Position Location: Remote, preferred location in the western U.S.
Position Term: Annual Contract Basis
Position Posting Close Date: Position posting will remain open until filled. Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis.
STAR Overview
STAR is a national, non-profit organization established to develop and
expand the STAR framework for conservation practice evaluation,
implementation, and valuation, to create a standardized approach for STAR
initiatives across the US, and to provide guidance and support for new and
existing STAR Affiliates. The goal of STAR is to facilitate successful and
sustained conservation practice adoption and implementation by farmers and
ranchers at scale by providing STAR Affiliates a comprehensive toolkit and
tailored guidance to empower producer success and to connect them to incentive
programs. The STAR framework includes a simple, straightforward, and free tool
developed by farmers and ranchers to increase voluntary conservation practice
implementation on agricultural lands. The STAR 1 to 5 rating system is used to
evaluate conservation practices on individual fields using a locally-driven,
science-based approach to effectively and efficiently scale grassroots
conservation efforts by incentivizing and rewarding the adoption of practices
that have relevance to producers and their supply chain partners. STAR bridges
the gap between producers’ perceptions of sustainability and outcomes-based
supply chain sustainability programs. Due to the growing interest in STAR, an
expansion is underway for a variety of cropland and grazing production systems
in the West and additional states in the Midwest. The national STAR
organization will lead the coordination, development, alignment, and expansion
of the STAR framework and STAR tool across the US by providing state STAR
Affiliates a comprehensive toolkit and tailored guidance to empower producer
success through conservation and to connect them to financial incentives for
practice implementation.
Program Manager Overview
The STAR Program Manager will be responsible for supporting the
establishment of new state-based STAR Affiliates and providing ongoing
guidance and support for existing STAR Affiliates. There is a large amount of
enthusiasm and interest in STAR in the Western U.S. and Midwest, so the
Program Manager will work closely with state-based contacts to funnel their
energies into the creation of strong, high-functioning STAR Affiliates that
align with the (national) STAR guidelines. Activities will include the
facilitation of Affiliate set-up and implementation components of the National
STAR Program; guiding and supporting STAR Affiliate programs with a focus on
the efficient startup of the STAR Affiliate to meet state level needs while
aligning with the STAR organization guidelines; collaborating with STAR
Affiliates and partners to develop innovative initiatives to strengthen and
expand STAR and increase producer participation across the US; and
contributing to the development of an improved STAR field verification process
and increased producer incentive opportunities. The Program Manager will work
to ensure the credibility and standardization of National STAR and STAR
Affiliates and work to track and evaluate state-based STAR results to inform
the continued improvement and development of pragmatic STAR framework
requirements. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in program
management; familiarity with agricultural conservation initiatives, incentive
programs, and market partners; a network of contacts in the Midwest and
Western U.S.; and an eye for innovation and the energy to initiate new
strategies.
Program Manager Responsibilities
Program Manager Required Qualifications
**Program Manager Preferred Qualifications
**Compensation and Benefits
Full-time remote contract position funded through at least December 1, 2026.
Compensation will be commensurate with education and experience.
Diversity & Inclusion Statement
STAR appreciates the talented and diverse people who help to meet its
mission and goals. We are stronger, more credible, and more effective when our
work includes highly qualified individuals with identities, backgrounds,
cultures and traditions that reflect our rich human diversity and improve
opportunities for all. This commitment is both a moral imperative consistent
with a community that celebrates individual differences and diversity, as well
as a matter of law.
STAR strives to create a company culture and working environment that is free of unlawful discrimination and harassment. STAR strictly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination based on an individual’s protected status, including but not limited to, persons of varying ages, ancestry, ethnicity, color, disability, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, political affiliation, socioeconomic and family status, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran or military status, geographic region, or any other characteristic protected by local or state laws.
As an organization, STAR maintains a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and harassment. This includes, but is not limited to: 1) providing a safe and trusted environment which protects anyone within our organization or anyone who we have contact with, including partners, grantors, and volunteers; 2) having adequate policies, procedures and measures to protect people and ensure that they are shared and understood; and 3) having absolute clarity as to how incidents and allegations will be handled should they arise, including reporting to the relevant authorities, including STAR-designated points of contact, as appropriate.
The STAR organizational culture reflects our ongoing commitment to build and maintain a safe and accepting work environment that supports the efforts of all of our team members and those who we work with, to effectively carry out its mission.
Required for Consideration: Interested applicants should send a tailored cover letter describing their interest and qualifications for the role and annual compensation requirements, together with a resume and possible start date to [email protected]. We will only consider applicants who provide all requested information.
Anywhere
2023-09-28 00:00