Alberta Grains Commission is the amalgamated commission formed by joining the Alberta Barley and the Alberta Wheat Commissions. Alberta Grains is committed to advancing and promoting the interests of 18,000 wheat and barley farmers in the province of Alberta. We continue to foster innovation, research and development, and sustainability in the agriculture sector. By bringing together the best of both commissions, our aim is to leverage the combined resources, knowledge and experience to deliver unparalleled value to farmers.

The Agronomy Programs Specialist, reporting to the Director of Research, Extension, and Agronomy works closely with the research and extension staff to oversee the development and implementation of agronomy-related initiatives and projects.

Job Type: This is a full-time role with the ability to work remotely up to two days a week.

Job duties include, but are not limited to:

Plot2Farm On-Farm Research Program

https://www.albertagrains.com/plot2farmupdate?/plot2farm

• Ensure the progress and success of the Plot2Farm program through active engagement with Alberta farmers, the Alberta Grains board, and the Director of Agronomy & Extension.
• Increase awareness and farmer participation.
• Foster collaborative partnerships with various public and private groups
• Plan and drive the extension efforts of the Plot2Farm program
• Collaborate with the extension team to disseminate Plot2Farm results to farmers and industry
• Manage the program budget
• Ensure accurate reporting of research funds to funders
• Develop and submit funding proposals the leverage Alberta Grains investment in on-farm research
• Maintain knowledge and awareness of on-farm research techniques in different growing regions – adopt and adapt new techniques that add value to alberta farmers and participants
• Provide updates of program progress to the Alberta Grains extension committee

Collaborative Field Day Events

• Oversee planning, execution, and reporting of Alberta Grains agronomic diagnostic collaborative field day events.
• Work with partners to ensure event success through demonstration planning, inter-event alignment and inclusion of relevant agronomic topics
• Collaborate with researchers to design agronomic demonstrations.
• Maintain event and demonstration plot budgets through ongoing discussions with collaborative partners
• Manage funding and oversee planning for demonstration projects in Alberta.
• Work with the research and extension team to align current research initiatives with extension events and demonstrations
• Drive new collaborations that provide value to the wheat and barley farmers of Alberta
• Provide updates of program progress to the Alberta Grains extension committee

Regional Variety Trials (RVTs)

https://www.albertagrains.com/wheat-and-barley-regional-variety-trial-tables

• Oversee the progress and success of Alberta cereal Regional Variety Trials.
• Ensure accurate reporting of RVT research funds.
• Ensure the continuation of the RVT trial program through grant applications and reporting.
• Drive program success through continued industry collaboration that fits farmer needs.
• Play an active role in the Alberta Region Variety Advisory Committee as an Alberta Grains representative
• Work closely with Alberta Grains finance team to ensure appropriate financial reporting
• Provide updates of program progress to the Alberta Grains extension committee

Research and Extension Department Team Member

• Support the review of research proposals through the various research funding streams including Agriculture Funding Consortium and Agriculture Development Fund
• Seek opportunities for high-value agronomy knowledge and extension collaborations in Alberta.
• Build strong relationships with colleagues, researchers, and industry stakeholders.
• Maintain industry relationships to develop and execute partnered extension opportunities.
• Integrate agronomy project extension work with other efforts in collaboration with the agronomy extension specialist.
• Develop new industry relationships that help to drive the Alberta Grains Agronomy Program initiatives and priorities
• Continue to develop and drive yet-to-be-released Agronomy Program initiatives by fostering relationships and developing program structure

General Responsibilities

• Promote awareness of and extend the results of agronomic projects and programs.
• Present and speak at grower/industry events.
• Develop extension materials.
• Encourage industry collaboration on projects.
• Work closely with the Agronomy Extension Specialist to develop extension materials.
• Develop reports and updates for the Director and Board as needed.
• Support the collaborative review of research proposals for funding.
• Write and assist with grants, secure funding, and submit grant reports.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience and qualifications:

• Proven ability to drive new initiatives, present new concepts to industry partners, and shape successful programs
• Degree in agriculture or related science program
• Current Professional Agrologist designation with a Crop Production or similar Practice Area
• 5+ years of agronomic experience in Western Canadian agriculture
• Understand the assessment of small and large-scale research trial quality
• Knowledge of Canadian agriculture, specifically field crop production
• Strong relationships within the agricultural industry
• Desire to learn and a proven ability to collaborate
• Proven ability to initiate and drive long-term collaborative projects
• Superior communication, written and oral presentation skills
• Tenacious attention to detail
• Proven ability to translate scientific and technical writing to for a general audience;
• Excellent relationship-building skills, with the ability to multi-task and prioritize;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced in-person and virtual work environment
• Ability to travel (up to 20% of the time)
  

What we offer:

• Competitive base salary
• 3 weeks' annual vacation (moving to 4 weeks after 4 full years of service)
• 6 paid sick days each year
• Employer paid Group Benefits including Life Insurance, AD&D, Health and Dental (Short- and Long-Term Disability premiums are paid for by the employee), eligible after 3 months of employment
• Matched RRSP program of up to 5% of base salary, eligible after 3 months of employment

Alberta Grains supports a diverse and inclusive work environment and welcomes applications from all qualified applicants. You must be legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.