Agronomist I - (Central/Southern Illinois)
About The Position
This role provides environmental consultation services to Production Partners and company facilities, focusing on nutrient planning. The Agronomist I will maintain extensive knowledge in environmental regulations, nutrient management, odor and emissions, and applied agronomy through continuous professional development. This position is responsible for maintaining Certified Livestock Manager credentials and partnering with company farms to ensure regulatory compliance. Key duties include interpreting and negotiating land easements and manure agreements, data entry for nutrient management plans and livestock construction permits, overseeing the environmental management system (EMS), and conducting field research and manure sampling to support waste management plans. Limited support to the manure operation team is also expected.
Requirements
- Associate Degree preferred. 5 additional years of experience may be substituted for the degree requirement.
- Major(s): Agronomy, Soils, Animal Science, Environmental Science, or a related field.
- 2-5 years’ experience in agriculture consulting, agriculture retail sales, agriculture production, research, or customer service preferred.
- Certified Livestock Manager required.
- Knowledge of Crop Farming Systems, Livestock Production Systems, Nutrient Management, Livestock Regulatory Compliance, Conservation and Nutrient Planning Principles.
- Skill in verbal and written communication.
- Skill in operating computer software applications, especially Microsoft Office and SharePoint, GIS applications, RUSLE2, and the Phosphorus Index.
- Skill in operating field technology and sampling equipment.
- Skill in communicating with peers, coworkers, and clients.
- Skill in customer service.
- Ability to maintain complete and accurate records.
- Ability to work independently and while contributing to a team-oriented environment.
- Ability to take initiative and provide leadership.
- Ability to follow and execute directions.
- Ability to organize time and tasks.
- Ability to organize travel assignments.
Nice To Haves
- Certified Crop Advisor preferred.
Responsibilities
- Provide environmental consultation services to Production Partners and company facilities, particularly focused on nutrient planning.
- Maintain a broad and comprehensive knowledge base in environmental regulations, nutrient management, odor and emissions, and applied agronomy through continued professional development.
- Maintain Certified Livestock Manager credentials through the Department of Agriculture.
- Partner with company owned or managed farms to maintain regulatory compliance per Federal & State regulations.
- Interpret and negotiate legal land easements and manure agreements.
- Negotiate and create competitive manure recovery agreements on company owned or managed facilities.
- Perform data entry and technical analysis to support development of comprehensive nutrient management plans and livestock construction permits.
- Oversee implementation of environmental management system (EMS) and develop and lead the integration of facilities and individuals into the system.
- Perform field research and manure sampling, and process the data collected to build and maintain waste management plans.
- Provide limited support to manure operation team.
Benefits
- Choice between a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan and a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) plan.
- Two options for dental coverage, both of which cover three main types of expenses and cover preventative care at 100%.
- Group rate vision benefits.
- Complimentary Basic Life Insurance as well as voluntary employee, spouse, and child life insurance policies.
- Short Term and Long Term Disability coverage, at no cost to the employee.
- A traditional pre-tax 401(k) plan as well as a Roth 40(k) plan.
- Company matches the first 4% of employee contributions to 401(k), which is immediately vested.
- A generous paid time off program, including a life event day and volunteer day each year for full time employees.
- Participation in a Company Short Term Incentive Plan (STI) where payments are dependent upon several company factors/metrics.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
