PRIMARY LOCATION: Waimea, Hawai‘i Island and remote on-island
FLSA STATUS: Full time, Exempt
COMPENSATION: $48–54,000 per annum + benefits
REPORTS TO: ‘Āina-based Agricultural Practices Specialist & Climate-Smart Commodities Project Manager
TO APPLY: Visit koha.la/careercenter
JOB SUMMARY/PURPOSE: The soil technician works directly with the Hawai‘i-based agricultural project partners of the USDA Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities grant. This grant is a collaboration between Lynker, University of Hawai‘i, The Kohala Center, and other farming organizations and universities. For more information, visit climatesmarthawaii.org.
The USDA Climate-Smart Commodities project provides incentive payments to producers to implement large-scale pilot projects that create market opportunities for commodities produced using agricultural (farming, ranching, or forestry) climate-smart practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and/or sequester carbon. Climate Smart Commodities in this project and portfolio have three main benefits: (1) increasing productivity and incomes, (2) enhancing resilience of livelihoods and ecosystems, and (3) reducing and removing greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere.
The soil technician is responsible for assisting with the onboarding of producers, including the verification of eligibility, implementing baseline soil health and greenhouse gas sampling, and data entry into the Natural Resource Data Solutions software (NRDS) for multiple agroforestry and orchard producers throughout Hawai‘i Island. Participation in the Climate-Smart Training School offered through the project is possible and highly encouraged.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Coordinates site visits to farmers as needed.
- Collects regular soil and greenhouse gas samples from ‘āina-based and climate-smart practices at agroforestry sites across Hawai‘i Island according to Hawai‘i Climate-Smart Commodities’ (HiCSC) Measurement, Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification Plans (MMRVs) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the HiCSC grant.
- Manages producer and practitioner data using NRDS and GPS.
- Participates in continuous professional development and learning opportunities around soil science and data management, and indigenous (agri-)cultural practices.
- Attends HiCSC project meetings throughout the week (roughly 3-4) to provide updates, ask questions, and receive training from project partners.
- Assists in the provision of quarterly reports that include the producer and site, acreage, status of practice implementation, status of sampling, work to be done within the next quarter, a cost report of the practice implementation, and additional comments.
- Assists with other HiCSC project needs and duties as assigned.
REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATES, OR LICENSES:
- Bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, or related fields. Knowledge of terrestrial ecosystem ecology and soil science.
- Experience in tropical/subtropical natural systems, especially island ecosystems, with an understanding of the carbon cycle and climate-smart agriculture concepts.
- Relevant experience working with agricultural producers and practitioners.
- Readiness to carry out visits to project sites and travel as required.
- Experience conducting field work and capacity to conduct soil and greenhouse gas sampling under a variety of field conditions.
- Computer skills, communication, writing and presentation skills, experience in using GPS, database software, and Microsoft Office.
- Applicants must be able to possess and maintain a valid driver’s license for the duration of the project term.
- Possess current motor vehicle insurance that meets or exceeds State of Hawai‘i requirements, as the employee is required to use their personal vehicle and must be willing to travel to various locations to perform the aforementioned duties.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of terrestrial ecosystem ecology and soil science.
- Reliable personal transportation (with current motor vehicle insurance coverage) required for use in traveling between work sites.
- Valid Hawai‘i Driver License (or ability to obtain one) required with a clean driving record.
- Readiness to carry out regular visits to project sites and travel as required.
- Commitment to responsible scientific conduct. Please refer to these key practices as reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK208714/
- Familiarity with NRCS conservation practice standards, particularly for the Pacific Island Area (CPS-PIA), a plus.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- This position requires mobility as well as occasional evening and weekend work hours.
- Work is performed in outdoor environments with varying conditions, a shared office space, home office, and community settings.
- Out-of-area travel is required for professional development, sampling, client technical assistance, and other purposes, including to locations on Hawai‘i Island.
- Able to lift and carry up to 30 pounds.
EQUIPMENT USAGE:
- Computer and standard office equipment.
- Soil and GHG measurement equipment (training provided through the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa).
- GPS, NRDS database, Microsoft Office, NRCS soil web survey, NRCS conservation practice standards for the Pacific Island Area (CPS-PIA).
TO APPLY
Visit our Career Center at https://koha.la/careercenter to submit your resume and letter of interest. You may save your work and return to complete your application, if necessary. If you experience technical difficulties, please email Liam Kernell at lkernell@kohalacenter.org. No phone calls, please.
