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Looking for and Finding Jobs in Ag Conservation

New career opportunities within the growing field of agricultural conservation are being announced. Here are a few places where you can start your search for these positions.

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Updated:

September 11, 2024

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Training for New Ag Conservation Professionals. Photo credit: Erin Trouba

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New career opportunities within the growing field of agricultural conservation are being announced for those with a variety of backgrounds and skill sets. You can find job announcements within this sector advertised on many different platforms. Here are a few places that you can start.

The Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training (CACAT) re-posts current job openings in the agricultural conservation-related jobs in Pennsylvania in one place. Check this job board first in your job hunt to see what's currently open within the sector.

You can also go right to the source and find job announcements on the websites of the organizations that are hiring. The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) job page has availabilities at the county level across the Commonwealth for a wide variety of positions. Other positions in state and federal government can be found on their respective websites, where you can use keywords and filters to find the right fit for you based on location and other factors. Useful keywords that turn up many relevant positions include: 'agriculture,' 'conservation,' 'environmental,' and 'soil.' Non-profit and private sector partners usually have a page on their website dedicated to openings for jobs, internships, and even volunteer opportunities.

You can also let the job openings come to you! Follow agriculture conservation organizations on social media, especially on LinkedIn. Sign up for the newsletters of organizations you might be interested in working for, or that share job openings. Here are three newsletters that regularly include job positions:

PACD Newsletter
Lancaster Clean Water Partners newsletter
Bay Brief (Chesapeake Bay Program)

Networking is another option for job hunting in this sector. Events that you can attend as a member of the public are often included in newsletters or on the organization's social media pages. Some of these events may be exclusive for members, so you may consider becoming a member of an organization that you're interested in working for so that you can familiarize yourself with what they do. Career fairs present another chance to meet and network with prospective employers, co-workers, and colleagues in agricultural conservation.

Membership in professional organizations that are relevant to agricultural conservation, such as the Soil and Water Conservation Society or the American Society of Agronomy, can be invaluable for finding resources and job listings and a good opportunity for networking.

General online job boards are also great places to search for openings, but don't underestimate the power of informational interviews and reaching out to professionals in the field for advice. Keep in mind that every ag conservation professional was once also on the job hunt. Stay persistent, adaptable, and proactive, and you may just find the job that you've been looking for!

If you are relatively new to the sector and want to build some experience, check out these internships and volunteer opportunities: