Agricultural Advisor Liaison (Fixed Term)

Agricultural Advisor Liaison (Fixed Term - to March 31, 2028)

The Agricultural Advisor Liaison is responsible for building the capacity of agricultural advisors to effectively support Ontario farmers participating in OSCIA programs, with primary responsibility for advisor engagement and training under the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) Activity 2 "Training of Professional Agrologists, Agronomists and Certified Crop Advisors" and the Farmland Health Check-Up (FHCU).

This role leads the development, coordination, delivery and continuous improvement of advisor-focused training, tools and resources for Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs), Professional Agrologists (P.Ags), and other qualified or emerging agricultural professionals. The incumbent ensures advisors have practical, current and consistent information to support producer decision-making and adoption of best management practices (BMPs).

Working closely with OSCIA program, technical, communications and evaluation staff, the Agricultural Advisor Liaison will coordinate advisor networks, gather field-level feedback, support province-wide FHCU delivery, and lead implementation activities for OFCAF Activity 2. The role will also track participation and learning outcomes, identify barriers and opportunities, and translate program requirements and technical information into practical guidance for advisors and producers.

The position serves as a key bridge between OSCIA and Ontario's agricultural advisory community, helping strengthen trusted relationships, improve program reach and consistency, and support measurable environmental and farm-management outcomes.

Key Responsibilities & Duties:

OFCAF Activity 2 - Advisor Training, Engagement & Program Delivery

Lead advisor-focused engagement, training and knowledge-transfer activities for the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) Activity 2 "Training of Professional Agrologists, Agronomists and Certified Crop Advisors".

Develop and maintain a strong working understanding of OFCAF Activity 2 objectives, deliverables, partner commitments, timelines, advisor roles and related guidance.

Translate OFCAF program requirements and technical information into clear, practical resources and learning materials that strengthen advisor knowledge and their ability to support producers.

Develop and coordinate learning opportunities across OFCAF BMP categories - nitrogen management, cover cropping and rotational grazing systems - and connect advisors with appropriate technical expertise when required.

Support agricultural advisors in understanding their role in OFCAF, including working with producers to assess current practices, clarify goals for proposed practices, develop recommendations and prepare required Letters of Support.

Build and manage partnerships with professional and sector organizations to extend the reach, credibility and accessibility of advisor training, including opportunities for continuing education credits and other professional recognition.

Gather feedback from advisors on OFCAF Activity 2 training needs, program delivery challenges, producer questions and emerging priorities, and use findings to inform continuous improvement.

Plan, coordinate and evaluate virtual and in-person professional learning opportunities, including webinars, conference sessions, field-based events and other advisor-targeted training.

Coordinate development and maintenance of advisor-focused resources for OSCIA knowledge platforms, print communications and partner channels.

Support the development of rotational-grazing-focused learning pathways, courses, events and/or recognition or badging approaches in collaboration with technical and sector partners.

Coordinate the OFCAF Activity 2 advisory group and other advisor engagement mechanisms to validate training priorities, identify gaps and strengthen program relevance.

Monitor training effectiveness using appropriate pre/post-event, participation and feedback measures and use results to improve future offerings.

Farmland Health Check-Up Program Leadership

Lead the advisor-facing implementation and province-wide expansion of the Farmland Health Check-Up (FHCU).

Develop, update, deliver and promote FHCU training, guidance, tools and resource materials for advisors who deliver or support the Check-Up.

Establish clear processes, expectations and support mechanisms for advisors participating in FHCU delivery.

Conduct outreach, focus groups, consultations and other engagement activities to identify regional needs and inform effective FHCU expansion.

Coordinate with OSCIA technical and program staff to ensure FHCU materials and delivery approaches remain practical, technically sound and aligned with program objectives.

Identify implementation barriers, consistency issues and opportunities to improve advisor and producer experience, and recommend practical solutions.

Support quality assurance and consistent delivery by communicating updates, clarifying expectations and facilitating access to technical support.

Training Development, Facilitation & Resource Development

Design and deliver engaging training programs for CCAs, P.Ags and other agricultural professionals using adult-learning and knowledge-transfer principles.

Develop high-quality training materials, facilitator resources, presentations, guidance documents, FAQs, case studies and other practical tools.

Coordinate subject-matter experts and external speakers for advisor-targeted learning opportunities and events.

Maintain and refresh training content as program requirements, technical guidance and sector needs evolve.

Support delivery through a mix of in-person, virtual and self-directed learning formats where appropriate.

Work with Communications and program staff to promote training opportunities and ensure advisor-facing information is clear, timely and consistent.

Advisor Network & Stakeholder Engagement

Build and maintain trusted working relationships with agricultural advisors, professional associations, commodity organizations, training partners, industry organizations, government contacts and other stakeholders involved in OFCAF Activity 2 and FHCU.

Coordinate advisory and working groups of agricultural professionals, advisors and knowledge-mobilization specialists to guide training priorities, implementation and continuous improvement.

Act as an internal resource on advisor engagement and advisor-led program delivery, strengthening communication between OSCIA and advisor networks.

Assess advisor knowledge, motivations, barriers and opportunities related to OSCIA programs and sustainable BMP adoption.

Represent OSCIA professionally at meetings, workshops, conferences, field events and other sector activities.

Identify opportunities for partnerships, shared resources and coordinated learning activities that extend program reach and reduce duplication.

Knowledge Transfer, Events & Outreach

Plan and coordinate workshops, webinars, seminars, field events and knowledge-sharing activities for agricultural advisors and producers.

Facilitate practical exchange of knowledge among advisors, farmers, researchers, industry and program staff.

Translate technical and program information into accessible, audience-appropriate communications and learning experiences.

Support knowledge mobilization that encourages informed producer decision-making and adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.

Identify and share emerging advisor and producer information needs with relevant OSCIA teams.

Program Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

Establish and maintain practical tracking mechanisms for advisor participation, training completion, engagement activities and program reach.

Work with internal evaluation and program staff to identify meaningful measures of advisor influence, producer participation and BMP adoption.

Collect, analyze and summarize quantitative and q