Sustainability & Environment Specialist

Are you passionate and knowledgeable about agricultural sustainability? Do you enjoy working with others to solve sustainability issues in agriculture? Grain Farmers of Ontario may be the place for you!

Grain Farmers of Ontario is looking for a subject matter expert who can play a key role in our organization’s sustainability efforts to help build, defend, and promote an inclusive, innovative, and sustainable business environment that enables grain farmers the opportunity to prosper. The ideal candidate has strong technical knowledge of agricultural sustainability practices and measurement, reporting and verification frameworks in the agri-food and bioeconomy value chain. They are flexible, analytical, and collaborative, with the ability to think strategically and bring stakeholders together on an issue. If this describes you, we invite you to apply for Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Sustainability and Environment Specialist.

The Role

The Sustainability & Environment Specialist plays a key role in the development and implementation of Grain Farmers of Ontario’s sustainability initiatives. They will act as a subject matter expert to provide our farmer-members with sustainability tools and knowledge, advocate for an improved science-based regulatory system, and engage in sustainability programs that are workable and deliver value for both farmers and customers. They will lead sustainability initiatives and work collaboratively both internally and externally to build an environment where farmer-members can continue to be economically sustainable while operating in a manner that meets their commitment to the environment and society.

Your Day-to-Day

• Ensure the successful development, execution, and implementation of Grain Farmers of Ontario’s sustainability Road Map. Lead the related initiatives and work with leadership to ensure alignment with Grain Farmers of Ontario’s strategic objectives.
• Inform Grain Farmers of Ontario’s engagement with key industry and government stakeholders on sustainability and environmental programs to support market development in the sector and the license to operate of farmer-members.
• Support the development of Grain Farmers of Ontario’s positions, strategies, and engagements on environment and sustainability policies impacting the Canadian cereals value chain.
• Proactively stay abreast of domestic and global market, policy, and regulatory sustainability demands in agriculture and provide assessments of opportunities and challenges for farmer-members. In doing so, provide technical expertise and analysis on the impact of existing and proposed environmental and sustainability policies and regulations that could affect Ontario grain farmers.
• Help build the body of evidence and key messaging that supports Grain Farmers of Ontario’s marketing of our sustainability story for customers and consumers.
• Lead efforts in sustainability-oriented sustainability initiatives (SAI Platform, Field to Market Canada, 4R Ontario, ISCC), including actively championing the farmer perspective in sustainability and environmental benchmarking and certification systems.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders working in sustainability and environment including supply chain partners, government, producer organizations, processors, and exporters.
• Attend events such as conferences, and seminars to create linkages and awareness of market opportunities and grain industry sustainability opportunities.
• Support procurement and management of external expert services such as consultants, as required.
• Contribute to the overall Market Development strategy at Grain Farmers of Ontario.
  What you will bring
  Education & Experience
• University degree in agriculture, environmental sciences, sustainability, business, or a related area.

What you will bring

Education & Experience

• University degree in agriculture, environmental sciences, sustainability, business, or a related area.
• Graduate level degree in related area an asset.
• 3-5 years in an agricultural sustainability-related role.

Core Qualifications

• High level familiarity with the agricultural sustainability landscape including environmental, social, and economic sustainability concepts and frameworks and their integration within the agri-food and bioeconomy value chains.
• Strong technical knowledge of agricultural sustainability, sustainable agricultural practices and key sustainability issues including greenhouse gas emissions, soil health, biodiversity, and nutrient management.
• Ability to undertake data analysis to assess sustainability trends and understand environmental impact assessments.
• Practical understanding of the Ontario agricultural industry, its value chains, and the farmer’s perspective to ensure sustainability initiatives provide farmer value.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders.
• Experienced in science communications and knowledge transfer techniques to translate complex insights and recommendations into concise proposals, reports, and presentations using appropriate messaging for a variety of audiences.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Experience with project management.
• Sound judgment, integrity in all actions, and critical thinking skills.

Additional Qualifications

• Understanding of sustainable sourcing requirements and measurement, reporting and verification program systems within the grains value chain.
• Working knowledge of provincial and federal government ministries, agencies, and committees, including funding programs and key agricultural and value chain sustainability policies.
• Direct experience with sustainable sourcing initiatives (e.g., SAI, Field to Market Canada, ISCC, CRSC).
• Experience in life cycle assessment and carbon foot printing methodologies in agriculture.
• Bilingual (English/French) is an asset.

What we offer

Grain Farmers of Ontario is a team of passionate, hardworking people focused on teamwork and collaboration to bring the greatest value to our farmer-members.

We offer a competitive salary and a robust benefits package including medical, dental, life insurance, and a pension program with an employer contribution. All staff a minimum of 3 weeks’ vacation to start. We also offer an optional hybrid work environment.

We value supporting our team members to reach their full potential by offering every employee the opportunity for learning and development through our development focused performance management system. We also like to have a little fun! We have an active social committee providing fun and interesting social events.

About Grain Farmers of Ontario

Grain Farmers of Ontario is the province’s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario’s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean and wheat farmers. The crops they grow cover 6 million acres of farm land across the province result in over $27 billion in economic output, and are responsible for over 92,000 jobs in the province.
Grain Farmers of Ontario is an organization that values teamwork, honesty, integrity, kindness, and work ethic. We pride ourselves on our team atmosphere, and we all work together to create a business atmosphere that allows for the highest returns for our farmer-members. Learn more about us at www.gfo.ca
To apply for this role visit the Grain Farmers of Ontario Career Center.

Submissions must be in the form of a resume with an accompanying cover letter detailing your experience and qualifications relative to the position.
Applications without a cover letter listing detailed information regarding relevant qualifications and experience will be deemed incomplete and will not be considered.

Location: Hybrid – Guelph ON. Office / Home office
Hours of work: Full-Time (Monday-Friday, 35 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Sunday, April 28, @ 11:59 pm

Grain Farmers of Ontario is committed to a fair and inclusive work environment. We will endeavor to accommodate the needs of qualified applicants in all parts of the hiring process. If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please reach out to Human Resources at hr@gfo.ca

All resume information is received in confidence. While we appreciate and thank all applicants, we will only directly contact those candidates selected for an interview.