POSITION ANNOUNCEMENTS
The National Center for Appropriate Technology is seeking qualified candidates for three full-time positions to work in* *Arkansas, Montana, Iowa or Pennsylvania. The positions available are *Farm Energy Specialist, Sustainable Agriculture Marketing Specialist* and *Agronomy/Cropping Systems Specialist*. NCAT is a private nonprofit organization that champions small-scale, sustainable and local solutions to reduce poverty, protect communities and promote natural resources. Since 1976, NCAT has trained farmers about organic and sustainable practices, monitored energy use and demonstrated renewable technology. *Position: Farm Energy Specialist* *Salary** **Range**:* $30,000 to $44,000 Farm Energy Specialists have a chance to use their engineering or agriculture education and experience to help American farmers. Specialists work directly with farmers to address their questions on how to make their farms more energy efficient or how to develop energy cropping systems. Minimum requirements include farm-based experience with a background and bachelor or master degree in engineering, energy efficiency or agronomy, animal science, soils or a related field in agriculture. The qualified candidate must have a demonstrated interest and experience in farm energy or bioenergy. *Responsibilities*: · Conduct energy audits on farms and analyze farm operations to make them more energy efficient** · Evaluate the renewable energy resources on farms, including solar, wind and biodiesel resources ** · Design, evaluate and train clients on small scale processing equipment · Work directly with farmers and farm groups to provide information on farm energy topics · Research technical information on farm energy efficiencies, cropping systems and on farm processing equipment *Position: Sustainable Agriculture Marketing Specialist* *Salary** **Range**:* $28,000 - $40,000 Sustainable Agriculture Marketing Specialists help farmers navigate the difficult process of adding value to and marketing their products. Candidates should have a bachelor or master degree or equivalent in agricultural business development with emphasis on farm economics, marketing, finance, business planning or value-added enterprise development. *Responsibilities*: · Provide information on how to add value to farm products and transition to organic production and certification · Help farmers develop marketing and business plans for sustainable and organic products · Work directly with farmers and farm groups to provide information on marketing and/or adding value to agriculture products · Research technical information on sustainable agriculture production and marketing topics *Position: Agronomy and Cropping Systems Specialist* *Salary** **Range**:* $28,000 - $40,000 Agronomy and Cropping System Specialists work directly with farmers and ranchers to address their questions about sustainably raising agronomic crops. In addition to training and farm experience with cropping systems, experience with production or marketing of organic or biodynamic agronomic crops is desirable. Minimum requirements include a background and bachelor or master degree in agronomy, soil fertility, weed ecology, crop rotations, economics or a related field in agriculture. *Responsibilities*: · Provide sustainable cropping systems information including management of soil fertility, weeds, water, pests and crop rotations to farmers and ranchers, including those with large field scale crops · Research technical information on sustainable agriculture production and marketing topics · Work with other sustainable agriculture specialists to identify participant needs and appropriate delivery methods *Qualifications:* NCAT values excellent communication skills as jobs involve public speaking, writing and proposal development. All jobs may require specialists to prepare publications, topical summaries, bibliographies, workshop materials and website postings while targeting a variety of audiences of varying degrees of technical knowledge. Requirements may also include disseminating information to farmers via e-mail, telephone and in person and working with other sustainable agriculture specialists to identify farmer needs and appropriate delivery methods. Specialists may also assist in project development activities and attend conferences, workshops, seminars and related events in support of project duties. Travel is required. * * *Benefits: *Benefits include paid vacation and holidays, a health insurance plan, a retirement plan and a pleasant office environment as well as the opportunity to work with a dedicated staff that is passionate about the work they do. * * *Application process:* This is an exciting opportunity to develop a career in sustainable agriculture. If you are interested in providing practical advice, have the right education and practical on-farm experience, please apply. Applicants will be accepted through Oct. 15, 2008 or until a suitable candidate can be identified. *Early applications are encouraged and applications will be considered as they are received.* All persons interested in being considered for the position must submit a cover letter highlighting their experience and skills relevant to the listed qualifications, a current resume and a completed NCAT application form. For further information or to receive an application form, please contact Therese McClafferty in the Butte, MT office at (406)494-4572, email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Incomplete applications or references on the application to "see resume" will not be considered. Applicants can visit NCAT's website at www.ncat.org for a gateway to websites and projects developed by NCAT staff. Send completed application material to Therese McClafferty, NCAT Personnel Office, P.O. Box 3838, Butte, MT 59702. * * *Note:* The information provided about job duties, knowledge and skills typically needed for positions are accurate, but not definitive. Positions may also involve other tasks and duties related to the general responsibilities. It is NCAT's policy and organizational philosophy to ensure that all of our employment practices, including recruitment and hiring, are administered for all individuals without regard to color, race, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status. -- Marisa Alcorta Masters Candidate Viticulture & Enology Department Horticulture & Agronomy Graduate Group University of California at Davis [EMAIL PROTECTED]
