Agri-technology Specialist

Perennia’s mission is to support growth, transformation and economic development in Nova Scotia’s agriculture, seafood, and food and beverage sectors. We are looking for a talented, innovative professional with an understanding and expertise in on-farm technology utilization to work collaboratively with team members and growers to gain insights and validate scientific tools. Our team is composed of industry experts, scientists, and talented field staff. The environment is extremely engaging and fast-paced, with specialties coming together to provide the best possible advice and support to our clients.

The primary focus for this position is transferring in-field technology to farmers relating to agronomic data utilization, agronomy, training, and ongoing mainstreaming of new agriculture technology and digital solutions. Having a solid understanding of how technology can be used on farm to improve productivity, enhance competitiveness, and create new opportunities is integral to this position. Must have the ability to develop successful relationships with producers, industry associations and government is essential, as well as excellent organizational, interpersonal, communication, facilitation, and time management skills.

Responsibilities will include:

- Create a culture of technology adoption by Nova Scotia producers through a variety of extension tools including information sharing and applied research of technologies solutions to address data gap and analysis issues on farm
- Introduce new tools on farm for data collection that are vital for farm decision making
- Enable producers to better utilize the data they are currently collecting on farm by making it easily access in a usable format to make effective management decisions
- Trial and introduce new technologies that support horticulture and livestock management
- Support broad adoption of agricultural technologies, and assist to promote selected technologies for commercial development, scaling and adoption
- Utilize in-person and virtual knowledge transfer activities such as field days and webinars to share information on weather data utilization, new technology and highlight producer led technology projects
- Summarize annual and event-based (e.g., post storm wind gusts, freezing temperatures) data from the NSDA-funded agriculture Davis weather station network to share with government and industry
- Use drones as an extension tool to diagnose production problems

In order to excel at this position, the successful applicant will have:

- A specialized degree in Agronomy, Precision Agriculture, or a closely related discipline
- Minimum of five years’ professional experience that demonstrates the ability to conduct high quality field research and deliver an extension program
- Experience collaborating across multi-functional groups and geographies
- Experience in project management
- Experience with basic geographic information systems (GIS), GPS systems, variable rate technology, or mapping software
- A history of working with high tech hardware and software, with the proven ability to coach others to use both to maximize effectiveness
- Experience in technology-based knowledge transfer to the agriculture industry would be an asset with demonstrated experience or aptitude in blogs, videos, podcasts and/or webinars
- Perennia is an equal opportunity employer_

**Benefits**:

- Company events
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care
- Wellness program
- Work from home

Schedule:

- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Kentville, NS: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

**Education**:

- Bachelor's Degree (required)

**Experience**:

- field research: 5 years (required)
- GIS: 2 years (required)

Willingness to travel:

- 50% (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Kentville, NS

Application deadline: 2023-04-10