Tag Archive for: Career

Executive Director

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is seeking an energetic, passionate, experienced and collaborative Executive Director to provide visionary leadership to its dynamic staff, board, and partners. In joining NCAT’s staff, the Executive Director must be deeply committed to public service and to becoming part of our high performing, passionate, and diverse team.

Founded in 1976, NCAT is a national, private nonprofit organization providing trusted, individualized technical assistance, hands-on training opportunities, practical educational resources, and peer-to-peer learning networks on nationally acclaimed projects in food, agriculture, energy, and climate resilience. NCAT has field offices in 11 states. At close of 2022, the organization had an annual budget of $7 million, with major additional funding expected to be finalized in 2023 for roles or leadership in five Climate Smart Agriculture Partnerships, plus additional new agriculture and energy projects. NCAT is committed to advancing racial equity and inclusion in its work and organization.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The position requires either:

  • A master’s degree in Agriculture, Energy, Sustainability, Environmental Studies, Business or Nonprofit Management, Engineering, or related field, plus a minimum of 10 years of professional management experience; or
  • A Bachelor’s degree in a related field along with a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience, including extensive program management.

Applicants must have successful management experience in the nonprofit sector, working with the government sector or foundations at the senior level. The position also requires a proven track record of delivering superior results and strategic plan implementation. Preference will be given to applicants with background and experience in sustainable agriculture, sustainable energy, rural development; and climate mitigation or adaptation.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

  • Having and communicating a commitment and passion for NCAT’s mission, work, and high standards, through outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, including writing;
  • A thorough understanding of nonprofit organizational structure, from board of directors to staff roles; finance; business functions and systems, including strategic development and planning, budgeting, IT, and human resources;
  • Exceptional capacity for managing and leading people; building teams and modeling flexibility, adaptability, and commitment to foster a positive work environment; and connecting to staff both as individuals and team members;
  • Capacity to enforce accountability, develop and empower leaders from the bottom-up and lead from the top down, cultivate entrepreneurship, and learn the strengths and weaknesses of different teams, putting people in a position to succeed;
  • Ability to think critically, articulate strategic vision, and anticipate future consequences and trends in order to incorporate them into organizational planning;
  • Ability to work with CFO and senior management to prepare and manage the budget and to forecast and ensure sustainable, diverse funding streams, including demonstrated success in obtaining federal, state, and foundation grants, major gifts, and funding from other sources;
  • Knowledge of local, state, and national political landscapes including funding, public policy, pragmatic collaborations, and best practices;
  • History of effective collaboration with partners to optimize an organization’s agenda;
  • Proven success in roles requiring execution of multiple tasks while responding to multiple priorities, as well as ability to work with efficiency, flexibility, and good humor;
  • Experience, including lived experience if applicable, on issues of racial justice and addressing racial, gender, and other forms of discrimination;
  • Being a self-starter and courageous, with spark, imagination, and creativity; and remaining focused in the face of pressure, unintimidated by tasks, timelines, and limitations.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Work directly with the Board of Directors to establish strategic plans, organizational goals, and policies to further NCAT’s mission;
  • Lead, manage, and support the organization, inspiring passion and providing an overall vision;
  • Work with staff to develop and implement project-focused funding strategies;
  • Build, develop, and maintain productive working relationships with collaborators and partners for NCAT mission-related work;
  • Work with staff and Board to identify staffing strategies for the organization and to ensure operational resources needed for growth;
  • Work with Executive Team to develop projects, identify funding sources, and maintain sufficient staff and resource capacity;
  • Work with Chief Operating Officer and Executive Team to manage ongoing programs including staff, budgets and program deliverables;
  • Work with Chief Financial Officer on fiscal management including audit and evaluation, planning, budgeting, and maintaining strong, sustainable finance capabilities for the organization;
  • Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization and externally through collaboration, partners, and stakeholders;
  • Lead communications and relationships with partners and stakeholders; and
  • Execute all other reasonable requests from the Board of Directors.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:
$130,000 to $150,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. Excellent benefits include paid vacation and holidays, health, life and disability insurance, a cafeteria and 401(k) plan, and a pleasant, professional working environment. NCAT will pay reasonable relocation costs.

LOCATION:
It is strongly preferred that the Executive Director be located in our historic headquarters in the beautiful mountain community of Butte, Montana. Applicants must be willing to travel.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applications will be accepted through May 15, 2023 or until a suitable candidate is identified. Early applications are encouraged. All persons interested in being considered for the position must submit a current resume and cover letter highlighting their experience and skills at https://ncat.bamboohr.com/jobs/.

Questions about the application process can be directed to: Kriss Sullivan, Director of Human Resources; email: jobs@ncat.org.

For convenience this announcement is also available in PDF format.

NCAT’s mission is to help people build resilient communities through local and sustainable solutions that reduce poverty, strengthen self-reliance, and protect natural resources.    Our work brings together diverse partnerships and communities to help reduce poverty and protect our natural resources.  We strive to be a multicultural organization that embraces the rich dimensions of diversity such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical ability, religious or political belief and marital or veteran status.  Diversity creates healthy communities.  Special consideration will be given to applicants who are reflective of the communities that we serve.  NCAT is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Carbon Farm Planners – Northern Great Plains

The National Center for Appropriate Technology or NCAT has been helping people build resilient communities through local and sustainable solutions that reduce poverty, strengthen self-reliance, and protect natural resources since 1976. NCAT is a trusted, practical, connector for individuals and businesses who are working to leave our world better than we found it. Through individualized technical assistance, hands-on training opportunities, in-depth educational resources, and peer-to-peer learning networks, NCAT works to foster and promote sustainable technologies and systems, especially for the benefit of economically disadvantaged individuals and communities. NCAT’s work includes nationally recognized projects in energy, agriculture, food, and rural development.

NCAT is seeking three full-time Carbon Farm Planners to help woolgrowers in the Northern Great Plains plan and implement conservation practices that improve climate resilience, sequester carbon, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The primary duty of the planners will be to work closely with woolgrowers in Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota to complete detailed Carbon Farm Plans (CFPs) for their properties that identify and prioritize on-farm opportunities for carbon capture and storage. Planners also provide technical assistance for implementation of practices identified in the plan, verify implementation and assist with project monitoring, and coordinate climate-smart agriculture efforts with local partner organizations and agencies. Planners will also act as connectors between the ag community and groups offering resources for improving soil health, drought resiliency, and climate adaptation.

The successful candidates for these positions will be required to set up and work from a remote office in Montana, Wyoming, or South Dakota, and must be willing and able to travel frequently throughout their specified region to farms, events, workshops, and trainings as needed. (Candidates located near NCAT’s Headquarters in Butte Montana have the option of an office located in the NCAT HQ Campus)

QUALIFICATIONS:

This position requires a BA/BS degree in agriculture, environmental science, natural resource management, or related fields and a minimum of five years of farming experience. Applicants with equivalent but different combinations of education and experience will be considered. While not required, preference is for candidates with experience in animal (especially sheep) agriculture in the Northern Great Plains; experience in building soil health through regenerative ranching and farming; and demonstrated competence/certification in whole farm planning, such as NRCS conservation planner certification. New hires are required to successfully complete the Carbon Cycle Institute’s Carbon Farm Planning Training and Curriculum and become a Certified Carbon Farm Planner within 6 months of hire. (NCAT will provide the Carbon Cycle Institute’s Carbon Farm Planning Training for Certification. The training requires 2-4 hours/week for a period of 3 weeks.)

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

  • Commitment and passion for the NCAT mission;
  • Strong knowledge of animal agriculture in the Northern Great Plains and familiarity with ag-related organizations and government agencies;
  • Familiarity with concepts of sustainability and regenerative agricultural practices;
  • Experience working with land managers and agricultural producers in conservation planning, whole farm planning, climate adaptation planning, soil health planning, and/or carbon farming planning and implementation;
  • Competence in GIS mapping, data management, and using software such as the Web Soil Survey and the Rangeland Analysis Platform;
  • Competence with Microsoft Office and Google Suite;
  • Knowledge of Northern Great Plains ecology, native plants and wildlife, soils, and climate;
  • Excellent attention to detail and demonstrated verbal and written communication skills;
  • Exceptional ability to communicate and build constructive, professional relationships with farmers, ranchers, community organizations, government agencies, partners, private contractors, Tribal staff and citizens, resource professionals, and the general public;
  • Ability to recognize and successfully pursue additional or alternative funding sources for high-priority projects and partnerships;
  • Strong analytical and problem solving skills;
  • Self-directed and organized with ability to work independently to meet multiple deadlines;
  • Exceptional ability to work productively both independently and in a collaborative team setting;
  • Ability to coordinate groups and teams and manage time effectively on multiple projects;
  • Ability to sit, walk, and listen for up to 8 hours per day;
  • Ability to conduct on-farm field work in challenging terrain, weather, and climate conditions while carrying up to 30 pounds;
  • And the willingness and ability to travel around the state, region, and on occasion out of the state. Travel may involve flexible work hours, including evenings, weekends, and some overnight travel may be required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Promote and support NCAT’s mission;
  • Provide regionally appropriate technical assistance for conservation practice adoption to woolgrowers via in-person site visits as well as by phone, email, social media, workshops, and field demonstrations;
  • Serve as point person to work collaboratively with agricultural producers, staff of NCAT and the Carbon Cycle Institute, and technical assistance providers such as staff of NRCS, Conservation Districts, Watershed groups, and university extension agents to develop technical CFPs that reflect farmer goals and include a suite of recommended NRCS-conservation practice standards with quantifiable GHG or carbon sequestration benefits;
  • Collect data and prepare quarterly project reports towards outcomes and goals, such as implementation acres, practices implemented, quantifiable GHG benefits, farm productivity, and the marketing and sales of agricultural products grown using climate-friendly practices;
  • Create educational and outreach materials such as tip sheets, workshop content, public presentations;
  • Assist with written and visual content for periodic progress reports and press releases;
  • Assist in arranging educational activities, such as field days, pasture walks, Climate Resilience Demonstration Days, and one regional capstone conference;
  • Cultivate peer-to-peer producer learning communities;
  • Develop and maintain positive, productive, professional relationships with producers, coworkers, partner organizations, agencies, research institutions, and Tribes as part of program delivery;
  • Maintain understanding of the full range of compatible agricultural and conservation programs currently available in the region, and effectively connect producers to these opportunities;
  • Carry out diversity and inclusion efforts, including outreach to small and historically underserved producers to embed equity within NCAT’s outreach efforts;
  • Present at conferences, producer association meetings, stakeholder meetings, and other appropriate forums;
  • Contribute content for promotional communications and outreach activities, such as blogs, podcasts, press releases, earned media pushes, and video production;
  • Participate in creation and/or delivery of promotional and educational media related to climate beneficial practices for woolgrowers;
  • And stay abreast of current and emerging research in the field of agricultural conservation planning, soil health, wool production, and agricultural practices that have proven GHG benefit.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: $52,000-$58,000 annually depending on work status, qualifications, and experience. Excellent benefits include flexible schedule, paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, a cafeteria and 401(k) plan and a pleasant, professional environment.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate can be identified. Early applications are encouraged. Applicants are encouraged to visit www.ncat.org  and www.attra.ncat.org to learn more about NCAT. NCAT employees interested in the position should email Human Resources a letter of interest as soon as possible. All persons interested in being considered for the position must submit an NCAT application and upload a resume and cover letter through BambooHR. To start the application process please visit NCAT Employment Application and complete the online supplemental application. Incomplete applications or references on the application to “see resume” will not be considered. The next part of the process is uploading a current resume and a cover letter highlighting experience and skills relevant to the listed qualifications. Resume and cover letters can be uploaded at https://ncat.bamboohr.com/jobs/. Simply choose the position you are applying for and then click “apply for this job” to upload the required resume and cover letter. Questions about the application process can be directed to:

Kriss Sullivan, Director of Human Resources

email: jobs@ncat.org

For convenience this announcement is also available in PDF format.

NCAT’s mission is to help people build resilient communities through local and sustainable solutions that reduce poverty, strengthen self-reliance, and protect natural resources.    Our work brings together diverse partnerships and communities to help reduce poverty and protect our natural resources.  We strive to be a multicultural organization that embraces the rich dimensions of diversity such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical ability, religious or political belief and marital or veteran status. Diversity creates healthy communities. Special consideration will be given to applicants who are reflective of the communities that we serve. NCAT is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Call Center Representative – National Energy Assistance Referral Specialist

The National Center for Appropriate Technology or NCAT has been helping people build resilient communities through local and sustainable solutions that reduce poverty, strengthen self-reliance, and protect natural resources since 1976. NCAT is a trusted, practical, connector for individuals and businesses who are working to leave our world better than we found it. NCAT works to foster and promote sustainable technologies and systems, especially for the benefit of economically disadvantaged individuals and communities. NCAT’s work includes nationally recognized projects in energy, agriculture, food, and rural development.

NCAT is seeking a part-time, Bilingual (English/ Spanish) Call Center Representative – National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) Specialist to work with our Administrative Services Director and administrative team in NCAT’s Butte, Montana, office. This position will provide support for people all around the United States on NEAR Services.

QUALIFICATIONS:
The successful applicant will have strong verbal communication skills, writing skills, computer skills, and the ability to work independently as well as part of the NCAT team. The applicant must have Bilingual speaking skills (English/Spanish). The successful candidate will need to prioritize work assignments and to maintain information of a confidential nature.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Our NEAR Program Referral Specialists provide information and referrals on availability of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), via phone and email, by looking up information on a national database. The position will record information regarding phone and email requests to identify information requested, state, and response provided. The specialist may also help on other projects as needed.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:
This position is 20 hours to 30 hours /week with a starting wage of $15.30/hour depending on skills, qualifications, and experience. Benefits, paid leave, holidays, 401(k), life insurance, Long Term Disability, dental, and vision plan options.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate can be identified. Early applications are encouraged. Applicants are encouraged to visit www.ncat.org and www.attra.ncat.org to learn more about NCAT. NCAT employees interested in the position should email Human Resources a letter of interest as soon as possible. All persons interested in being considered for the position must submit an NCAT application and upload a resume and cover letter through BambooHR. To start the application process please visit NCAT Employment Application and complete the online supplemental application. Incomplete applications or references on the application to “see resume” will not be considered. The next part of the process is uploading a current resume and a cover letter highlighting experience and skills relevant to the listed qualifications. Resume and cover letters can be uploaded at https://ncat.bamboohr.com/jobs/. Simply choose the position you are applying for and then click “apply for this job” to upload the required resume and cover letter. Questions about the application process can be directed to:
Kriss Sullivan, Director of Human Resources
email: jobs@ncat.org

For convenience this announcement is also available in PDF format.

NCAT’s mission is to help people build resilient communities through local and sustainable solutions that reduce poverty, strengthen self-reliance, and protect natural resources. Our work brings together diverse partnerships and communities to help reduce poverty and protect our natural resources. We strive to be a multicultural organization that embraces the rich dimensions of diversity such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical ability, religious or political belief and marital or veteran status. Diversity creates healthy communities. Special consideration will be given to applicants who are reflective of the communities that we serve. NCAT is an Equal Opportunity Employer.