Employment

Posted January 27th, 2025

RESTORATION SPECIALIST POSITION (NY, NJ)

The Trust for Tomorrow is seeking a Wetland Restoration Specialist for a wide range of tasks, including assistance with wetland and stream restoration, invasive species control, and conservation easement monitoring. This position will work with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Wetland Reserve Easement Program (WRE) to plan, implement, and monitor conservation easements and associated projects in New York and New Jersey. The ideal candidate should like to work outside, have excellent interpersonal skills, be self-motivated and organized to work out of a home-based office, and have a common-sense approach to day-to-day problem solving. The anticipated start date is March 1st, 2025.

Duties will include:

  • Providing direct and indirect support to the Easement Monitoring Program by assisting with field site visits, contacting landowners, assessing aerial imagery of easements and data entry.
  • Attending necessary meetings with NRCS, private landowners and contractors for representation and inclusion in project delivery and monitoring needs.
  • Cooperating and coordinating with landowners in developing Compatible Use Agreements and completing associated documentation.
  • Providing preliminary plans, maps, access information, and other restoration and easement documentation.
  • Assisting with the delivery of wetland and stream restoration projects, including construction supervision and inspection, to ensure projects meet NRCS standards and specifications.
  • Assisting with easement restoration designs and contracting.
  • Providing documentation for contracting and payment purposes to include the development of certification maps and tracking tables.

Qualifications: 

  • A bachelor’s degree in a science-related field and demonstrated knowledge of wildlife habitat restoration techniques. Two (2) years related field experience is preferred.
  • Experience with construction techniques used to restore wetlands, streams and associated upland habitats.
  • Experience in capturing accurate field data surveys using GPS, laser level and other surveying equipment, as well as the ability to keep accurate field notes during site survey, construction, and monitoring.
  • Experience working with state and federal agencies, private landowners, and contractors – experience with USDA Farm Bill programs administered through NRCS is preferred.
  • Excellent interpersonal and public speaking skills.
  • Must be self-motivated and organized to maintain an independent workload and be able to carry out job duties in a timely manner to keep projects and tasks on schedule.
  • Must be computer literate and proficient with Microsoft applications including spreadsheets, internet and computer applications. ESRI and other GIS software experience strongly preferred.

Individual’s primary work location will be remote. Applicants should be located in the southeastern region of New York, northeastern Pennsylvania, or another proximal location allowing easy travel to project sites throughout New York and New Jersey. Frequent travel will be required, including some overnight stays.

Position will begin as a 1099 Independent Contractor position for the first year, with an hourly rate to be determined based on skills and qualifications. Travel required for the completion of work duties will be reimbursed at the federal mileage rate.

After one year of employment the individual will be eligible for promotion to a salaried position with employee benefits. The Trust for Tomorrow provides salaried employees with 10 days paid sick leave, 10 days paid annual leave, and 11 Federal holidays, as well as paid health, dental, and vision insurance.

To apply, email a copy of a resume and three references by February 7th, 2025, to:

David Keller, Senior Monitoring Specialist, The Trust for Tomorrow:  djkeller@trustfortomorrow.org

Posted January 20, 2025

NATURAL RESOURCE SPECIALISTS (FL)

The Trust for Tomorrow has three openings for Natural Resource Specialist positions.  The positions will work directly with producers and landowners to assist with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs and procedures for the planning and implementation of conservation practices on farms and ranches in Florida. The anticipated start date for the position is April 1, 2025.

Primary Job Responsibilities:

 Meets and works in collaboration with landowners to develop conservation plans, conservation practices

  • Assists in gathering and assembling preliminary data for all resource concerns for use in developing complete basic farm conservation plans.
  • Understands all applicable NRCS and Farm Bill programs available to address resource concerns and explains cost share programs and payment procedures to applicants and contract holders.
  • Carries out a follow-up schedule for applying soil conservation practices in accordance with plan and contract schedules.
  • With supervision, utilizes most current technology programs in the documentation and management of conservation plans and technical assistance by the service center
  • Applies conventional and established conservation methods and techniques to maintain or improve production while conserving soil and water resources.
  • Assists in the evaluation of onsite urban, rural, or wetland conservation needs and applying land treatment measures including the installation of erosion and water control practices
  • Provides input for and uses natural resources data and information generated by the Geographic Information System (GIS).
  • Administers cost share programs.
  • Performs other duties as assigned by the NRCS Area Conservationist.

Qualifications:

  • A BA or BS degree in soil conservation, agronomy, soil science, agriculture, agricultural education, agricultural engineering, or a similar degree that has had a significant focus on agricultural production.
  • Strong background in agriculture, conservation, soil science, or environmental science and at least three years’ experience that includes the application of techniques, principles, and methods from a variety of agricultural and natural resource fields.
  • Direct experience working with farmers, ranchers, agricultural landowners, rural communities, and agricultural and conservation organizations.
  • Familiarity with federal and state policies and programs to assist in the viability of food and fiber production and natural resources conservation.
  • Must be computer proficient with Microsoft Office Suite programs and internet-based
  • Experience with utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools and other software to maintain records, gather information, and prepare reports.
  • The ability to meet the qualifications necessary to obtain a federal security clearance for working in close alignment with NRCS, including, but not limited to, fingerprinting and a background check.
  • The individual’s primary work locations will be the:
    • Madison USDA Service Center, Madison, FL
    • Marianna USDA Service Center, Marianna, FL
    • Plant City USDA Service Center, Plant City, FL
  • Salary will be based on experience and qualifications with a projected salary range of $70,000.00 – $73,800.00. The Trust for Tomorrow provides employees with 10 days paid sick leave, 10 days paid annual leave, and 11 Federal holidays, as well as health, dental, and vision insurance.

To apply, email a cover letter, resume and three references by February 20, 2025, to:

April Temple, Executive Director:  aprtemple@trustfortomorrow.org

Posted January 20, 2025

URBAN CONSERVATIONIST (FL)

The Trust for Tomorrow has one opening for an Urban Conservationist.  The position will work directly with urban and small-scale producers and landowners to assist with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs and procedures for the planning and implementation of conservation practices on urban and small-scale farms in southeastern Florida. The anticipated start date for the position is April 1, 2025.

Duties will include:

 Conservation Planning

  • Assist urban and small-scale producers and landowners in the identification of specific USDA Farm Bill programs designed to assist in the viability, conservation, and management of land use for food and fiber production or the preservation of natural resources.
  • Work with urban and small-scale producers and landowners in the selection and application of suitable soil and water conservation practices as needed to address individual resource concerns.
  • Receive referrals, contact producers, and make field conservation planning visits.
  • Furnish necessary planning assistance resulting in conservation plans that document producer/landowner decisions.
  • Aid in the layout and installation of practices and in checking on completed practices.
  • Develop and compile conservation planning maps for applicants and contracts.
  • Establish and maintain program data, files, and documents for program delivery and planning documentation.

Outreach

    • Strengthen relationships between urban and small-scale agriculture producers and NRCS technical and financial assistance programs in Florida.
    • Serve as a primary, community-based point of contact between NRCS and urban and small-scale producers (groups and individuals) and the organizations that support them.
    • Learn and communicate the details of USDA Farm Bill conservation programs available through NRCS and assist urban and small-scale producers in understanding them.
    • Conduct outreach activities such as writing stories and news articles, giving talks at meetings, participating in conservation demonstrations, conducting conservation field tours, and staffing NRCS displays at community events.
    • Support the development and management of documents and materials that clarify pathways for urban and small-scale producers to access specific farm bill programs and support long-term engagement.
    • Collaborate with NRCS and partner staff as needed to deepen, expand and sustain benefits for urban producers, and to support wider and improved urban agriculture activity in NRCS across all disciplines.
  • Performs other duties as assigned by the NRCS Area Conservationist.

Qualifications:

  • A BA or BS degree in soil conservation, agronomy, soil science, agriculture, agricultural education, agricultural engineering, or a similar degree that has had a significant focus on agricultural production.
  • Strong background in agriculture, conservation, soil science, or environmental science and at least three years’ experience that includes the application of techniques, principles, and methods from a variety of agricultural and natural resource fields.
  • Direct experience working with farmers, ranchers, agricultural landowners, rural communities, and agricultural and conservation organizations. Experience working with small farms, community gardens, and other producers in an urban setting is preferred.
  • Familiarity with federal and state policies and programs to assist in the viability of food and fiber production and natural resources conservation.
  • Experience with utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools and other software to maintain records, gather information, and prepare reports.
  • Must be computer proficient with Microsoft Office Suite programs and internet-based
  • The ability to meet the qualifications necessary to obtain a federal security clearance for working in close alignment with NRCS, including, but not limited to, fingerprinting and a background check.
  • The individual’s primary work location will be the Royal Palm Beach USDA Service Center (Royal Palm Beach, FL).
  • Salary will be based on experience and qualifications with a projected salary range of $70,000.00 – $73,800.00. The Trust for Tomorrow provides employees with 10 days paid sick leave, 10 days paid annual leave, and 11 Federal holidays, as well as health, dental, and vision insurance.

To apply, email a cover letter, resume and three references by February 20, 2025, to:

April Temple, Executive Director:  aprtemple@trustfortomorrow.org