The Organic Center Science Program Manager

The Organic Center’s mission is to conduct and convene credible, evidence-based science on the environmental and health effects of organic food and farming and communicate the findings to broad audiences. The Organic Center aims to engage and develop partnerships with research institutions, federal agencies, organic farmers, and food systems advocates that are working to improve agricultural systems. Our work serves as a resource for the public, policy makers, scientists, farmers and industry on the science supporting sustainable organic food and farming with a goal to strengthen and expand organic practices and commodities to reduce the use of toxic, synthetic chemicals and have clear benefits to human health and the environment.

The Organic Center is seeking a Science Program Manager to manage grant programs run by the Organic Center and grant applications submitted by the Organic Center to federal and private funding sources. The Science Program Manager will need to be proficient in the scientific language and method with the ability to translate scientific information to various public audiences to accomplish the Center’s educational outreach efforts.

This is a full-time, exempt position, eligible for benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience and training. The Organic Center’s primary office is located in Washington D.C., but this position is fully remote. The Science Program Manager reports to the Science Program Director.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Administer grant programs run by the Organic Center, such as the Organic Training for Agricultural Professionals Prize and the Organic Center-FFAR joint Organic Research Program
• Handle grant submission administration and tracking/reporting for awarded grants, including federal grant programs (eg. OREI, AFRI, ORG) and private foundation grants
• Interface and collaborate with Organic Trade Association Teams, such as communications, events, development, and member engagement
• Manage conference organization
• Write review reports on organic issues
• Find and summarize research of interest to the organic community
• Organization of presenting teams for both the Organic Center related and partner research related webinar programming
• Research and apply for grants to support scientific projects
• Coordinate the communication of our scientific programs and outside research in collaboration with the Communications Director

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in a related field of study such as biology, public health, nutrition, agronomy, environmental studies is preferred, or equivalent academic and professional experience
• Experience and commitment to organic and sustainable agriculture and food systems
• Proven track record of successful grant acquisition
• Experience in project coordination
• Experience communicating scientific literature to a wide variety of audiences 

TO APPLY

Submit your complete packet via email to Dr. Amber Sciligo, PhD, at asciligo@organic-center.org by February 18th, 2022. All qualified applicants should submit:

• A cover letter stating your interest and qualifications
• A resume outlining your skills and experience
• Scientific writing samples (or weblinks) addressing a scientific audience and a general public audience