Washington STAR is looking for the next STAR coordinator! Join the Washington State Department of Agriculture as the Market and Incentives Specialist. This role will be part of the dynamic WaSHI team and help improve the business case for soil health in Washington.
The Market and Incentives Specialist will:
- Manage and expand the STAR program:
- Serve as the primary liaison between Washington STAR and National STAR, other state affiliates, and the Washington STAR science and advisory teams
- Distribute STAR ratings and program materials to participating growers
- Manage the scientific rigor and timeliness of field verification
- Partner with and train conservation districts to use STAR in their operations and provide technical assistance to enrolled growers
- Pursue market and incentive opportunities for growers interested in soil health:
- Develop and implement STAR-exclusive incentives with private sector partners
- Engage the Washington food, fuel, and fiber sectors to integrate soil health into their supply chains
- Maintain awareness and respond proactively—including through grant writing—to opportunities within the Farm Bill, carbon markets, pilot programs, etc.
- Develop opportunities within crop insurance reform, landowner partnerships, agricultural finance and lending, and other innovative partnerships
- Promote STAR and the business case for soil health through outreach and education:
- Present at grower conferences, meetings, and webinars to educate and enroll interested producers in STAR
- Aggregate and communicate soil health and financial opportunities through program newsletters, blogs, and website updates
The ideal candidate will:
- Have experience with and a strong interest in:
- managing a business or growth-minded program
- grant writing
- outreach and education
- marketing and promotion
- Be meticulously organized and excel at multi-tasking—able to handle complex long-term projects through developing incremental timelines and strategic frameworks
- Understand the principles, practices, benefits, and barriers to conservation practice adoption
- Have excellent written and oral communication skills
Apply (or help us spread the word!) at bit.ly/WASTARjob before October 1st.
