viability and/or enhance farmland access). Long a pioneering leader, AFT is now riding a new wave of growth, driven by agriculture’s most pressing needs and opportunities.
We believe diversity drives innovation. We are inclusive. We embrace differences. We recognize and respect the fundamental value and dignity of all our employees. We celebrate the unique traditions, heritages, and experiences our employees bring to the workplace. We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive culture that promotes and values diversity, and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work every day. AFT’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice statement can be found here.
Job Purpose
Reporting to the National Smart Solar Director, the Smart Solar Program Coordinator will support American Farmland Trust’s (AFT) national and regional efforts to accelerate renewable energy development while strengthening farm viability and safeguarding land for farming and ranching. Our goal is to further develop AFT’s leadership, presence and impact as a trusted voice for the agricultural and energy community by advancing Smart Solar SM principles and program strategies.
This vital support role will build capacity for Smart Solar programs, services and strategic partnerships. The work will advance AFT’s commitment to farmers and ranchers across the nation to manage diverse, viable, profitable farming and ranching operations through systems of practices that promote soil health, build resilience to climate change, and ensure maximum benefits to agricultural communities, especially historically underserved and disadvantaged producers.
The Position
The Smart Solar Program Coordinator helps carry out the strategic vision of a growing, forward-looking conservation organization. In this new role, the coordinator will have the opportunity to work across teams within AFT’s National and Regional Programs, as well as with external partners including farmers, landowners, and professionals in the solar and agricultural industry and conservation sector.
Duties and Responsibilities
Programmatic and outreach support (40%): Support and assist in development and coordination of educational and technical assistance programming, resources, and activities for a diversity of stakeholders across multiple formats, that are responsive to stakeholder and partner needs and strategically relevant to target audiences for positive impacts through the growing national scope of the Smart Solar project portfolio. Support external-facing engagements and assist in development and delivery of compelling virtual and in person events, including facilitating or supporting webinars, multi-session courses, networking events, educational workshops, and field days. Work with Smart Solar team to prioritize public inquiries, process requests for materials, compile information packets for distribution and coordinate materials for meetings, workshops, conferences and fundraising visits. Assist with development of outreach, materials, and services including landowner guides, policy recommendations, and technical assistance to farmers interested in Smart Solar and adoption of agriculturally compatible solar.
Communications and relationship management support (25%): Build positive relationships within the Smart Solar team and across relevant AFT programs, cultivate and steward relationships with external partners and enthusiastically represent AFT Smart Solar in diverse forums and meetings. Work with Senior Manager to support Web content development (writing and editing), reviewing currently posted web content, identifying and addressing web content/presence/social media needs. Support timely review of processes and written publications through to completion that could include blog posts, factsheets, white papers, recorded presentations, field day videos, social media posts, funder reports, peer-reviewed and other technical publications, farmer reports, and media engagements such as press releases, interviews and follow up with members of the media. Coordinate webpage updates, blog posts, press releases, and grow our social media presence (LinkedIn, Instagram, other) in collaboration with the Communications and Farmland Information Center teams, third-party graphic designers, and content experts. Support project tracking of deliverables with AFT’s Project Management Team (PMT).
Data entry and data management (15%): As needed, develop and maintain project tracking spreadsheet and support other data and file management across various file formats. For example, the coordinator will help develop grant proposal narratives, letters of support, and project deliverables. Support national cross-AFT project team by coordinating with Policy, Climate (soil health), and Farm Viability teams by identifying key timelines and process-improvements to drive efficient and impactful outcomes for a dynamic and growing program. Support project leads in data analysis (e.g., social survey results, agricultural management activities, crop yield, economic data). Assist in maintaining Smart Solar photo and video inventory for use in publications.
Provide administrative support (10%): This includes assistance with project-related meeting management and travel logistics, support in agenda setting, Smart Solar information requests, scheduling meetings/events, note-taking, and action item tracking, follow ups with staff across the organization and partners, and organizing, sharing, and maintaining of team files, literature, and technical resources.
Assist with contract financial management (10%): This support includes supporting project management teams to track and ensure visibility on contracted deliverables, including ongoing engagement with AFT’s Finance and Administration department tracking contracts through AFT’s internal approval process, and invoice submissions.
Supporting the national director, the Coordinator will engage with regional solar specialists, regional directors and national initiatives as needed to take initiative and build AFT’s impact in Smart Solar, ensuring a positive impact for farmers, soil health, resilient communities and solar industry partners across the nation. This job description does not state or imply that these are the only job-related responsibilities required of this position. Management reserves the right to revise the job or to require other or different duties be performed as assigned.
Qualifications
Proactive and independent contributor and excellent team player ready to participate in a strong team culture of shared learning, innovation and problem solving among AFT staff.
Highly organized and detail-oriented with demonstrated commitment to high quality professional work.
Creative, effective, flexible problem solver, willing to utilize resources to find solutions.
Demonstrated experience working with a diversity of agricultural, energy, land use and/or conservation professionals strongly preferred, e.g. state and federal agencies, farmers and landowners, solar developers and industry trade associations, conservation districts, researchers, commodity, and conservation organizations.
Demonstrated ability to prioritize most important tasks under time pressure, stay organized, be productive, and follow through with limited supervision.
Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with the public and staff in writing, phone/virtual and in person meetings, partner relations, public engagement, and presentations, including hosting webinars and organizing and facilitating meetings and training events.
Ability to manage expectations across diverse groups and consider multiple perspectives.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite including Power Point is required. Familiarity with managing data and information in MS Excel and editing collaboratively written documents in MS Word.
Familiarity with digital communications platforms and tools, such as website content management systems (WordPress); graphic design software (Canva, Adobe Photoshop); email marketing software (Salsa); mainstream social media platforms.
Avid learner, ready to learn new software and platforms when needed for effective coordination of large and growing virtually connected teams.
Strong editing, writing, proofreading and digital file management skills.
Demonstrated experience with partnership development, building networks.
Dedication to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice within AFT and across agriculture and the food system. Driven to empower and support farmers, especially including BIPOC and other underserved farmers, to improve the viability, resilience, and sustainability of diverse farms and farmers across the US.
Driven to support change in agriculture, conservation, climate solutions, inclusive stakeholder engagement.
Education & Experience
A BA or BS degree and a minimum of 2 years of related internship and/or work experience in or supporting agriculture, agronomy, conservation, environmental management, natural resource planning, or related fields; OR
An advanced degree in related fields may substitute for one year of work experience; OR
At least 5 years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
Degree in or knowledge of and passion for agriculture is strongly preferred.
Working Conditions
This job operates in a teleworking or professional office environment. Occasional work in the evenings or on weekends may be required to meet deadlines.
Willingness to undertake occasional overnight work travel required. This may include annual Smart Solar team retreat, project team meetings, conferences, forums and partner meetings (2-5 times per year).
