About Field to Market

Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture® is a 501(c)(3) organization that brings together a diverse alliance of grower groups, including agribusiness companies, food, fiber, restaurant, and retail companies, conservation groups, universities, and public-sector partners, to focus on promoting, defining, and measuring the sustainability of row crops for food, feed, fiber, and fuel production.

The cornerstone of Field to Market’s program lies in the eight sustainability metrics embedded within the Fieldprint Platform®. Designed to measure environmental outcomes from farm fields, these science-based metrics have been developed and adopted by Field to Market through the multi-stakeholder governance process over the past decade. These metrics are Biodiversity, Energy Use, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Irrigation Water Use, Land Use, Soil Carbon, Soil Conservation, and Water Quality.

Contingent on a recent grant award contract, this position will be funded for up to five years and may be extended based on the success of the program.

Position Overview

Field to Market seeks an Environmental Modeler to support the science team and climate-smart projects with knowledge of soil, plant, and water relations, row crop agriculture, GHG emissions quantification, and data analysis. The modeler will support the testing and application of process-based models that underpin our GHG Emissions, Soil Carbon, Soil Conservation, and Water Quality metrics. The modeler will also contribute to the science team in other programmatic areas, including crop benchmark revisions, the 2026 National Indicators Report, the addition of new crops, and ad-hoc projects.

Starting with growers, the agricultural value chain is under enormous pressure to measure and report on efforts related to soil health, water quality, and GHG emissions reductions in commodity row crops. The Environmental Modeler will be crucial in supporting Field to Market’s 190 members by testing and applying process-based models to measure environmental outcomes with a degree of confidence.

The initial focus will be supporting the implementation of the SWAT+ model, a key component of Field to Market’s strategy to incorporate quantitative soil carbon sequestration measurement capabilities into the Fieldprint Platform, with the implementation of water quality modeling at a later stage. The Environmental Modeler will also research other process-based models used by Field to Market, including the wind and water erosion tools from USDA NRCS.

Expected Core Competencies

• Direct experience with SWAT and/or SWAT+. Candidates with expertise in other models, such as APEX, EPIC, DayCent, DSSAT, and DNDC, who are willing to strive to become experts on SWAT+, may also be considered.
• An understanding of foundational modeling concepts, such as model initialization, validation, calibration, and uncertainty quantification.
• An understanding of model nuances related to model assumptions, analysis completeness, and the challenges growers face due to increased data requirements.
• Capable of preparing, writing, and publishing modeling results in scientific journals.

Key Responsibilities

• Apply knowledge of process-based environmental models to support model configuration and implementation in collaboration with university, government, and industry partners.
• Model the environmental impacts of agricultural practices such as tillage, crop rotation, cover crops, and nutrient management.
• Work with staff and outside partners to achieve scientific consensus in key areas like soil carbon model initialization, baselines, validation, and uncertainty quantification.
• Work as a team member, providing science and research support for grant activities.
• Conduct research to represent new crops and refine metrics, benchmarks, and indicators.
• Interface with other disciplines within Field to Market, including technology, education, stakeholder management, and project management.
• Perform all other duties and tasks as assigned.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. degree from an accredited institution focused on environmental modeling, environmental engineering, environmental science, soil science, crop science, or another related field. Specialization in soil carbon or water quality is highly desired.
• Strong understanding of sustainability, agronomy, agricultural systems, and U.S. commodity crop production.  
• Demonstrated professional or academic experience in modeling soil carbon and water quality in agricultural systems.
• Experience in analyzing and interpreting data, documenting methodologies, and reporting and communicating findings.
• Experience conducting data analysis using a statistical programming language like R or Python. Field to Market works in a collaborative environment with GitHub for version control.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities and deadlines with attention to detail.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling of inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias.   
• This position may require prolonged sitting at a desk and working on a computer. 
• Fluent in English, with strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Travel required: up to 15%. Travel and other work-related assignments may include evenings and weekends.

What Field to Market Can Offer

• This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of academia, NGOs, government, and the private sector, applying process-based models to support growers implementing climate-smart agricultural practices.
• A collaborative environment that supports your professional development and well-being.
• An unparalleled opportunity to network with hundreds of organizations and corporations in the agricultural value chain.
• An authentic non-profit organization, driven by a strong mission and vision shared by all employees.

Location and Remote Work

The position is based out of Washington, DC. Field to Market offers a generous remote work policy for local employees. Fully remote accommodations will be considered for the right candidate. Candidate must be available during Eastern time zone work hours (9 am to 5 pm).

Compensation

This is a full-time exempt position. The salary range is $80K to $90K, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Field to Market offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401k match, and generous paid leave. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

To Apply

Please apply online at https://field-to-market.breezy.  Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. A cover letter and resume are required.
Field to Market’s typical hiring process consists of one screening call (30 minutes), one virtual interview with the hiring managers (45 minutes), and one virtual interview with the hiring managers and additional team members (45 minutes).

Commitment to Equal Employment

Field to Market is an equal opportunity employer committed to the fair and equal treatment of all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, age, national origin, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, leaves of absence, compensation and training. We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, collaborative and sustainable work environment for all employees.