Monitoring and Stewardship Coordinator

State of North Carolina•Wake Forest, NC

17h•$43,267 - $62,985•Hybrid

About The Position

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides services that promote and improve agriculture, agribusiness, and forests; protect consumers and businesses; and conserve farmland and natural resources for the prosperity of all North Carolinians. The Department employs approximately 2,000 employees. Job postings close at 11:59:59 p.m. the night before the listed Posting End Date above. Position currently qualifies for a telework option. Telework options are subject to change at the discretion of management. The Monitoring and Stewardship Coordinator will be responsible for the review and approval of annual monitoring reports submitted by grantee organizations and division staff to ensure alignment with easement language, permitted uses, and contractual obligations and regular review of real estate and conservation documents, including surveys, baseline documentation reports, and environmental assessments. This position will also be responsible for the coordination of the Division’s annual monitoring schedule, including conducting on-site monitoring visits, which may involve overnight travel. The coordinator will manage and oversee the Division’s Geographic Information System (GIS) data, including map production, reviewing and approving GIS shapefiles, and maintaining the statewide easement viewer. The Coordinator will need to maintain comprehensive and well-organized records, including monitoring reports, supporting documentation, and photographic evidence, in accordance with Division record retention policies and monitor and document potential issues in coordination with NCDA&CS leadership and Legal Affairs, while maintaining regular communication with easement holders, funding partners, and landowners to support adherence to project terms and promote long-term stewardship of agricultural conservation easements and ADFP Trust Fund–funded projects and plans. Consulting and Outreach: The Coordinator will provide technical assistance, outreach, and education to grantees, conservation partners, and landowners on monitoring requirements, stewardship responsibilities, and farmland preservation programs. This includes developing and leading workshops and presentations, creating training materials, facilitating both virtual and in-person meetings, and serving as a resource for NCDA&CS leadership and staff. They will also prepare reports and program updates, and support initiatives that enhance the sustainability and viability of North Carolina’s working family farms. Training: The coordinator will develop and deliver standardized training on monitoring protocols and reporting requirements to promote consistent, accurate, and ethical stewardship practices across federal, State, local, nonprofit, and private partners.

Requirements

General knowledge of agriculture and natural resource conservation, including USDA and NCDA&CS programs.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with farmers, landowners, coworkers, government officials, nonprofit partners, and the general public.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in oral and written form.
Ability to work with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to work independently on projects with concurrent or varying deadlines.
Bachelor’s degree from appropriately accredited institution and one year of experience related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Nice To Haves

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Responsibilities

Review and approval of annual monitoring reports submitted by grantee organizations and division staff to ensure alignment with easement language, permitted uses, and contractual obligations.
Regular review of real estate and conservation documents, including surveys, baseline documentation reports, and environmental assessments.
Coordination of the Division’s annual monitoring schedule, including conducting on-site monitoring visits, which may involve overnight travel.
Manage and oversee the Division’s Geographic Information System (GIS) data, including map production, reviewing and approving GIS shapefiles, and maintaining the statewide easement viewer.
Maintain comprehensive and well-organized records, including monitoring reports, supporting documentation, and photographic evidence, in accordance with Division record retention policies.
Monitor and document potential issues in coordination with NCDA&CS leadership and Legal Affairs.
Maintain regular communication with easement holders, funding partners, and landowners to support adherence to project terms and promote long-term stewardship of agricultural conservation easements and ADFP Trust Fund–funded projects and plans.
Provide technical assistance, outreach, and education to grantees, conservation partners, and landowners on monitoring requirements, stewardship responsibilities, and farmland preservation programs.
Develop and lead workshops and presentations.
Create training materials.
Facilitate both virtual and in-person meetings.
Serve as a resource for NCDA&CS leadership and staff.
Prepare reports and program updates.
Support initiatives that enhance the sustainability and viability of North Carolina’s working family farms.
Develop and deliver standardized training on monitoring protocols and reporting requirements to promote consistent, accurate, and ethical stewardship practices across federal, State, local, nonprofit, and private partners.