American Farmland Trust · 4 weeks ago
TX Implementation Program Manager
Athens, TX
Full-time
Hybrid
Mid, Senior Level
$80K/yr - $85K/yrAmerican Farmland Trust (AFT) is a national organization focused on agriculture and conservation. The Implementation Program Manager will lead a team to provide technical assistance to farmers and ranchers, facilitating their participation in USDA Farm Bill Conservation programs.
AgricultureNon ProfitSocial
Responsibilities
Oversee a small team of AFT staff (1-3 Implementation Specialists) who provide implementation support to producers through technical and programmatic assistance regarding NRCS farm bill programs, plus other outreach and support services. This includes:
Provide day-to-day supervision (including weekly or bi-weekly check-ins with direct reports), support, training, and mentoring staff to ensure high-quality work and accountability with work plans, deliverables, and budgets
Assist with Implementation staff recruitment, hiring, performance reviews, goal setting, work planning, and professional development/career progression as necessary
Ensure project and programmatic reporting is completed in an accurate, thorough, and timely manner
Travel occasionally to visit direct reports and meet with the NRCS teams they work with to establish open communication and joint troubleshooting when questions arise
Provide technical assistance and practice implementation guidance to contract participants based upon NRCS guidelines and technical experience to ensure final conservation practices meet the goals and responsibilities of NRCS
Assist NRCS staff with the development and management of conservation contracts. Work includes but is not limited to field investigations, topographic site surveying, practice analysis and design, layout, construction inspection, and development of as-built plans
Provide technical and administrative support, recommendations, and implementation assistance on Farm Bill programs. This may include but is not limited to conservation planning and application assistance, status reviews, case file management, and general administrative activities
Assist the Resource Team Leaders and District Conservationists in identifying priority clients for targeted outreach and intervention
Using a variety of methods (e-mail, phone, or traveling to the farm or ranch) establish direct contact with producers participating in NRCS programs, and work with the participants to identify barriers to contract completion
Identify areas where practice implementation within the existing contract requirements is not possible and communicate the situation and need for contract modifications to NRCS
Develop and compile extensive notes on all interactions with farmers to properly document support and progress towards contract completion; and contribute to the maintenance of program contract file folders per NRCS guidance
Assist NRCS field office staff by working with producers to compile necessary data and documentation for contract completion
Develop and curate a deep rolodex of service providers and contractors across the service area
Participate in trainings as directed by NRCS and AFT to ensure integration and access to NRCS systems required to perform job duties. This may include online trainings, as well as in person trainings in regional offices (i.e., College Station, Waxahachie) or the state office (Temple) required to complete Level 1 Planner Certification and beyond
Travel extensively across your identified counties to execute the job functions. Travel occasionally to meetings, conferences, and events to represent AFT’s Texas Regional Program
Assist AFT’s Texas Director with communications, fundraising, budgeting, work planning, and other management tasks as required
Qualification
Required
Experience with NRCS financial assistance programs, including knowledge of program enrollment eligibility requirements, contract management procedures and processes, as well as a deep understanding of locally pertinent conservation practices and activities
Experience with NRCS culture, and an understanding of how to work within the system to advance conservation goals while also advocating for program participants
Experience managing staff in a clear and proactive manner to facilitate growth and success of team members
The ability to serve as a liaison between AFT and NRCS staff at the state and local level fostering a positive relationship for collaboration and partnership
Excellent communication skills (meeting facilitation, phone, writing, partner relations), record keeping, and task management are essential to the position
A deep working knowledge of East Texas agriculture or conservation and an understanding of the culture of farmers and farming
Proven track record of implementing or assisting with implementation of conservation practices or activities
Proven track record in developing relationships with others and supporting them in achieving their goals, ideally in a farming or land management context
Ability to see the big picture while being incredibly detail-oriented
Success in roles requiring simultaneous management of multiple priorities and processes under tight timelines is important
Proven ability to work with efficiency, flexibility, and good humor
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide array of people – junior and senior, government, for-profit, and nonprofit, and from diverse backgrounds
Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills are essential
A valid US driver's license and access to reliable transportation
Passionate about American Farmland Trust's mission and impact
Willingness and ability to complete and pass a USDA background check
Preferred
Will enjoy leading a small team of Implementation Specialists, assisting with problem-solving and troubleshooting to ensure success in their roles
Will have existing connections within NRCS and the agricultural community in the region and will have experience working with a wide variety of farm types and with diverse populations
Will find visiting producers, problem-solving, identifying resource concerns, and researching solutions to challenging farm-specific problems exciting and invigorating, not overwhelming and intimidating
Benefits
Medical & Prescription Coverage
Dental Coverage
Vision Coverage
Company Paid Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability (LTD)
Voluntary Life Insurance
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – Healthcare & Dependent Care
Health Savings Account (HSA)
401(k)
Sick Leave: Regular full-time employees accrue 3.5 hours per pay period (13 “sick days” per year).
Vacation Leave: Accrue 15 days during the first year increasing by one day per year to 20 days per year
Holidays: The Company observes eleven holidays during the year (all offices closed): plus, choice of 3 other floating holidays depending on hiring date
Company
American Farmland Trust
American Farmland Trust was founded in 1980 to save America’s farms and ranches.
Founded in 1980
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$10.25MKey Investors
U.S. Department of AgricultureCalifornia Department of Food and Agriculture
2024-10-29Grant· $10M
2023-02-05Grant· $0.25M
Leadership Team
John Piotti
Chief Executive Officer
Ashley Bovino
CFO and VP of Finance & Administration
Recent News
Clean Technica
2026-01-08
2025-10-25
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