Climate and Soil Health Operations Coordinator

Who We Are

American Farmland Trust (AFT) is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 6.5 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally-sound farming practices on millions of additional acres and helped thousands of farm families make a go of it (primarily through programs that increase farm viability and/or enhance farmland access). Long a pioneering leader, AFT is now riding a new wave of growth, driven by agriculture’s most pressing needs and opportunities.

We believe diversity drives innovation. We are inclusive. We embrace differences. We recognize and respect the fundamental value and dignity of all our employees. We celebrate the unique traditions, heritages, and experiences our employees bring to the workplace. We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive culture that promotes and values diversity, and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work every day. Please see AFT’s statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice.

Job Purpose 

Reporting to the Climate and Soil Health Deputy Director, the Climate and Soil Health Operations Coordinator supports AFT’s national climate and soil health efforts which aim to catalyze a new conventional agriculture that protects the land, promotes soil health resilience, and exhibits environmentally sound farming practices to create an equitable, climate neutral agricultural operations for future generations. The role is focused on administrative, financial, and logistical support, ensuring smooth operations and facilitating impactful project outcomes across the portfolio of Climate and Soil Health projects.  

Position summary 

The Climate and Soil Health Operations Coordinator plays a vital role in the Climate and Soil Health Division by supporting the team and the Deputy Director on daily operations including coordinating administrative tasks, financial processes, and programmatic logistics across the Climate and Soil Health portfolio. This role involves collaboration with various stakeholders and requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and organizational efficiency.  This position is budgeted to a limited term, ending August 31, 2028.  

Duties and responsibilities:

Support administrative priorities:

• Coordinate the review, and submission of partner reports, and submit invoices, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. 
• Facilitate logistics for project workstreams, including event coordination, scheduling, and payments. 
• Compile, organize, process project-related materials and eligibility documents, and follow up with project partners to ensure complete documentation as necessary. 
• Attend and document Climate and Soil Health division meetings, providing actionable summaries and follow-up items. 
• Support the team in progress reviews and program tracking, compiling, and submitting regular AFT internal program metrics as needed across the division.  
• Support other discrete programmatic tasks across multiple projects as needed. 

Support financial priorities: 

• Track invoices and payments and ensure compliance with financial protocols across multiple projects.  
• Work with AFT’s Finance department and other staff to develop, test, provide feedback on, and implement standard operating procedures and tools to support the Climate and Soil Health team with submitting and monitoring large batch payments across the portfolio.  
• Support the team in preparing quarterly funder reports, and other requested reporting, ensuring timeliness, accuracy and completeness. 

Outreach and Communication: 

• Develop, coordinate contributions, update, and distribute weekly project newsletters to stakeholders and partners, ensuring clear and engaging communication. 
• Actively engage with stakeholders to gather feedback and provide updates on project progress 

• Proven experience with invoicing, and financial tracking. 
• Ability to draft clear and comprehensive guidance documents and simplify complex processes. 
• Excellent organizational skills with a talent for translating intricate information into actionable steps for varied users of the information. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a focus on clarity, effectiveness, and professionalism. 
• Proficiency in following up with stakeholders through various communication channels to ensure necessary information is obtained or provided in a timely and professional manner. 
• Ability to work on multiple projects at once.  
• Broad knowledge of conservation agriculture practices including grazing systems, biochar, and row cropping.  
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage tasks, with minimal oversight. 
• Capacity to assess and communicate own workload, capacity, and resource needs effectively. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite 

Education & Experience  

• 2-3 years of professional experience in operations coordination in environmental sustainability, agriculture, or a related field. a related field. A bachelor’s degree in business, finance, environmental science, agriculture, or a related discipline is preferred. 

Working Conditions 

• This job operates in a teleworking or professional office environment. Co-location at a university, regional AFT office, or other similar arrangement is a possibility. Willingness to undertake occasional work-related travel as required. 

Compensation

The salary range is from $60,000 to $65,000 for full-time employees, based upon experience.

American Farmland Trust offers a full benefits package for full time employees:

• Insurance coverage begins the 1st of the month following the date of hire. 
• 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) with 10% match after six months of employment
• 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 maximum.
• Holidays: AFT observes eleven fixed holidays during the year (all offices closed) plus a choice of up to three (depending on hiring month) floating holidays.

Why you should apply:

• Be a part of a purpose-driven, committed, knowledgeable, high-performing, experienced and fun team
• A diverse and inclusive work environment
• A cause and mission you can be proud of
• Competitive compensation & benefits
• Remote work opportunities
• Flexible scheduling
   

Timeline

Applications must answer screener questions and include a resume AND cover letter to be considered. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Apply Here. 

We believe diversity drives innovation. We are inclusive. We embrace differences. We recognize and respect the fundamental value and dignity of all our employees. We celebrate the unique traditions, heritages, and experiences our employees bring to the workplace. We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive culture that promotes and values diversity, and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work every day. Please see AFT’s statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice.