Agricultural Resourcing Associate (On-Site North Fort Myers, FL)

ABOUT ECHO
ECHO is a global Christian agricultural networking, training, and resourcing organization. Our mission is to strengthen the capacity of a diverse global network to defeat hunger and improve lives through sustainable food and agroecosystem strategies. ECHO has a significant network of over 20,000 individuals and organizations built over 45 years working in more than 190 countries. These partners serve as the primary multiplier for ECHO tested options, strategies, and research.

WHY JOIN ECHO
At ECHO, you will join a global Christian network committed to defeating hunger and restoring hope through sustainable agriculture. Our team is mission-driven, collaborative, and deeply committed to equipping leaders around the world with practical tools that create lasting impact. If you are passionate about faith-integrated service and sustainable solutions, you will find meaningful purpose in this role.

SUMMARY:
The Agricultural Resourcing Associate provides responsive agricultural technical services at ECHO’s North Fort Myers, Florida site; represents ECHO at external technical networking, training, and capacity-building events; and supports the broader functions of the Global Research and Resourcing Department. On-site technical resourcing responsibilities include leading technical tours; developing and delivering responsive trainings ranging from single-day to multi-day events; providing technical in-person, online, and phone consultations; coordinating and co-hosting trainings with external partners; and strengthening the technical capacity of ECHO’s global staff. The Agricultural Resourcing Associate also contributes to and helps manage technical content on ECHOcommunity and provides technical support for strategic global partnerships.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The following statements describe the essential functions of this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.

Technical Resourcing

1. Provide responsive, on-site technical support to visitors and network members through ECHO’s Welcome and Resource Center at the North Fort Myers, Florida campus.
2. Lead technical tours of the ECHO Florida campus, highlighting current demonstrations, agricultural strategies, appropriate technologies, seed bank options, and innovations developed by ECHO and its partners.
3. Support Florida-site responsive technical resourcing and training for strategic partners, including coordination and delivery of relevant agricultural and innovation training.
4. Support RIC technical resourcing, consulting, and training when these functions are routed through the Global Research and Resourcing technical support pathway.
5. Provide technical consultations in person, virtually, or at off-site locations, as coordinated by the Global Research and Resourcing Deputy Director (GRRDD).
6. Support the technical design, implementation, relevance, and maintenance of on-site agricultural demonstrations that showcase the work of ECHO Regional Impact Centers (RICs), partners, and other relevant innovations.
7. Contribute to the development of agricultural technical publications and media, including articles, technical posts, videos, and other educational resources, through research, writing, editing, and content review.
8. Represent ECHO at North American     -based technical networking and capacity-building events, including conferences, symposia, workshops, partner gatherings, and other professional events relevant to ECHO’s mission and areas of technical focus.

Departmental Support

1. Help coordinate responses to agricultural and networking requests that are received by the Global Research and Resourcing department using the technical support pathway.
2. Respond to technical inquiries and network connection requests that fall outside the geographic scope, technical mandate, or capacity of individual RICs, coordinating referrals and follow-up as appropriate.
3. Support the ongoing curation and quality management of ECHOcommunity technical content, including content review, auditing, organization, and development of accurate and useful descriptions.
4. Monitor ECHO Conversations on ECHOcommunity.org and facilitate awareness and engagement among relevant ECHO staff and network members in response to forum topics and technical discussions.
5. Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned by the GRRDD in support of departmental priorities and ECHO’s mission.
6. Support the creation, development, or editing of technical materials as requested and approved departmentally.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIRED SKILLS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Excellent writing and verbal communication skills, with experience in editing and writing technical publications and consultation reports.  

 

• Strong computer proficiency in word processing and MS Office, with a willingness to learn new skills in script and video production.
• Ability to network and connect innovations, ideas, and challenges to network partners and to ECHO.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with staff and volunteers.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to implement and follow through on policies/programs while managing repetitive and varied tasks in a timely manner.
• Must subscribe to the ECHO Statement of Faith and possess character traits consistent with ECHO’s core values.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor's degree in an agriculture or natural resources-related field is required (Master’s degree preferred), ideally with prior experience in agricultural extension or rural advisory services work. International experience is highly desirable. Candidates must have the ability to communicate information and ideas clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, and connect those to a diverse global network. Proficiency in Spanish preferred.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:
Positions directly supervised: None
Positions indirectly supervised: Volunteers and Departmental Apprentices
Department interaction: RIC resourcing staff, Technical Partnership Manager

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions within an office environment. The noise and activity level is usually quiet; however, at times the environment may become fast-paced due to urgent projects and deadlines. This role requires the ability to work constructively under pressure and to travel on short notice.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands, talk and hear. Fine motor skills such as typing, the use of a computer mouse and telephone handset are required. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to sit, stoop, kneel, and crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

TRAVEL:
Regional travel within Southwest Florida, several North America-based travel/networking events annually, potential for some international travel based on partner or RIC Director requests.

OTHER DUTIES:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover all duties; responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

• Compensation commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision, and life insurance)
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Company-matched 401(k) retirement plan
• Generous paid time off, 12 paid holidays, 5 wellness days, plus paid birthday leave

AAP/EEO STATEMENT:
ECHO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner.

In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status, genetic information, or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes.  It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job.

ECHO is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. ECHO’s hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.

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