Pacific Northwest Grazing Specialist

American Farmland Trust•Ada, ID

1d•Remote

About The Position

American Farmland Trust (AFT) is seeking a Pacific Northwest Grazing Specialist to work directly with livestock producers, ranchers, grazing land managers, conservation partners, and agricultural service providers. The goal is to improve the ecological and economic viability of grazing operations throughout Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. This position will serve as the lead coordinator for the Pacific Northwest Grazing Network, a producer-led peer-to-peer learning and mentorship network. The network aims to accelerate the adoption of regenerative grazing management, improve soil health, strengthen drought resilience, enhance profitability, and support the long-term stewardship of working lands across the region. The Specialist will lead the development, coordination, and expansion of this regional network, modeled after AFT's Texas Grazing Network. This role involves producer outreach, mentor recruitment and support, educational programming, partnership development, and program evaluation. The successful candidate will collaborate with various stakeholders including livestock producers, grazing mentors, conservation districts, Cooperative Extension, NRCS, state agencies, tribal partners, universities, land trusts, and agricultural organizations to foster a community of practice focused on regenerative grazing and grassland stewardship. Key activities include facilitating peer-to-peer learning, coordinating mentors, developing educational resources, and supporting the implementation of grazing management strategies that benefit both environmental outcomes and ranch profitability.

Requirements

Direct experience working with livestock producers, ranchers, grazing land managers, agricultural landowners, and rural communities.
Demonstrated knowledge of grazing management principles, forage ecology, pasture management, rangeland systems, livestock production, and soil health.
Knowledge of USDA conservation programs, including NRCS technical and financial assistance programs, is required.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking, meeting facilitation, technical writing, and educational program development.
Experience organizing workshops, field days, conferences, and producer learning events.
Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a fully remote, collaborative team environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, virtual meeting platforms, and data management systems.
Possession of a valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation.
Minimum of five years of experience in grazing management, ranch management, livestock production, range science, conservation planning, agricultural technical assistance, or closely related fields; OR A bachelor's degree in range science, animal science, agronomy, soil science, agriculture, natural resources, environmental science, or a related discipline and at least three years of relevant professional experience.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with regenerative grazing systems and adaptive grazing management approaches to support the development of grazing management plans or conservation plans is strongly preferred.
Certified Range Management Consultant (CRMC), Certified Professional in Rangeland Management (CPRM), NRCS conservation planning experience, or similar credentials are desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

Recruit, train, support, and retain experienced grazing mentors throughout the Pacific Northwest and match producers with these grazing mentors based on geography, production systems, resource concerns, and learning objectives.
Collaborate with internal AFT staff and external technical advisors to address technical challenges and identify innovative grazing management solutions.
Coordinate regular mentor training events and professional development opportunities.
Develop and implement outreach strategies in collaboration with partners to engage livestock producers across diverse production systems and geographies.
Organize and coordinate field days, pasture walks, ranch tours, workshops, webinars, grazing schools, and other educational events.
Work with producers, mentors, and partners to showcase successful grazing management practices and producer-led innovations.
Represent AFT at agricultural conferences, producer meetings, trade shows, and conservation events.
Build and maintain strong relationships with regenerative grazing partners to identify opportunities for collaboration and resource sharing.
Participate in regional and national grazing, soil health, and working lands initiatives.
Contribute to grant implementation, reporting, program evaluation, and fundraising activities as needed.

Benefits

Excellent vacation
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.