Director of Sustainability

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: ​

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The following are the essential duties of this position and do not include marginal functions that are
incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. The scope and duties of a given position may
change or be temporarily altered based on the business needs of the Iowa Corn Growers Association.​

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1. Research & Development​​

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• ​This person will initiate, coordinate, and manage projects that improve agricultural sustainability, soil health, and accelerate adoption of best management practices. This individual will identify new production techniques, review industry technology, and evaluate start-up companies related to sustainability. They will investigate soil health, nutrient loss, carbon sequestration, and water quality to understand management options and implications for agriculture. They will write an appropriate feasibility plan, opportunity analysis or a summary of results for Iowa Corn’s involvement in research, nutrient reduction, sustainability, and carbon sequestration.​​​​

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2. Partner Organizations​​

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• This person will collaborate, participate in partner organization meetings, and serve as a technical consultant for research organizations, universities, agricultural organizations, coalitions, water quality initiatives, consortiums working on sustainability, commodity group collaborations, state and national corn grower organizations, agricultural industry initiatives, and other advisory groups. They will evaluate and participate in current industry initiatives to understand the opportunities and support projects that could impact sustainability in agriculture.​

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3: Information & Outreach

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• This individual will provide information to growers about sustainable practices and progress on improving environmental stewardship. They will provide information or recommendations to farmers or other landowners regarding ways in which they can best use land, promote crop growth, reduce erosion, reduce runoff, and sequester carbon. They will represent and speak on behalf of Iowa Corn at events and meetings. They will collect information and write summaries for Iowa Corn newsletters, publications, and outreach.

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4: Committee & Board Meetings

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• For projects related to sustainability, soil health, carbon, or water quality, this person will identify agenda items, coordinate meetings, present updates, review minutes, write updates, manage the budget regarding environmental programs for the board of directors and appropriate committees of Iowa Corn. This individual will make recommendations to appropriate committees for Iowa Corn involvement and funding for projects.

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5. Progress Measurement

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• This individual will analyze data from studies, trials, surveys, and scientific reports from various sources to convey to the Board, staff, committee members and farmers about environmental practices. This person will utilize this data to measure progress of farmer adoption and the impact of Iowa Corn funding and policies. They will utilize a stage gate process in determining which research projects to fund, measuring progress to meet the appropriate milestones, and evaluating the impact of the project.

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6. External Funding

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• This individual will coordinate and write letters of support for other organizations seeking funding. They will coordinate, write, and submit grant applications to appropriate government agencies and private organizations for internal funding to leverage Iowa Corn investments.

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7. Policy Development & Government Regulation

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• This individual will work with staff to support the ICGA policy development process and develop comments for proposed government rules. They will seek input from growers on regulations and policy. This person will represent Iowa Corn in various government advisory committees and policy groups. This person will review the proposed rules and write comments on these proposed rules on behalf of the Iowa Corn Growers Association.

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QUALIFICATIONS: 

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​Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy, Soil Science, or related field

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Education Preferred: Master’s Degree in Agronomy, Soil Science, or related field

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Experience Required:

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• 2-5 years working in research or outreach related to agronomy, soils, or crop production

• Experience with presenting to groups

• Experience working with farmers and government agencies

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Experience Preferred: 

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• 2-5 years working in research or outreach related to agronomy, soils, or crop production

• Experience with presenting to groups

• Experience working with farmers and government agencies

• 5 years of experience managing projects related to agricultural production or sustainability

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Position Requirements: 

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• Ability to learn on the job and adapt to challenges.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Proficient organization and time-management skills.

• Ability to work with minimal supervision and work well in a team environment.

• Understand the need to support the organization to work effectively by adhering to the attendance and punctuality standards and does not burden co-workers and supervisors unfairly with unnecessary and unplanned absences and lateness.

• Ability to analyze data and be a highly motivated individual with acute attention to detail.

• Must handle sensitive or confidential information with discretion.

• Able to work efficiently with Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and Windows to complete job tasks.

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

• Ability to interact with a wide range of people including farmers, government officials, and non-government organizations (NGOs).

• Knowledge of soils and soil properties related to agricultural production, carbon sequestration, and water quality.

• Must be willing to travel.

• Must have a valid driver’s license is necessary for required travel in Iowa to meet with farmers and attend events in rural communities, on a farm or in fields.

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Reasoning Ability: 

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• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

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Computer Skills: 

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• Ability to perform intermediate PC functions including spreadsheet formulas and functions, queries, tables, merges, and special reports.

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Decision Making: 

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• Responsibilities are guided by a general set of policies or objectives.

• There is considerable freedom to make decisions within these policies or objectives.

• Work is periodically reviewed to determine if objectives have been met.

• Supervisor or other personnel would handle any problems not covered by these instructions.

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WORKING ENVIRONMENT

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This position works mostly in an office environment. It is a quiet environment that is temperature controlled, ventilated, and well-lit. Working Conditions will include a desk space where most of the shift will be spent, and it provides open space to work in. When traveling, work environment will vary.

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PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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This position requires sitting, standing, and walking for extended periods of time. Reaching with hands and arms, climbing or balancing, and stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling is occasionally required. Requires the ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.​