The Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture is a coalition of organizations, led by Virginia Tech, which is implementing an $80 million funded by the United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). This project is implemented across four states –Arkansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Virginia – and features payments to farmers to adopt conservation agriculture practices. Farmer enrollment is managed by implementing partner organizations in each of the four states and several non-implementing partners support the program in various ways.

Virginia Tech faculty are conducting a rigorous research agenda to evaluate the efficacy of implementation. Under the pilot program, Virginia Tech and its partners are helping producers in the four states prove the value of paying farmers and ranchers $100 per acre or animal unit for stewardship practices that deliver public value through carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas reduction, improved soil health, water quality, water conservation, and other environmental services. We aim to create ascalable model for incentivizing and rewarding farmers for adopting conservation practices. Moreinformation on the program can be found at this link: https://www.allianceforcsa.org.

As part of the agreement with USDA, the Alliance is required to report estimates and measurements of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and estimated soil loss on enrolled farms. Producers and Alliance partners use COMET-Planner and COMET-Farm and Field to Market’s Field print Calculator tools, and the RUSLE2 soil loss equation calculator to generate data to meet USDA reporting requirements, to generate Conservation Impact Reports for each enrolled producer, and provide output to support development of storytelling deliverables at the conclusion of the project.

The Data Technician will compile and review project data, maintain reporting workbooks, and review and organize producer reports and supporting documents. The Data Technician will report to the Project Director.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, grant-funded restricted university staff position with an anticipated appointment end date of September 9, 2027, contingent on available funding and project needs. The position reports to the Project Director and has a regular schedule of 40 hours per week.

The position offers a remote or hybrid work arrangement, with Blacksburg, VA, as the base location. Remote employees must reside within approximately four to six hours’ driving distance of Blacksburg. Occasional travel to Blacksburg and out-of-state project meetings may be required.

- Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience.
- Experience compiling, organizing, reviewing, and reporting data.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including filters, conditional formatting, lookup formulas such as VLOOKUP or XLOOKUP, text-to-columns, and pivot tables.
- Experience using Microsoft 365 applications and online databases or tracking systems, with the ability to learn new software.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to follow established procedures, work independently, organize multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in maintaining data and records.

- Master’s degree in relevant field .
- Basic knowledge of crop and/or animal agriculture.
- Basic knowledge of farming and farm management practices.
- Basic knowledge of agricultural conservation practices.

3

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Restricted

$43,000 - $47,000

40

November 20, 2026

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

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