Careers

Available Positions:

Science Communicator

Agricultural Practice Impact Analyst

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Science Communicator- Modesto/San Francisco/Sacramento

Experience Level: Mid-Level (3-5 Years)

Job Type: Exempt, full time with benefits 

To Apply: Please send your cover letter and resume, 3-4 writing examples including any visual content to [email protected] and include “Science Communicator” in the subject line.

Sustainable Conservation (a leading non-profit in its field) advances the collaborative stewardship of California’s land, air, and water for the benefit of nature and people. Every day, we bring together businesses, landowners, government, and other non-profits in some of the most productive yet economically disadvantaged parts of California, to steward the resources on which we all depend in ways that are just and make economic sense. Please visit www.suscon.org to learn more about our work.

Sustainable Conservation is committed to addressing policies and practices that have historically prioritized economic benefits to some at the ecological, health, and/or economic expense of others. We engage with diverse entities like farmers, water agencies, government leaders and community organizations to co-create solutions to catalyze more substantial improvements in areas of California where the stakes are highest for getting it right. Centering diversity, equity, and inclusion in our mission and vision is the fullest expression of how we aim to support California. Only by weaving these values through everything we do – both within individual programs and the organization, both in the field and at the office – can we help shape a California where all can truly thrive.

POSITION SUMMARY: 

As a Science Communicator, this role will collaborate with staff across the organization to identify, gather, analyze, and present data from and related to our work in compelling and clear written, visual, and digital collateral. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, this position will support the Development and Communications team and all our programs: Accelerating Restoration, Solutions in our Soil, Waste Not (dairies and water quality,) and Water for the Future. This position will also identify new storytelling opportunities to help the organization advance our mission. A passion for translating and communicating complex, science-based information, data, and concepts to various audiences, a keen interest in learning about our work, and an exceptional ability to present visual stories from data are key skills needed for success in this role.

Location: This position will ideally be based at our San Francisco office, but we are open to working from our Modesto or Sacramento offices. Our teams work in a hybrid work environment with an option to work remotely a few days a week. Periodic travel throughout the state will be required.

Primary Responsibilities:

Data Analysis & Organization

Collaborate with the Development and Communications team to identify necessary data and program info to advance our communication efforts
Work with program teams to pull, organize, analyze and synthesize available project data for storytelling purposes and collateral
Identify new storytelling opportunities using our historical data
Research new metrics, datasets, and outside expert sources for additional data and context relevant to our work
Create and maintain data and stats dashboards for Development and Communications team, including sourcing, permissions, and context for specific audience use as needed

Written & Visual Storytelling

Collaborate with the Development and Communications team to create written, visual, and digital communications for diverse audiences, including: farmers, water managers, community members, restorationists, industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, non-profit organizations, and fellow conservation advocates
Create clean, compelling visuals for use in reports, publications, grant deliverables, general audience materials, and for digital placement
Update existing publications for the organization’s website
Explore multimedia storytelling for our digital platforms, including animation, illustration, and video
Assist programs with specific tasks and responsibilities, as needed

Audience & Strategy

Collaborate with the Development and Communications team to understand key audiences and program needs
Assist in contextualizing the value and impact of our programs
Coordinate, prioritize, and execute relevant strategies for our published materials

Degree/Education and Years of Experience

Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences or natural resources management or a related field, with 3-5 years of demonstrated experience in outreach and/or communication.

Experience and Skills Required

Extremely strong writing and visual communication skills
Proven ability to communicate complex, nuanced scientific information to broad and/or varied audiences in an accessible way
Proven ability to gather and use facts, statistics, and social drivers to make key points to advance environmental programs
Strong interpersonal skills, with an ability to work across several different programs, track and document conversations and concepts, and make common linkages in messaging
Ability to work both collaboratively and independently, and in cross-functional team settings
Keen interest/aptitude in learning with a curiosity about science, and ability and desire to articulate our work in a larger environmental, policy, and/or relevant context
Strong understanding of a variety of scientific disciplines with ability to communicate scientific processes to a general audience.
Ability to adapt to and manage simultaneous workflows and agreed-upon deadlines, with strong problem-solving and independent thinking skills
Commitment to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion; desire to work in collaboration with a broad range of staff and partners
Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.), BioRender or comparable scientific image and illustration software, visual communication tools, and GIS
Excellent computer skills, including knowledge of MS applications such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
Valid CA Driver’s License and a willingness to travel as required
Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (including booster) required

Also Desirable

Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously
Multi-lingual skills and/or training

Compensation: The compensation for this position will be in the range of $69,660-$76,950 annually. Please note that the exact offered pay will be determined by factors including but not limited to education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.

What we offer: A competitive compensation package based on experience, fully paid health insurance benefits, generous match on 401k, FSA, EAP, vacation, floating days, sick leave, plus the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day as holiday leave. Our greatest benefit is our culture. Our staff is collaborative, dedicated, and caring. We believe in articulating and practicing our values (Collaboration, Respect, Results, Honesty, Learning, Well-Being) at work and have a strong commitment to bringing a DEI lens to our work and workplace culture.

At Sustainable Conservation we value culture and diversity and as an equal opportunity employer we encourage qualified individuals from all backgrounds to apply to our job openings.

Agricultural Practice Impact Analyst

Start Date: May 1, 2024

Job Type: Full Time, Exempt with benefits

To Apply: Please send your cover letter and resume to [email protected], and include “Agricultural Practice Impact Analyst” in the subject line.

Sustainable Conservation (a leading non-profit in its field) advances the collaborative stewardship of California’s land, air, and water for the benefit of nature and people. Every day, we bring together businesses, landowners, and government in some of the most productive yet economically disadvantaged parts of California, to steward the resources on which we all depend in ways that are just and make economic sense. Please visit www.suscon.org to learn more about our work.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Sustainable Conservation has an exciting opportunity that will play a key role in helping expand the impact of our long-standing Waste Not program. This program helps improve drinking water quality in the San Joaquin Valley by identifying and scaling on-farm solutions that reduce nitrate leaching to groundwater. We are seeking an experienced Agricultural Practice Impact Analyst to provide critical support in understanding, evaluating, and communicating the effectiveness of different practices on dairies and farms operating in the San Joaquin Valley.

Under the guidance of the Waste Not program’s Project Director and in collaboration with other team members and our external partners, the Agricultural Practice Impact Analyst will:

support on-farm implementation, evaluation and expansion of an innovative manure subsurface drip irrigation system;
evaluate and address barriers to the production and sale of manure compost; and
assess the environmental and economic opportunities for transforming dairy manure into different value-added products.

The Agricultural Practice Impact Analyst will work in both field and office settings. The ideal candidate will bring farming and agronomic experience, strong analytical and writing skills, and a passion for helping growers understand practices that are good for their business and for the environment and communities.

Location: This role will be based out of our Modesto, or Sacramento office. Our teams work in a hybrid work environment with an option to work remotely a few days a week. The role will require frequent travel in the San Joaquin Valley area in addition to periodic travel throughout the state. If you live anywhere in San Joaquin Valley Area, we encourage you to apply (Relocation is not required if you live anywhere in San Joaquin Valley Area).

Primary Responsibilities

Understand and evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of nutrient management practices and technologies for California dairies.
Analyze data to assess and convey agronomic, environmental and economic impacts of adopting new practices and technologies.
Collaborate with internal and external partners to evaluate and address regulatory and economic barriers to scaling adoption of practices and technologies.
Engage and maintain strong relationships with a variety of partners, including farmers, industry associations, scientists, government agencies, and private sector companies. 
Prepare written documents, including field notes, project update and final reports, guidance on best practices, and summary evaluations of practices and technologies.
Coordinate field days and focus groups with farmers and stakeholders to showcase projects and share learnings.
Initiate, plan, and complete projects and tasks to meet deadlines.
Independently schedule meetings, draft agendas, take meeting notes, identify, and communicate action items, and incorporate action items into work plans.
Collaborate with Waste Not team to develop strategies and work plans that respond to project learnings.
Any other projects/duties as assigned.

Experience and Skills Required

Understanding of production agriculture, with 3+ years of experience working with farmers.
Working knowledge of nutrient management and/or agronomics; Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) a plus.
Strong analytical skills and ability to understand technical details, agricultural engineering, or similar background a plus.
Demonstrated ability to collect, organize, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data.
Exceptional communication (verbal, written, and presentation skills) and listening skills, with emphasis on sharing information with diverse audiences.
Ability to document conversations – in both field and office settings – and use the information to develop written materials such as notes, guidance documents, and reports.
Very strong organizational and project management skills, including demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Strong problem-solving and independent thinking skills, and ability to thrive in a dynamic environment.
Ability to work both collaboratively and independently.
Ability to work productively in both field and office environments.
Ability and desire to work in collaboration with a broad range of partners and cultures, Spanish language a plus.
Commitment to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Keen interest in climate-resilient agriculture, and knowledge and/or motivation to learn about California agriculture, nutrient management, and water.
Excellent computer skills, including use of MS applications such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
Valid CA Driver’s License and a willingness to travel.
Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (including booster).

Compensation: The compensation for this position will be in the range of $84,280- $93,100 annually. Please note that the exact offered pay will be determined by factors including but not limited to education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.

At Sustainable Conservation we value culture and diversity and as an equal opportunity employer we encourage qualified individuals from all backgrounds to apply to our job openings.