Job Description

This position is in a small and professional organization, with strong support by its grower membership. The director will oversee conservation, environmental, and innovation issues impacting sugarbeet growers. This requires a balanced approach on pesticides, sustainability, precision agriculture, and emerging technologies.

Creative and analytical thinking, dynamic leadership and excellent communication skills are required. The director will collaborate in industry and coalition meetings, on federal comments, federal grant opportunities, creating effective presentations, and understand  emerging technologies.

The director will work closely with an industry where collaboration and creativity are highly valued. Organizational skills, reliability, and attention to detail are very important for success in this position. This is a tremendous opportunity to maximize and expand one’s talents and skills.

Duties and Responsibilities

Industry Collaboration:  Collaborate and communicate, across the sugarbeet industry. Collaborate with other commodity and farm organizations, seed, and pesticide company reps. A team player is essential.

Regulatory:  Serve as primary association point person for regulatory work. The position will require collaborating on industry administrative efforts.  Much of this work is done at EPA and USDA.

Legislative: Work with the Vice President of Government Affairs on any legislative proposals or initiatives.

Research: The beet industry benefits from a mix of public and private research funding.  This position will be the point position for the association to track and transmit that work to staff and the board of directors.

Technology: Beet growers are continuously looking at new technology to improve farming outcomes. This position will track technology that comes online to improve outcomes, reduce inputs, or mitigate risk.   

Comprehensive benefit package is provided. Salary commensurate with skills and experience.

For immediate consideration, send resumes and references to: palther@americansugarbeet.org

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in agricultural sciences required.  Master's Degree or Ph.D. desired.

Experience in Agriculture; understanding of farmers and the agricultural industry

Strong knowledge of the regulatory and administrative process, administrative experience

Minimum of five years of public policy experience

Superior writing, editing, communication and presentation skills

Demonstrated ability to identify and prioritize tasks, manage projects and meet deadlines

Strong understanding of federal pesticide, conservation, environmental sustainability and climate programs

Strong administration contacts (EPA & USDA)

Past regulatory or environmental research experience

Travel: approximately 10% after initial research facility visits.