South Carolina Farmland Protection Associate

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

The South Carolina Farmland Protection Associate plays an important role in accelerating the pace of permanent agricultural land protection in South Carolina.

Position summary

The South Carolina Farmland Protection Associate is responsible for facilitating NRCS agricultural conservation easement projects from application to closing. The Associate plays a role in supporting AFT’s South Carolina outreach and programmatic efforts.

Duties and responsibilities 

• Provide support to South Carolina NRCS in the delivery and implementation of entity-held easement programs across the state. 
• Support AFT and NRCS staff with Farm Bill and easement program outreach.
• Identify support needs from eligible entities and assist with capacity building to efficiently develop and complete agricultural conservation easement projects. This will include providing direct application and program assistance.
• Work with AFT’s National Agricultural Land Network (NALN) to provide content and assist with programs that support agricultural land protection professionals.
• Develop and maintain systems for tracking and evaluating proposed land protection projects and regularly communicate the status of each task associated with a project to NRCS and appropriate entity.
• Utilize tracking systems to ensure that easement projects stay on track with expected timeline for completion. This includes uploading relevant project documents to NRCS systems. 
• Coordinate communications between NRCS, entity, and any necessary contractors working on a given project if needed (such as facilitating a discussion between a land surveyor and NRCS technical reviewer to resolve an issue).
• Serve as point of contact for South Carolina NRCS for all ACEP-ALE related questions and applications. 
• Utilize NRCS business tools to plan, assess, and rank all applications for ACEP-ALE and move selected projects forward to closing.

This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions. While this is intended to reflect the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; experience and/or comfort interacting with diverse stakeholders including farmers, agricultural landowners, agency staff, land trusts, elected officials, and professional service providers. 
• Direct experience with agriculture and/or natural resources and land protection desirable but not necessary. 
• Dedication to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice within AFT and across agriculture and the food system.
• Highly motivated with strong interpersonal skills and willingness to grow professionally.
• Well-organized and disciplined.
• Ability to understand and communicate complex issues quickly.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and ability to maintain confidentiality. 
• Excellent project management skills and experience working in diverse teams of colleagues, peers, and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as with cross-functional teams, and success in a position that worked across traditional reporting lines. 
• Demonstrated ability to work remotely. 
• Hiring for this position is contingent upon a background check
• Knowledge of NRCS business tools, as well as familiarity with Farm Bill programs and protocols. 

Education & Experience 

The Associate must be highly motivated with strong interpersonal skills and should have:

• BA or BS degree and a minimum of 3 years of related work experience in land conservation, agriculture, environmental management, or natural resources. Additional work experience or an advanced degree in one or more of the disciplines noted may substitute for these requirements.
• A valid US driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.   
• Independent and reliable worker; willingness to conduct field-based work in all weather conditions and work effectively from a home-based office location.
• A working knowledge of Southeast agriculture or conservation.
• Experience and working knowledge of NRCS programs and practices is especially valuable but not required. 
• An intellectual curiosity, understanding, and enthusiasm for AFT’s mission.  
• Demonstrated commitment to or understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice and how these play a role in agriculture and food systems.

Working Conditions/Travel

• The Associate will have onboarding with both NRCS and AFT to become familiar with NRCS policies and guidance related conservation easement program implementation and will provide guidance, feedback, and support to entities (such as land trusts) and NRCS staff on projects. 
• South Carolina Farmland Protection Associate will report to the Southeast Senior Program Manager while working closely in the day to day with the South Carolina NRCS State Easement staff. This is a full-time remote position based in or near Columbia, South Carolina. 
•  This position requires regular travel to NRCS office in Columbia, South Carolina and some travel throughout the state to visit land protection sites and meet with partners.
• Occasional out-of-state travel may also be required for events such as all-staff meetings.
• Expected travel is 30% of time with most travel happening as day trips. 

Direct reports

This position has no supervisory responsibility.

Compensation

The salary range is from $65,000 to $70,000 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

Please answer the screener questions and be sure to include a resume and cover letter by 2/18/2025 to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Apply Directly Here: South Carolina Farmland Protection Associate

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.