Agricultural Specialist

~ The Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable corporation in good standing with the charitable division of the office of the Secretary of State of Maryland. ~

ESLC has a full time staff of eighteen that includes an Executive Director, a Land Conservation Assistant, a Stewardship Manager, a Center For Towns Director, a Community Projects Manager, an Education Program Director, an Education Program Manager, a Director of Advancement, an Outreach Coordinator, a Communications Manager, a Policy Manager, an Office Manager, and an Administrative Specialist.

A 33-member volunteer Board of Directors manages ESLC with the following standing committees: Development; Finance; Leadership; Land Protection; and Governance. In addition to the volunteer Board of Directors, 50 other volunteers strengthen ESLC through a Volunteer Land Steward program, and through other duties, such as administrative help, outreach, special events, and trail maintenance.

Our work is guided by a five-year strategic plan. Each year, staff and board members develop a work plan based on the goals of the strategic plan. You may read our strategic plan here.

Position Overview

The Agricultural Specialist will focus on expanding and enhancing organizational work to support economic opportunity in food and farming related industries, with a key focus on the Packing House project food and farming components. This position is also key to maintain and cultivate strong relationships with the agricultural communities, elected officials, community leaders, partner organizations, and the public.

Responsibilities

• Expand and enhance organizational work to support economic opportunity in food and farming related industries.
• Manage the Packing House project food and farming innovation components.
• Support the Maryland Next Generation Farmland Acquisition Program, administered through MARBIDCO.
• Support expansion of Maryland FarmLINK to the Eastern Shore.
• Develop and maintain relationships with the agricultural community, including farmers, agribusinesses, community leaders, and government agencies.
• Support land conservation easement program with a focus on working lands.
• Other ESLC duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required with at least one year of experience in agriculture, conservation, or related field.
• Professional interests that align strongly with ESLC’s vision and values.
• Outstanding verbal and interpersonal communication skills; able to speak about ESLC in an articulate, compelling, and professional manner in one-on-one, group, and public settings.
• Exceptional written communication skills.
• Disciplined self-starter, capable of working independently as well as part of a team.
• Desire and demonstrated ability to identify and address personal knowledge gaps; to learn on the job; and to cultivate sources of knowledge, expertise, and skill.
• Able and willing to travel (including a vehicle) frequently among the six counties in ESLC’s service area and occasionally beyond the service area.
• Ability to manage time effectively, balancing multiple tasks, occasionally under time pressure.
• Proficient in all aspects of Microsoft Office.