On Farm Carbon Reduction Manager

Deadline to Apply: October 27, 2024

Location – This
role is eligible to be performed remotely, however, if you reside within 100
miles of Organic Valley offices in WI, you will be expected to collaborate
onsite in a hybrid fashion for 4-8 days per month.  If you reside outside of 100 miles, you will
travel in to the office 4 times/year for intentional collaboration and connection.  
Employee Type – Salaried  
Bonus Eligibility – No
Safety Sensitive – No

If a company is going to make a difference in today’s world, it’s going to have
to think differently. At Organic Valley, our philosophy and decisions are based
on the health and welfare of people, animals and the earth.  We’re a mission-driven cooperative, owned by
family farmers, and we’ve been leaders in organic agriculture from the very
beginning.  Once pioneers of organic
agriculture, we’re now an established leader.  Organic is all we do.  We are
driven by our mission to promote regional farm diversity and economic stability
by the means of organic agricultural methods and the sale of certified organic
products.

Summary of Role

Organic Valley is committed to reducing its carbon
emissions with a public goal to be Carbon Neutral by 2050, from farm to retail
dock.  The Organic Valley Carbon
Insetting Program (OVCIP) is the Cooperative’s path to reduce and remove
on-farm emissions.  Through this program
Organic Valley farmer members are incentivized to voluntarily implement new
climate smart (CSF) practices on their farms. 
The On-Farm Carbon Reduction Manager will manage
on-farm carbon reduction intervention activities for OVCIP, specifically the
implementation of solar energy and feed management (feed supplements) on
Organic Valley member farms. This role will work directly with participating
CROPP farmer-members (dairy, egg, and grower) throughout the enrollment process
from initial farmer inquiry to baseline and intervention quantification to
verification of practice implementation and ongoing practice monitoring.  The On-farm Carbon Reduction Manager will
work closely with both internal and external technical service providers for
the planning and design of the specific CSF practice.  The Carbon Reduction Manager is the primary sustainability
staff lead for identifying appropriate quantification methods, current
research, and best practices related to solar and feed management. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage all stages of farmer enrollment in OVCIP related to solar and feed management, including initial farmer inquiry, coordination with technical service providers for CSF practice planning and design, farm baseline and intervention quantification, verification of practice installation, and ongoing monitoring and reporting.
• Conduct farmer outreach and education on carbon reduction practices and associated benefits.
• Collaborate with internal staff and external partners to conduct farmer recruitment activities to meet annual OVCIP farmer participation goals.
• Maintain tracking procedures and report quarterly on OVCIP milestones according to the requirements of CROPP’s USDA Climate-Smart Commodities Grant Award.
• Develop and manage relationships with external technical service providers to support CSF practice planning, design, and implementation.
• Identify and assess potential partnerships with new technical service providers.
• Co-lead development of quantification approaches for enteric feed supplements and solar energy.
• Manage individual carbon reduction practices in Quickbase, the customized internal web-based project management software for OVCIP.
• Collaborate strongly with Senior Sustainability Manager and other members of the Organic Valley sustainability team to support delivery of OVCIP to all stakeholders.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Draft content regarding on-farm reduction practices and projects for internal and external audiences, including farmer handouts and articles, consumer blog posts, and other materials.
• Generate required documentation for OVCIP enrolled projects to submit for validation and verification through SustainCERT’s Value Chain Scope 3 Intervention Program.
• Collaborate with Universities and other organizations to verify the efficacy of new feed supplements.
• Participate in department and sub-department team meetings.
• Attend CROPP events, such as the Annual Cooperative Business Meeting and Regional meetings as appropriate.
• Travel on a quarterly basis to various farm regions to verify CSF practice implementation, meet with technical partners and/or attend farm events.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree, in sustainability, environmental science, agribusiness or similar field required.
• 5-7 years of experience in sustainability, carbon and/or project management required.
• Working knowledge of on-farm carbon reduction practices and relevant voluntary carbon offset protocols.
• Excellent time and deadline management, project management and team relationship skills.
• Working knowledge of agriculture and organic farming systems, including dairy, required.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (including Microsoft Teams and Share Point) and the ability to learn the cooperative’s databases for farmer contacts and OVCIP projects.
• Excellent organization skills required.
• Attention to detail a must.
• Team player with positive “can-do” attitude.
• Ability to work independently.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be willing to travel.
  

Base salary range: $64,729.60 - $82,440.80 per
year
This salary range
is exclusive of fringe benefits. The compensation package may also include
incentive compensation opportunities in the form of discretionary bonuses. If
you are hired at CROPP, your final base salary compensation will be determined
based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and/or
experience. Additionally, we believe in the importance of pay equity and
consider the internal equity of our current team members as a part of any final
offer. Please keep in mind that entry-level candidates to this role should
expect to be at the lower end of the salary range and hiring at the maximum of the salary range
is not typical.

Benefits
We believe when our people
are strong, our mission is strong. Therefore, we offer a comprehensive and
holistic Total Rewards package meant to strengthen employees’ and their
family's total wellbeing. Here are some of the great benefits offered: 

• Comprehensive Health Insurance - Choice of plans for you and your family, including some that can be paired with an HSA (which CROPP contributes to on your behalf)
• Supplemental insurances: we offer accidental insurance, critical illness insurance, and hospital indemnity insurance.
• Time Off – 136 hours in the 1st year of employment prorated by start date. Plus 9 paid holidays, plus one floating holiday to use at will. 
• 6 Weeks Paid Parental Leave – For all gendered partners in childbirth or adoption.
• Vision & Dental Insurance – Free annual eye exam, discounts on glasses/contacts, flexible dental network, adult ortho.
• 401k – We match 100% up to the first 3% of an employee’s contribution, and then 50% for 3.1%-5.0% of employee contributions.
• Free services at five local Neighborhood Family Clinics.
• Tuition Reimbursement – Up to $1,500 per year to support continuing higher education.
• Flexible Spending Account – For dependent care costs or to help with dental and vision costs.
• Life Insurance - $50,000 policy funded by CROPP for each employee. Supplemental voluntary coverage available for employees, spouses, and children.
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability/AD&D Insurance - $50,000 of life insurance coverage of $50,000 of AD&D coverage funded by CROPP for each employee.
• Mental Health Support – Free 24/7 access to therapists, coaches, and self-led mental health resources. 
• Free onsite fitness centers available 24/7
• Free biometric screenings (cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure) and health coaching.
• Financial advisors and seminars
• Annual $360 wellness reimbursement
• Flexible Scheduling
• On-site all-organic cafeterias