PNW Land Transfer Specialist

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. AFT launched the conservation agriculture movement and continues to raise public awareness through our No Farms, No Food message. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect nearly 8 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally sound farming practices on millions of additional acres and supported thousands of farm families. Long a pioneering leader, AFT continues to evolve to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers nationwide, adapting its approach to ensure the continued strength and resilience of agriculture and rural communities nationwide.

Job purpose
Reporting to the Pacific Northwest (PNW) Senior Program Manager, the PNW Land Transfer Specialist (“Specialist”) conducts outreach, coordinates programming, and delivers technical assistance for landholding and land-seeking farmers and ranchers, helping to grow AFT’s regional presence and impact.

Position summary
As an integral part of AFT’s Pacific Northwest team, the Specialist supports AFT’s programs across the region with a focus on eastern Washington and Oregon. The Specialist is responsible for both short- and long-term support for landholders and land seekers, supporting the transfer of agricultural land.

The Specialist will take the lead on project outreach and support project implementation, build and maintain relationships with participants, and provide technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, and service providers throughout the region. Technical assistance will be delivered in both in-person and in virtual settings.

This is a fully remote position. Applicants must be self-motivated and able to work independently in a remote setting. There may be opportunities to meet with other regional staff in person throughout the year.

Duties and responsibilities
Outreach and Coordination:

• Create materials and conduct regional outreach to connect with landholders and land seekers
• Plan and implement educational events for farmers and ranchers, including but not limited to conducting outreach, delivering educational programming, and developing new resources, training, and tools
• Plan and implement land transfer-related educational events for agricultural service providers
• In collaboration with AFT’s National Agricultural Land Network (NALN) and the PNW Land Transfer Team, coordinate regional forums for land transfer professionals in the PNW

Direct Support for Farmers and Ranchers:

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with farmers and ranchers and agricultural, environmental, research, business, and community partner organizations
• Engage directly with farmers, landowners, and relevant partners to understand the succession and land transfer-related needs of local agricultural communities
• Using AFT’s Technical Assistance Protocol, provide direct technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, and landowners related to land access, transfer, and succession
• Maintain communication with and support succession planning efforts for landholders in both the short-term (months) and long-term (years), including clear, concise, and secure documentation of support provided
• Seek out and participate in relevant training to build professional skills (e.g. mediation or facilitation training)
• Connect regularly with other AFT Land Transfer Specialists and contribute to an internal community of practice
• Listen to and support landowners through sensitive decision making in an unbiased way

Communications

• Work with AFT communications staff and others to create high quality compelling content including writing press releases, press advisories, and online and digital content to promote events and share updates about the impacts of our programming
• Using Canva or similar cloud-based software, create content for social media and other media communication efforts to recruit and retain participants
• As needed, represent AFT at public meetings, conferences, workshops, and trainings

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

 

• Direct experience working with farmers, agricultural landowners, agricultural and conservation organizations, and/or land trusts
• Demonstrated understanding of environmental, social, and economic issues facing different populations of farmers, farmworkers, and farming communities
• Experience performing community outreach and/or implementing in-field community-based educational program
• Experience coordinating logistics for events, community outreach, adult education, and extension
• Strong writing, public relations, presentation, and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work productively with people at all organizational levels and in a virtual setting
• Must be detail-orientated with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite is essential. Must have the ability to learn new software quickly (e.g. Survey Monkey, Canva)
• Must live in Washington State, with a strong preference for applicants based in Eastern Washington
• Must have a valid U.S. driver's license and access to reliable transportation

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated fluency in Spanish
• Prior personal or professional experience in navigating land transfers
• Demonstrated experience with conflict resolution, mediation, and/or case management
• Preferred lived experience and/or cultural competency that enables understanding of a diverse spectrum of stakeholders.
• Education & Experience
• Minimum of 3 years of related work experience in project coordination, case management, communications, extension and outreach efforts, agriculture, land conservation, social sciences, and/or related fields

Working/Travel Conditions
This job operates in a teleworking environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers and phones. Occasional work in the evenings or weekends may be required to meet deadlines. Requires occasional travel through Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, up to 10% of the time.

Direct reports
This position has no management responsibility.

Compensation

This position offers an annual salary of $65,000 - $68,000. 

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)
• 401k Plan
• Sick Leave: Regular full-time employees accrue 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 twelve fixed holidays and a week between Christmas and New Years off 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

To be considered, applicants must submit a resume, a cover letter explaining why they are the right fit for both AFT and this role and complete all screener questions. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and accepted until the position is filled.

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.