Working Lands Climate Corps Member

Position Title: Working Lands Climate Corps Member (AmeriCorps Position)
Time Frame: 12-month Position, September 2024-August 2025
Locations: One position in California, one position in Minnesota
Compensation: $30,600 Living Stipend (California) or $25,500 Living, Stipend (Minnesota), additional benefits outlined below

Overview
Launching in 2024, the Working Lands Climate Corps (WLCC) is training the next generation of conservation leaders for Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry. The WLCC is a part of the American Climate Corps (ACC), and service members will receive technical skills training, education awards, and career pathway opportunities. WLCC members will receive on-the-ground experience with Wild Farm Alliance (WFA) to support the adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry practices and systems. WLCC plans to engage 100 members throughout the country for 12 months and WFA is a host partner for 2 members in 2024-2025 (one in Minnesota, one in California).

AmeriCorps State and National is a network of local, state, and national service programs that connects thousands of Americans each year in intensive service to meet our country’s critical needs in education, health, the environment, economic opportunity, veterans, disaster services, as well as other unmet needs.

Site Location: Wild Farm Alliance (WFA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting healthy, viable agriculture that protects and restores wild nature. We have a bold 2050 vision to bring nature back to our farms and to catalyze a stewardship ethic among current and new generations of farmers, land stewards, agencies, nonprofits, policy makers, scientists and educational institutions. Learn more about Wild Farm Alliance at www.wildfarmalliance.org.

We have two remote positions, one based in California and one in Minnesota/Wisconsin, working from a home office. Travel is required. The ideal candidates will be based within driving distance from the Santa Cruz area and the the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. We will consider applicants outside of this area who have strong skillsets.

Position Purpose: These positions will help us expand our reach and build capacity, ultimately assisting more farmers with implementation of climate-smart conservation practices. The WLCC member will work in the communities where we have built solid relationships with farmers, conservationists and other allies, promoting practices and actions that build resilience and biodiversity with a focus on a) addressing climate adaptation and carbon sequestration; b) improving biodiversity conservation in general; c) supporting pollinators; and d) attracting beneficial insects and birds for pest control.

Description of Duties:

• Produce farmer profiles that highlight the growers we work with in each region. These profiles, made up of narrative, photos, and videos, will be used to promote our work and inspire more farmers to take action.
• Conduct outreach to expand networks of growers who are interested in adopting climate-smart agriculture practices through events, conferences and presentations. Outreach will promote conservation practices and actions as well as state and federal programs that provide farmers with financial assistance.
• Coordinate field days, webinars and other meetings to support growers in learning about the importance and technical aspects of climate-smart conservation practices and see practices demonstrated on the ground.
• Participate in farm visits with WFA staff and partners to assess opportunities and challenges for conservation, collect data and information that will help determine best practices and perform technical assistance activities to design and preparation of conservation plans that growers would submit to NRCS. Plans will outline climate-smart conservation practices such as installing hedgerows, windbreaks, grassed waterways, filter strips, wildlife habitat plantings and riparian buffers along field edges, in unused weedy areas and in areas too steep, rocky or wet to farm.
• Assist growers with technical assistance support for native habitat implementation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have direct experience in working in the conservation-based agriculture field with a focus on beneficial species and native habitat; technical knowledge of conservation plantings and best practices; and translating scientific information for a farmer audience. The right person works well in a highly collaborative and multi-disciplinary environment; ability to think strategically and creatively; has clear and effective communication skills for both verbal and written communication; and a passion for achieving success. The specific requirements and preferred skills and experience we are looking for are listed below:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Preferred specialties or field of study in agriculture, natural resource management or similar and/or graduate degree.
• Strong knowledge of and experience working with farmers to install conservation plantings and demonstrated ability to work with growers from all backgrounds.
• An understanding of sustainable and conventional agriculture and native plants.
• Ability to travel to farms throughout the region.Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, prioritizing and managing multiple, complex projects, and consistently delivering high quality work projects on schedule.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write clear emails, and technical documents for diverse audiences and conduct presentations for farmers, conservationists, scientists and other audiences.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel etc.)
• A sense of humor and strong team player.
• Valid driver’s license in the United States and a motor vehicle records check allowing employee to be insured under WFA corporate liability insurance.
• Bilingual or multilingual preferred; fluency in Spanish is required for California position.

Physical Requirements:

• Be able to perform the following with reasonable breaks and/or accommodations:
• Move and transport supplies, materials, and equipment weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Occasional work outdoors in the field for 8-10 hours per day, often in sparsely populated, remote locations and under potentially adverse or difficult conditions such as high heat, rain, darkness, biting and stinging insects and other dangerous wildlife (snakes, large mammals, etc.), or abrasive or poisonous vegetation, among others.
• Traverse across unpaved roads and walkways, and rugged terrain such as steep slopes, high weeds and unimproved muddy trails, for periods of 8 hours or more.
• Drive a vehicle for periods of time of up to 8 hours.
• Operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a telephone or computer printer for periods of time up to 8 hours.

AmeriCorps Requirements:

• Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States.
• Be at least 17 years of age.
• Ability to pass FBI, Department of Justice, out-of-state (if applicable), and National Sex Offender Public Registry background checks prior to service.

Terms of Service:

• Enrollment of service for 1,700 hours to be served between 9/1/24-8/31/25.
• AmeriCorps members commit to serving a term of service, providing direct service or capacity-building service in communities across the country. At least 80% of the members’ hours must be spent in direct service. Up to 20% of their service hours can be devoted to education and training.
• Hours are generally Monday – Friday from 8:00am – 5:00pm, averaging 40 hours per week including some evenings and weekends.

Compensation and Benefits

• Annual living stiped of $25,500 (paid out monthly).
• Medical health insurance at no cost (including vision and dental).
• Monthly stiped of $200 for home office space.
• Upon successful completion of a term of service, Working Lands Climate Corps members will receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. The education award may be used to repay student loans and pay eligible educational expenses for higher education and training programs. The amount of the education award depends on the member’s enrollment date and the term type in which they are enrolled.
• Connection to the National AmeriCorps Network and Alumni.
• Opportunity to make a difference in the community.
• Robust orientation and training opportunities that include both formal and on-the-job training. As a result, the WLCC member will be able to:
  • Understand ecological principles of whole farm management and the role of climate-smart conservation.
  • Gain knowledge in how to use various tools in the field and behind the desk.
  • Learn how to establish high impact collaborations to affect change in communities.
  • Be able to navigate agricultural state and federal programs and assist farmers with
    access to resources.
  • Learn about priority populations (socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers) needs, concerns and knowledge related to climate-smart conservation.
  • Learn about climate-smart conservation career possibilities and professional jobs to pursue after a year of service.
  • Learn how to translate scientifical data into compelling stories and resources to inspire change in communities.

Evaluation and Reporting\

The member will participate in evaluation and reporting for assessing progress through bi-weekly timesheets, weekly check-ins with supervisor and mid-year and final performance reviews.

How to Apply

Submit a cover letter, resume, three references and answers to the following questions (250 words
or less per question preferred):

1. This position will focus on building and promoting climate smart practices in farm
   communities through conservation planning, outreach, education and implementation.
   How has your education and experience given you the skills and ability to meet these
   goals? (Please let us know if you have specific experience with climate/farm policies,
   native plants, wildlife, conservation, agriculture, tools, and/or strategies).
2. What do you want to learn through this experience? What skills do you want to gain?
3. We want to support communities and foster the next generation of climate smart
   conservation professionals. How does serving in this position advance your professional
   goals and reflect your goals of public service?

Apply using this link: https://www.wildfarmalliance.org/wlcc_application We will begin
reviewing applications on July 29, 2024. Open until filled. Questions can be emailed to Courtney
at courtneyt@wildfarmalliance.org.

At WFA we support and celebrate differences. WFA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity
workplace. We are committed to incorporating Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion throughout
our work, including improving our efforts to hire, support and engage BIPOC, LGBTQIA+
people, and members of other historically underserved groups.