Ocean Hour Farm is one of the last remaining active farms on the south end of Aquidneck Island. The rugged and rolling coastal pastures and historic stone village provide a unique character to this 43.2 acre bucolic farm. Its mission is to serve as a center for education, scientific research, and demonstration of regenerative agricultural practices. The property is adjacent to the Narragansett Bay, making it an ideal location for highlighting the critical connection between land use and ocean health. The vision of the farm is to provide a living example of regenerative land stewardship – an integrated system where plants, animals, and people heal ecosystems while producing food and fiber for the community.

Running the farm is truly a collaborative effort. All employees, no matter the department, participate in some capacity in carrying out educational programming, research activities and whole systems design work for the farm. All roles will therefore require excellent organizational skills, the ability to collaborate with staff in other departments as well as a deep understanding of the land to sea connection.

Job Title: Data Coordinator (Full-time, Non-Exempt)

Location: Ocean Hour Farm, Newport, Rhode Island, https://oceanhourfarm.org

JOB SUMMARY

The Data & Content Coordinator will support Ocean Hour Farm’s community-building and communications efforts by collecting, organizing, and publishing quantitative and qualitative data created by Ocean Hour Farm and its partners. The candidate must have a keen interest in regenerative agriculture, data collection, and interpretation and a willingness to try creative approaches to scientific communications. Content output will focus on case studies, data visualizations, and infographics.

This regular full-time position is based in Newport, RI, and reports to the Senior Communications & Data Visualization Manager.

Data Collection Systems Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Communications Manager and other farm staff, utilize Project Approval Forms, meetings and conversations to analyze, adapt, improve and implement data collection systems across all farm projects. Content to be collected includes numerical data, project installation photographs, videography, design files, and written content or interviews.
• Lead the creation and implementation of a data collection storage system in cloud-based software to enable access across staff and sibling organizations.
• Research data collected and published by similar organizations; support the Communications Manager in brainstorming ways to showcase the knowledge gained by onsite regenerative agriculture trials.
• Build relationships with internal and external organizations, focusing on University partnerships for cross-collaboration on data collection and sharing. Stay informed about industry trends, open source data, and science communications and collaborate with the communications manager to implement new ideas.

Fieldwork Support Responsibilities

• Support data collection by creating a protocol for effective and efficient data collection, setting up these systems in the field, and monitoring data collection systems collaboratively with all staff members.
• Support staff with new project designs and installations; collaborate with the design team to ensure that the data collection system is part of project creation and implementation, prioritizing large projects.
• Collaborate with Communications Manager and Director on systems to monitor land unit size, change of ecology over time, and labor hours for fieldwork. Research and explore software or applications that can help show the benefits of land use.
• Support ecological monitoring efforts led by the Ecosystems Manager and outside consultants. This includes analyzing data collection storage systems and analyses, improving the usability and organization of data and collecting information as needed.

Outreach Responsibilities

• Contribute to creating data-forward content for multiple platforms, including websites, social media channels, newsletters, press releases, and internal and external communications materials.
• Collaborate with farm staff and support the Communications Manager and freelancers in reviewing writing or data visualizations.
• Assist in identifying key audience types, potential partnerships, farmers or organizations that will benefit from research being conducted and facilitate outreach through individual and group communications.
• Collaborate with the Education Program Associate and Manager on opportunities to engage with education programs. This may include preparing staff for interviews, contacting media, and giving farm tours.
• Assist in publishing and preparing content for the website.
• Support the planning and execution of events, including conferences, seminars, and community outreach programs.

Administration Responsibilities

• Organize digital files, photographs and videos, including naming, dating, and tagging.
• Attend bi-weekly staff meetings, collaborate on quarterly updates and year-in-review reports, and maintain a deep understanding of various programs, installations and systems on the farm.
• Seek out and attend conferences and/or training to support personal growth and quality programming.
• Support and organize camera systems for passive data collection in collaboration with all staff.
• Provide assistance with other projects and activities as assigned.

MINIMUM PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE, TRAINING AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required.
• Has at least 2 years of work experience in data collection, agriculture or landscaping.
• Knowledgeable and passionate about environmental sustainability, permaculture design certification is a plus.
• Team player, creative thinker and willing to look for innovations with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Positive spokesperson and representative of Ocean Hour Farm with strong oral, visual and written communication and presentation skills; ability to speak, read, and write effectively in English.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work simultaneously on a wide range of projects, prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines.
• Comfort in using Google Suite and willingness to learn other platforms like Asana, WordPress, Photoshelter and more.
• Able to work outdoors in hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy weather conditions.
• Ability to work legally in the United States.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/MINIMUM PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• This position requires both indoor and outdoor work, depending on the task. Most of the time spent on the job involves standing and being on your feet or being on a computer. This position will require lifting and carrying materials weighing up to 50 pounds, kneeling, and bending. Must be able to work outdoors in many types of conditions when necessary. Typical work hours are M-F, 8AM to 4PM. Willingness to travel and/or work non-standard business hours, such as nights and weekends, may be needed from time to time. This job is a coordinator-level position that will require a mix of desk work and fieldwork.

$32.69 – $36.05 an hour

Salary commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits provided. This position cannot be remote. Relocation assistance is not provided; candidates must reside within commuting distance of Newport, RI or relocate at their own expense

OTHER INFORMATION

Employees must adhere to all applicable organizational policies and procedures. Regular and predictable attendance is required. Willingness and ability to travel and work non-standard business hours, such as nights and weekends, on an as-needed basis is required. Employees must be able to cope effectively with deadlines and multiple demands. Background check will be conducted to finalize a candidate.

Ocean Hour Farm is an equal opportunity employer and strives to create an atmosphere where diversity of identity, experience, and background are welcomed, valued and supported. Ocean Hour Farm believes that diversity brings about greater sustainability on all levels and aims to use its resources to generate greater social and environmental diversity through its grant-making and other related investments. Ocean Hour Farm is committed to considering candidates for employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability and any other status protected under applicable law, and provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.