The Norfolk Alternative Land Use Services is hiring!
Posted: May 2, 2011
Categories: Food in the News
The Norfolk Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) is hiring a Business Development & Research Coordinator and a Project Coordinator!
ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:
Facilitated by the Norfolk ALUS Partnership Advisory Committee (PAC) in partnership with Norfolk County, Norfolk ALUS is a voluntary, incentive based program providing payments to farmers for returning marginal and environmentally sensitive farmland into native vegetative cover and wetlands for the production of ecosystem services. Norfolk ALUS recently wrapped up a successful three year pilot project engaging 85 farm families across Norfolk County impacting over 700 acres of land and is now embarking on the development of a permanent ALUS program. The permanent program will continue to build on three years of successful community engagement and project development by the ALUS Team and; will increase its scope to include work in priority areas identified in the ALUS 5 Year Vision. Applicants are strongly urged to review www.NorfolkALUS.ca to review the ALUS 5 Year Vision; and the ALUS concept, its history, and the 2007-2011 Norfolk ALUS Pilot Project.
Business Development & Research Coordinator description:
PURPOSE OF POSITION:
Are you excited about the role of ecosystem services and sustainable agriculture in creating healthy landscapes? The Norfolk Alternative Land Use Services Program is seeking a Business Development & Research Coordinator who will oversee the implementation of the ALUS 5 Year Vision. This position is ideal for an individual with a background in environment/sustainability and business studies and who has an interest in sustainable agriculture, ecosystem services and valuation, and the role of business in environmental sustainability. The ALUS 5 Year Vision contains the framework to be implemented by the successful candidate and the ALUS Team to transition Norfolk ALUS from its pilot project stage to a permanent program in Norfolk County.
We are looking for an energetic, self starter, who is capable of working as part of a team and independently to accomplish the goals of ALUS. The successful candidate will network, collaborate, and coordinate with government and non government agencies; existing and potential funding sources; the Norfolk ALUS Partnership Advisory Committee (PAC) and ALUS Project Coordinator; and project researchers to execute and refine the ALUS 5 Year Vision.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
- Implement the transition of Norfolk ALUS through an interim governance structure to a permanent program.
- Coordinate research projects related to ecosystem valuation, market development, and sustainable business models; and ensure their contributions align with the ALUS 5 Year Vision.
- Work to develop a sustainable business model to support a permanent ALUS Program in Norfolk County.
- Develop and maintain, at the grass roots level, a good working relationship with the agricultural community in Norfolk County and existing ALUS project partners.
- Follow, under indirect supervision, generally accepted administrative and business policies and practices.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Report directly to the Chair of the ALUS PAC and the Superintendent of Forestry & Cemeteries.
- Implement the ALUS 5 Year Vision within the established protocols, forecasted timeframes, and budget.
- Network with partners, agencies, and individuals including participating farmers, who have committed resources or an interest towards the participation and/or implementation of the ALUS 5 Year Vision.
- Continue effective communication campaigns to raise awareness and refine, from research and verification, the ecosystem services produced from ALUS projects.
- Support the PAC, including researching information, processing correspondence, and other general duties as assigned.
- Liaise and support researchers and others studying the ALUS concept; verification of ecosystem services; carbon sequestration protocol development; and the governance structure required to administer and finance a larger ALUS program.
- Work closely with, and in full view of the public.
- Adhere to proper protocols for documenting, recording and compiling data.
KNOWLEDGE & SKILL:
- Post secondary education in a related field (Business Administration, Marketing, Resource/Agricultural Management or Environmental Studies) and two years relevant work experience in business/marketing, preferably related to agriculture or natural resource management or a combined education and experience equivalent.
- Practical understanding of business planning, product development, marketing, environmental and ecological sustainability, farming and agricultural sustainability.
- A strategic thinker familiar with the role of business and sustainability, sustainable business models and able to work productively in a complex business environment.
- Experience working with a variety of partners and developing and building relationships between the private and public sector is an asset.
- Experience writing funding and grant applications and reporting to funders is an asset.
- Excellent skills in public relations, communications, relationship building, and networking with diverse partner organizations.
- Understanding of municipal, provincial, and federal legislation; and regulations governing natural resources.
MUST HAVE:
- Thorough understanding of the practices relating to the field of business and marketing.
- Understanding of the Alternative Land Use Services Principles and Practices.
- Excellent word processing skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office including Microsoft Word, Power Point and Excel a willingness and ability to learn basic functions of related department computer software.
- Proven ability to work as a member of a team and in situations without direct supervision.
- Good communications, administrative, negotiation and organizational skills.
- Must be aware of safe working practices for volunteers, partners and self, and must have a basic understanding of the Occupational Health & Safety Act.
- A valid Ontario Driver’s license.
- Coordinate, under the guidance of the ALUS PAC and Chair, the delivery and implementation of the ALUS Program on private agricultural lands across Norfolk County.
- Report directly to the Chair of the ALUS PAC and the Superintendent of Forestry & Cemeteries, Norfolk County.
- Work closely with ALUS Farmer Liaisons to deliver extension services to ALUS Participants as they relate to ecosystem services; ecological restoration practices; habitat creation projects; and site management and maintenance.
- Work closely with project partners including funding partners to deliver frequent and timely project updates.
- Carry out a variety of operational tasks. Â Duties change seasonally.
- Follow generally accepted administrative policies and practices; conservation and restoration practices; and accounting and financial reporting policies and practices.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Implement the Norfolk ALUS Program within the established protocols, forecasted timeframes, and budget.
- Plan and coordinate the delivery of restoration projects on private agricultural land; draft and formalize conservation agreements with project participants; and deliver incentive payments for ecosystem services provided by participating farmers and their lands.
- Assist with the auditing and administration of records, including financial, for the ALUS Program.
- Provide extension services to various client groups.
- Network with a variety partners, agencies, and individuals, including participating farmers, who have committed resources or an interest towards the participation and/or implementation of the ALUS Program.
- Achieve and document milestones which are tied to funding and support from a variety of partners and funding agencies/sources.
- Support the Partnership Advisory Committee, including researching information, minute taking at meetings, processing correspondence, and other general duties as assigned.
- Implement the ALUS communications plan, including issuance of media releases, coordination of tours and seminars, signage, mailings, maintenance of the mailing list, website and portable  ALUS display.
- Liaise and support researchers and others studying the socio-economic viability of the ALUSÂ concept.
- Explore opportunities with new partners and funding agencies/organizations/sources for building support for furthering the ALUS concept at a local, provincial and federal level.
- Basic operation of forestry / agricultural equipment and a variety of power and hand tools, for which training will be provided.
- Works closely with, and in full view of the public.
- Post secondary education in related field (Resource Management or Environmental Studies), plus two years related experience working in the field of natural or agricultural resources or combined education and experience equivalent.
- Working knowledge of Arc Map 9.3 and in field GPS technology.
- Excellent word processing skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office including Microsoft Word, Power Point and Excel.
- Practical understanding of ecological restoration and agricultural practices.
- Ability to maintain good working relationships and to deal with the public.
- Understanding of the practices relating to the field of natural resource management, agriculture, stewardship and conservation planning.
- Understanding of the Alternative Land Use Services Principles and Practices.
- Proven ability to work as a member of a team and in situations without direct supervision.
- Excellent communications, administrative, negotiation and organizational skills.
- A willingness and ability to learn basic functions of related department computer software.
- Good physical dexterity and ability to work in variable weather conditions.
- Experience operating trucks, basic forestry and agricultural equipment an asset.
- Must be aware of safe working practices, for volunteers, partners and self, as they relate to job responsibilities and work environment and must have the basic understanding of the Occupational Health & Safety Act.
- A valid Ontario Driver’s licence.
Please submit your resume and cover letter (Microsoft Word or Adobe pdf.) to kristen.thompson@norfolkcounty.ca by May. 16, 2011. Only those candidates requested for an interview will be contacted.