Hiring: Farmland Preservation Specialist – Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources is hiring for a Farmland Preservation Specialist.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) mission is to help keep the Massachusetts’ food supply safe and secure, and to work to keep Massachusetts agriculture economically and environmentally sound.

The Department of Agricultural Resources is seeking an enthusiastic and self-motivated individual who is passionate about farm preservation.  The successful candidate will be a strong communicator with knowledge of agricultural practices and norms and/or conservation restriction acquisition.

The position is within the Acquisition branch of the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program and combines telework, field work, and office work. Currently 1 office day per week is expected but more is available if preferred.  The position location is TBD out of one of MDAR’s field offices in Southborough, West Springfield, Lakeville, or Boston.

The APR program is a groundbreaking conservation program – the first of its kind in the nation that has since protected over 930 farms totaling over 73,000 acres.  The program focuses on preserving and stewarding farmland and maintaining affordable land access to both established and beginning farmers.  We do this through the purchase and stewardship of agricultural preservation restrictions and options to purchase at agricultural value.  Currently, the program is spearheading a statewide Agricultural Land Action Plan that will build off and unify pertinent statewide plans such as the Massachusetts 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap, the Massachusetts Healthy Soils Action Plan, the Massachusetts Local Food Action Plan, and the Resilient Lands Initiative Vision and Strategy.  The program also continues to implement program enhancements based on emerging needs and challenges.

The Farmland Preservation Specialist will report to the APR Acquisition Coordinator and is primarily responsible for:  Identifying, cultivating, planning, managing and coordinating APR farmland restriction acquisitions.  While acquisitions for this position are intended to be primarily in the region of the state assigned (TBD), work assignments may be made on a statewide basis depending on need.  Ideal candidates will have appropriate experience to hit the ground running, however, there are opportunities for training if needed.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply by July 10.

For more detailed information and to apply, click here: https://massanf.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2200070A