The County of San Diego (COSD) is working to develop and implement multiple agricultural-related activities identified in the COSD’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase carbon sequestration, improve soil health, and strengthen local food systems. The FUSE Executive Fellow will support and lead the development and implementation of a program that expands access to climate-smart agricultural practices for producers, coordinate an incentive program to encourage agricultural producers to transition to more energy and fuel-efficient equipment, and promote resources and programs for reducing the use of synthetic fertilizers and increase alternative manure management methods. Ultimately, this will help the COSD achieve its CAP goals, support sustainable agriculture, invest in agricultural producers, and foster a more resilient and inclusive farming community.

Fellowship Dates: October 27, 2025 – October 23, 2026

Salary: Executive Fellows are FUSE employees and receive an annual base salary of $80,000. Fellows can also access various health, dental, and vision insurance benefits. Compensation for this year of public service is not intended to represent market-rate compensation for the experienced professionals in our program.

ABOUT THE FUSE EXECUTIVE FELLOWSHIP

FUSE is a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing the capacity of local governments to work more effectively for communities. We embed private sector executives in city and county agencies to lead projects that improve public services and accelerate systems change. Since 2012, FUSE has led over 400 projects in 58 governments across 26 states, impacting a total population equivalent to 1 in 10 Americans.

When designing each fellowship project, FUSE works closely with government partners and community stakeholders to define a scope of work that will achieve substantive progress toward high-priority local needs. Projects address today’s most pressing challenges and opportunities, including affordable housing, economic mobility, climate resilience, public safety, infrastructure, technology, and more.

FUSE conducts a full executive search for each individual project to ensure that the selected candidate has at least 15 years of professional experience, the required competencies for the role, and deep connections to the community being served.

Executive Fellows are embedded in government agencies working with senior leaders for at least one year of full-time work. Prospective responsibilities may include thorough data analytics and research, developing enhanced operations and financial models, building change management and strategic planning processes, and/or building broad coalitions to support project implementation efforts. Executive Fellows are data-driven and results-oriented and able to effectively manage complex projects. They build strong relationships with a broad array of stakeholders, foster alignment within and across various layers of government, and build partnerships between governments and communities.

Throughout the fellowships, Executive Fellows receive training, coaching, and professional support to help achieve their project goals.

PROJECT CONTEXT

Regenerative agriculture plays a critical role in building resilience to extreme weather, improving soil health, and supporting local food systems—particularly in rural and unincorporated communities. These practices help communities prepare for climate-related challenges while sustaining agricultural livelihoods through practices like increasing carbon sequestration, conserving water, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Programs that support regenerative land stewardship offer an opportunity to expand access to technical assistance and resources for producers who have historically had fewer opportunities to participate in sustainability-focused initiatives. When tailored to the needs of diverse agricultural producers, these efforts promote long-term environmental and economic benefits across communities.

COSD will partner with FUSE to design and implement the next phase of its regenerative agriculture program. The FUSE Executive Fellow will: review findings from staff’s outreach and engagement efforts and summary documents to understand current needs; develop a comprehensive implementation plan that includes administrative systems, incentive structures, and outreach strategies that reflect the needs of the region’s diverse producers; identify opportunities to improve access for producers who have been underrepresented in past initiatives; and support stakeholder engagement and new funding opportunities to ensure long-term success. Ultimately, this project will accelerate San Diego’s climate action goals, promote agricultural resilience, and expand access to resources that help local producers thrive in the face of a changing climate.

PROJECT SUMMARY

Beginning in November 2025, the FUSE Executive Fellow will work with COSD’s Planning & Development Services Sustainability Planning Division to design and implement a regenerative agriculture incentive program that helps the County meet its CAP goals. This work will support San Diego’s efforts to promote climate resilience, improve soil health, and expand access to sustainable land stewardship resources for agricultural producers across the unincorporated county.

The fellow will begin by reviewing findings from staff’s outreach and engagement efforts and establish relationships with key stakeholders, including agricultural producers, Resource Conservation Districts, the San Diego County Farm Bureau, the Department of Agriculture Weights and Measures, and other County departments. This effort will gather insight into current practices, challenges, and opportunities related to adopting regenerative agriculture across the unincorporated area’s diverse crop types and farm sizes. Importantly, the fellow will work to encourage broad participation in this process—especially from small-scale producers and socially disadvantaged farmers—to ensure the program is designed to meet their needs and increase access to County resources.

The fellow will use the foundational documents staff have created (e.g., best practice research on existing policies, programs, administrative systems, incentive models; program guidance documents; and findings from informational interviews) to design a comprehensive implementation plan for the COSD’s regenerative agriculture pilot program. This will include identifying effective climate-smart practices, developing an administrative system for managing applications and disbursing incentives, and creating an outreach and engagement strategy to ensure inclusive access. The fellow will also work with a to-be-determined consultant to receive input and guidance on program tool development. The fellow will also explore funding opportunities to support pilot expansion and develop partnerships with external organizations and technical assistance providers to bolster long-term success. As part of this work, the fellow may support the rollout of early pilot activities, such as testing administrative tools and refining stakeholder engagement approaches. Additionally, the fellow will support staff’s oversight of a to-be-determined consultant as they implement pilot activities as part of the aforementioned Department of Conservation grant.

The fellow will also produce a roadmap for scaling the program over time, aligned with the CAP’s 2030 and 2045 goals. To support sustainability, the fellow will identify key milestones, assign roles and responsibilities, and recommend strategies for program monitoring and evaluation. Through this work, the fellow will ensure San Diego County is well-positioned to lead in climate-smart agriculture and to support a more resilient, sustainable future for its farming communities.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

  • Executive Sponsor: Tyler Farmer, Chief of Departmental Operations
  • Project Supervisor: Ariel Hamburger, Planning Manager

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Synthesizes complex information into clear and concise recommendations and action-oriented implementation plans.
  • Develops and effectively implements both strategic and operational project management plans.
  • Generates innovative, data-driven, and result-oriented solutions to complex challenges.
  • Respond quickly to changing ideas, responsibilities, expectations, trends, strategies, and other processes.
  • Communicates effectively verbally and in writing and excels in active listening and conversing.
  • Fosters collaboration across multiple constituencies to support more effective decision-making.
  • Establishes and maintains strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, both inside and outside of government, particularly community-based relationships.
  • Embraces differing viewpoints and implements strategies to find common ground.
  • Demonstrates confidence and professional diplomacy while effectively interacting with individuals at all levels of various organizations.

FUSE is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position.