About Us: The South Dakota Soil Health Coalition led by farmers and ranchers, supports the advancement of land stewardship and profitability by nurturing life from the soil up. Founded in 2015, SDSHC is a non-profit membership organization. The South Dakota Soil Health Coalition works in collaboration with agriculturalists to support the implementation of practices to improve soil health. Our producer-led organization offers resources, training, and events that demonstrate how healthy soil results in vibrant communities.

Position Overview: SDSHC team members are needed to assist with providing direct services throughout South Dakota promoting improved soil health. Positions may concentrate on either technical aspects or managerial responsibilities. Team members will collaborate directly with the Executive Director to enhance, deliver, and expand services that support the five principles of soil health. The team member should be self-driven and capable of working both independently and as part of a team.

Education, Experience, and Skills: A combination of education and experience directly related to agriculture, conservation, management, and/or leadership will be considered. Strong communication skills with producers, partners, and coworkers are essential. Good organizational skills and attention to detail are also required.

Managerial Focus: Position will manage the implementation of projects with executive director. Primary responsibilities will include with the knowledge that specific activities are subject to change based on team need:

• Manage and support projects and team members: event planning, creating agendas, and taking notes, communicating with team members and partners, and coordinating outreach activities.
• Support project and grant administration: keeping track of project milestones and deliverables, contract agreements and vouchers, collecting data, grant reporting and researching, grant writing.

Technical Focus: The position involves working directly with farmers and ranchers, alongside the executive director, to implement soil health practices. Primary responsibilities will include with the knowledge that specific activities are subject to change based on team need:

• Support projects and farmers and ranchers: financial and technical support, education on soil health projects, willing to learn the tools necessary for demonstrating and measuring various soil health parameters with an emphasis on when and where these tools are applicable.
• Contribute toward the design and implementation of technical resources for soil health improvement.
• Support field events, test plots, collecting data
• Knowledge agricultural systems, such as agronomics, precision agriculture, soil science, markets and infrastructure, agricultural commodities and government programs.

This position requires travel to farms, meetings, conferences, and events. Candidates must have a valid driver’s license, strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and excellent communication abilities. Good interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusted relationships with farmers, partners, and landowners are also essential.

Wages and Benefits: This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week role with three years of grant funding, contingent on project success. Wages depend on experience. Benefits include paid leave, retirement (Simple IRA), health insurance, HSA, paid holidays, and supplemental insurances.

To Apply: Applicants should fill out the application form here and send a cover letter to Cindy Zenk with “application” as the subject line. Applications will be reviewed continuously until all positions are filled.

For an employment application and complete job description contact:

Cindy Zenk, Executive Director
cindy@sdsoil.org
SD Soil Health Coalition
43968 139th Street
Webster, South Dakota 57274
605-280-4190
sdsoilhealthcoalition.org