Climate Smart Specialist

Climate Smart Specialist (40 hrs/week)

Oʻahu Resource Conservation & Development Council (ORCD) is seeking a highly-motivated individual who is passionate about climate smart agriculture to support us in providing technical assistance, field sampling, and outreach to agricultural producers as part of the Hawaiʻi Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities (HiCSC). The position can begin as early as June 3, 2024.

This project is a collaboration between Lynker, University of Hawaiʻi, ORCD, and a wide variety of other agricultural organizations and universities. For more information visit our project website here. 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.

Location: field locations on Oʻahu, office location in Kunia with hybrid work options available with supervisor approval 

Duties and Responsibilities

● Provide technical guidance, recommendations and support to producers implementing, developing and/or implementing agricultural practices that aim to increase soil carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions

● Maintain knowledge of NRCS Conservation Practice Standards

● Gather relevant information and complete NRCS Environmental Evaluation worksheet CPA-52 for producer sites

● Data entry and management of producer information using Natural Resource Data Solutions (NRDS) software

● Conduct quarterly site visits to verify practice implementation

● Perform community outreach through the Climate Smart Commodities project; including recruitment of producers for Phase II of the project

● Collect soil and greenhouse gas samples sites according to Measurement, Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification Plans and Standard Operating Procedures

● Compose 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

● Assist with the development of contractual agreements between producers, Lynker and the HiCSC project partners

● Participate in the Climate-Smart Training School through the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa

Minimum Qualifications

● Bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences, environmental sciences or related field; knowledge of terrestrial ecosystem ecology and soil science

● Experience in tropical or semi-tropical agricultural systems with deep understanding of climate smart agriculture concepts

● Relevant experience working with agricultural producers and practitioners

● Computer skills, communication, writing and presentation skills; experience in using GPS, ArcGIS, database software, and Microsoft Office

● Readiness to carry out visits to project sites and travel as required

● Capacity to conduct field work and soil/greenhouse gas sampling under a variety of field conditions (including ability to lift ~30 lbs equipment)

● Flexibility and adaptability to work in emergency situations with tight deadlines

● Excellent team-building and cross-cultural skills

● Interpersonal and communication skills and experience in working with a wide range of individuals at high levels in government, private sector and civil society

● 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

● Ability to possess and maintain a valid driver’s license for the duration of the project term

Compensation: $54-62k/yr ($26-29.80/hr) based on qualifications and experience, plus benefits according to policy

To Apply: Send cover letter, resume and three professional references in a single PDF file to admin@oahurcd.org with “Climate Smart Specialist” in the subject line. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. The first deadline for consideration is 1 PM HST, Thursday, May 30, 2024. The position will remain open until filled.

Please note: We are planning to hold interviews on June 6th and 7th, 2024 at 8am, and on June 7th at 12pm. If you apply, consider keeping yourself available for an interview during two of these time slots.