The King Conservation District is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as a

Climate Special Projects Coordinator – Regional Leadership in Climate Smart Agriculture

THIS POSITION IS REPRESENTED BY COUNCIL 2 - THE WASHINGTON STATE COUNCIL OF COUNTY AND CITY EMPLOYEES

Job Title:                     Climate Special Projects Coordinator

Job Classification:       Resource Coordinator 4

Salary:                         $85,715.88

Job Summary:

The position of Climate Special Projects Coordinator will serve as a regional leader and resource on climate smart agriculture, working alongside King Conservation District (KCD) resource planners, specialists, grant coordinators, local and state agencies, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and farm businesses. This role will emphasize the integration of climate resilience and regenerative agricultural practices into sustainable land management strategies. The coordinator will spearhead collaboration efforts to develop on-farm test sites for hands-on education and training for farmers, while advancing soil health, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration across King County.

The Climate Special Projects Coordinator will lead the integration of climate-smart agricultural practices into local programs, providing critical support and guidance to partners, agricultural producers, and residents, helping them adapt to climate change and mitigate environmental impacts. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of agricultural sustainability in the region.

Work is varied and complex, frequently applying advanced principles and concepts in day-to-day work.  Actions are often mid-term, focused on what, how, and why. Helps plan program goals and objectives.  May be accountable for some program results.

Job Responsibilities:

• Regional Leadership and Collaboration:
• Serve as a regional leader and key resource for advancing climate-smart agricultural practices, working with local and state agencies, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and farm businesses to drive shared goals.
• Collaborate with resource planners, specialists, and grant coordinators to integrate climate-smart practices into conservation plans, technical assistance, and grant projects.
• Provide guidance and technical expertise on climate resilience strategies, emphasizing regenerative agriculture and carbon removal practices.
• Work with farmers and farmland owners to enhance viability of commercial farm business through the integration of climate smart practices
• Develop and facilitate regional networks, partnerships, and learning exchanges to share knowledge and resources, helping stakeholders align their climate strategies and actions.
• Climate Projects Development and Innovation:
• Lead efforts to identify, develop, and standardize best management practices (BMPs) that enhance climate resilience, soil health, and emissions reductions in agricultural landscapes.
• Collaborate with King County and external stakeholders, to design and implement on-farm test sites that serve as demonstration and training hubs for climate-smart and regenerative agricultural practices.
• Stay informed on the latest climate change projections, research, and agricultural innovations, ensuring KCD’s strategies reflect current science and best practices.
• Develop and oversee special projects addressing climate resilience, focusing on agriculture and working lands, while centralizing resources for BMP development and implementation.
• Quantification and Reporting of Benefits:
• Lead the development of metrics and methodologies for assessing the environmental and economic benefits of BMPs, with a focus on soil health, carbon sequestration, hazard resilience, and water quality improvements.
• Work with KCD and partners to track and quantify the impact of regenerative agricultural practices, including greenhouse gas emissions reductions, carbon storage, and ecosystem services.
• Develop and implement robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track progress and assess the effectiveness of climate-smart initiatives, ensuring that outcomes are measurable and impactful.
• Prepare reports, case studies, and other materials that demonstrate the success of these practices and inform broader policy discussions and funding opportunities.
• Outreach, Education, and Training:
• Coordinate and facilitate educational workshops, on-site demonstrations, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities, focusing on BMPs that promote climate resilience, sustainability, and regenerative farming practices.
• Work closely with KCD’s education program to design and deliver training sessions for farmers, ranchers, and landowners on climate-smart agriculture techniques.
• Develop and distribute educational resources, including materials on climate adaptation, carbon removal, and soil health strategies, to increase awareness and drive adoption of these practices across the region.
• Collaboration and Partnership Development:
• Foster strong relationships with key partners, including King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP), Washington State University (WSU), and local agricultural businesses, to advance climate-smart agriculture.
• Lead the development of demonstration farms and on-farm trials to showcase climate-resilient agricultural practices, including working with private landowners to establish a network of model farms.
• Partner with organizations like WSU, Zero Foodprint, and King County SWD to implement research projects and share findings with the broader community.
• Assist in the development of Whole Farm Stewardship Plans for King County-owned farms, supporting their transition to climate-resilient operations.
• Regional Advocacy:
• Champion climate-smart agriculture at the local, regional, and state levels, advocating for policies, funding, and partnerships that support sustainable land management and climate resilience.
• Represent KCD at regional climate and agricultural forums, collaborating with other stakeholders to drive collective action on climate change adaptation and mitigation in agriculture.
• Serve as a resource and consultant for farmers and producers seeking guidance on best practices for climate-smart agriculture.

Training and Supervision:

The occupant of this position will perform duties under the supervision of the Executive Director with assistance from the Senior Director of Stewardship Programs. 

Competencies:

• Operates with autonomy in many situations. Initiates or takes action at own discretion.  Has discretion to set own priorities.  May seek guidance as to general results expected on new and complex assignments.  May sometimes determine the priorities of others.
• Uses own judgement when resolving issues or making decision. Investigates problems independently and communicates high-level finding to others.  Usually decides on and implements solutions independently.
• Separates and combines activities into efficient workflow.
• Designs processes and procedures that allow managing from a distance.
• Marshals resources and gets the most out of limited resources.
• May work weekend days and weekday evenings at least 2-3 times per month to help support volunteer, education, outreach, and partner events.
• Less than 5 percent of the job duties may be combined with other duties as required by the District.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Must be competent in reading, writing, speaking, hearing, and understanding the English language. Good communication and multi-tasking skills required for interaction with coworkers, Board members, agency partners, and land managers/operators. 
• Adept with all office equipment including computers, network servers, Internet, and e-mail.  Use of computers to write reports, track work products, prepare and record field and technical data. Adept with MS Office software, including Excel spreadsheets, Teams and Zoom. 
• Ability to work full-time schedule with overtime if needed with prior approval 
• Knowledge of and rudimentary use of GIS software programs. 

Education and Experience:

• Experience and Certification and/or Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in environmental science, agronomy, climate change, or a related field.
• 5-7 years of experience in climate change, sustainability, or agriculture-related initiatives.
• Expertise in regenerative agricultural practices, climate adaptation and mitigation, and carbon removal strategies for working lands.
• Proven ability to engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including farmers, agencies, nonprofits, academic institutions, and businesses.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and facilitation skills, with experience in delivering educational content and building networks across sectors.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on translating data into actionable insights that drive impact and inform strategy.

Desired Qualifications:

• Current resource or conservation experience is preferred.
• Experience and Certification and/or Master’s degree or equivalent experience in environmental science, agronomy, climate change, or a related field.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to drive in and throughout King County using a district vehicle  
• A driver's license is required when driving district vehicles. 

Full-Time, Non-Exempt Position:

This position will start at the hiring Grade of 27, Step 1, currently at $ 85,715.88 annually. After passing a successful probation, candidates will automatically move to step 2 within the salary band.

Benefits:

The District offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid vacation and holidays, medical and dental, a nominal life insurance policy with the option to increase coverage at employee’s expense, support for trainings, and participation in the State of Washington Retirement System (PERS).

Work Schedule:

Full Time, 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday work schedule. Some weekend and evening work is occasionally required.

Office Location:

800 SW 39th St, Suite 150, Renton, WA  98057

King Conservation District is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.

About Us: King Conservation District (KCD) is a natural resources assistance agency authorized by Washington State and guided by the Washington State Conservation Commission. Our mission is to promote the sustainable use of natural resources through responsible stewardship. A five-member Board of Supervisors is responsible for overseeing all KCD programs and activities. KCD promotes conservation through demonstration projects, educational events, providing technical assistance and, in some cases, providing or pointing the way to funds which may be available for projects. KCD has no regulatory or enforcement authority and only works with those who choose to work with KCD.KCD’s service area includes 34 cities and all of unincorporated King County with the exclusion of City of Enumclaw, City of Federal Way, City of Milton, City of Pacific and City of Skykomish. To learn more, visit KCD’s website at www.kingcd.org