Technical Assistance Provider

Technical Assistance Provider Job Description

Mission:  Cultivating environmentally sound, economically viable, community-focused farms and food systems

Technical Assistance Team Purpose: 

Pasa aims to enhance economic opportunities for farmers across the eastern U.S. states, including those on tribal lands, by expanding access to technical assistance and resources, such as conservation practice implementation, direct marketing, cooperative business planning, community science, education, and other resources. We are focusing on helping farmers improve profitability through sustained methods for market expansion, supply chain improvement, and increased direct-to-consumer sales, thereby enhancing economic opportunities for farmers. Strategic partners provide tailored assistance, with a special emphasis on cooperative business development and agroforestry-based crop marketing.

Position overview:  The Technical Assistance Provider (TAP) position exists to provide farmers with the resources they need to implement conservation practices that help farmers grow a thriving business and a healthy farm ecosystem. The technical assistance needed will vary by farm and by practice. TAPs will guide farmers through tailored enrollment processes, leading to services and support focusing on conservation practice installation. Other forms of support will be available to farmers including market development, training and education, on-farm research support, networking, and other pathways to accessing or expanding markets and will be provided by Pasa or a contractor of the farmer's choosing. This position will be supervised by the Associate Director of Conservation Technical Assistance.

This is a primarily remote, field-based position with seasonally fluctuating farm site visits, some in-person workdays, travel for approved professional development opportunities, and 2-3 annual in-person staff retreats. All employees are required to attend our annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference, held each February in Lancaster, PA. Residence within one hour of the following location is required: Asheville, NC. Pasa does not provide relocation support. If hired, employees have 3 months to relocate. Employees must comply with Pasa's remote employee policies.

Responsibilities

• Build trusting relationships with farmers and serve as an advocate for Pasa's mission
• Be knowledgeable about all of Pasa's programs and services, as well as available funding, arriving at the farm gate with the full tool belt of Pasa resources for farmers to engage with
• Provide administrative and technical guidance to farmers in developing a resource conservation plan, including a selection of NRCS Conservation practices 
• Participate in and lead virtual and in-person training
• Conduct and submit CPA52 environmental evaluations as needed
• Prioritize and manage a high volume enrollment caseload
• Conduct site visits to farms within a 2-hour radius of your residence and occasionally outside of this radius as mutually agreed upon
• Securely collect farm and field-level information with program tech tools in a timely and respectful manner 
• Provide technical assistance and practice implementation in adherence to NRCS conservation practice standards
• Communicate any challenges that are faced in the field to facilitate system improvement
• Connect with farmers in a variety of methods, from phone calls, emails, in-person farm visits, and networking events
• Supervise conservation interns, as requested

Qualifications

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills
• Relevant experience in environmental sciences or agriculture, or bachelor's degree in related field
• Basic understanding of ecosystem services in agricultural settings
• Relevant experience working on or with farms
• Familiarity with digital data collection and organization
• Passion for Pasa's mission
• Commitment to advancing anti-oppression principles

Preferred qualifications

• Working proficiency in English and Spanish
• Direct experience working with historically underserved farmers
• Familiarity with field-based geographic information systems 
• Familiarity with Google Workspace (Gmail, Calendar, Drive etc.)
• Experience working with USDA/NRCS programs
• Specialized experience in pastured management grazing, agroforestry, riparian restoration, Forest Management Planning, and/or Wildlife Habitat/Habitat Connectivity Assessments

Compensation:  This is a full-time position. Annual salary for this position is $68,250. As a term-limited employee, there is an annual $1,000 bonus available for individuals who are bilingual in English and Spanish. Benefits include health, vision, and dental insurance; company wellness plan contributions; pre-tax health and dependent care flexible spending accounts; 401K retirement match; flexible scheduling; 15 paid holidays; and a generous leave policy, along with a work computer and peripherals provided, travel expenses and mileage reimbursement. 

This is a term-limited position, effective through April 2028. This position is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement number NR233A750004G025. Any specified term is based on mutual consent and may be terminated at will, with or without cause, by either party without prior notice to the other, unless otherwise prohibited by law.

Probationary Period: Employees are required to complete a six (6) month probationary period from the date of hire. During this period, the organization will evaluate performance, adherence to policies, professional conduct, and alignment with the organization's mission and values. Employment during the probationary period may be terminated in accordance with organizational policies and applicable law. If you have any questions, please contact jobs @pasafarming.org