JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Agriculture Conservation Resource Planner

Terms: Regular full-time position (40hrs/week), with benefits

Starting Salary: $63,000 - $78,000 annually

Job Classification and Range: Resource Planner

Priority deadline: First review of applications will be on September 30, 2024. Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Position Summary

The Agricultural Conservation Resource Planner works in the Agriculture Department and in collaboration with all District Departments including the Habitat Restoration and Floodplain Management, Community Conservation, Engineering, and Outreach and Education teams. This position provides technical assistance, farm/agroforestry planning, and outreach to agricultural and small forest operators throughout Snohomish County and Camano Island via in-field site visits, site-specific resource evaluations, and development of natural resource conservation management plans.

The ideal candidate will have skills in partnership building and collaborative engagement and is passionate about agricultural viability and natural resource protection.

This position will report to the Agriculture Department Manager.

About the Snohomish Conservation District
One of 45 Conservation Districts in the State of Washington, the Snohomish Conservation District is a leader among peers with robust programs encompassing agricultural resilience, habitat restoration, urban stormwater, farm planning, youth education, community engagement and more. The District works with farmers, residents, and landowners on a collaborative and voluntary basis throughout our service area that includes Snohomish County and Camano Island. We take the mission of the District to heart - “work cooperatively with others to promote and encourage conservation and responsible use of natural resources” - as we implement successful and innovative projects.

Primary Job Responsibilities

These are illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The Resource Planner will

• Support and participate in all Agriculture Department programs and services including Dairy Nutrient Management Planning, Carbon Farm Planning, Agriculture Resilience Plan implementation, Agroforestry, and Sound Horsekeeping. 
• Draft conservation management plans meeting USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service standards for natural resource Best Management Practices. 
• Support implementation of priorities identified in theAgriculture Resilience Plan for Snohomish County. The purpose of this work is to improve and support agricultural protection and viability, advance salmon recovery, flood risk reduction, protect water resources, improve soil health, and enhance wildlife habitat, while improving farm operations and meeting landowner needs. 
• Promote implementation of BMPs that protect water quality, soil health, plant health, air quality, cultural resources, and wildlife habitat. Provide recommendations on BMPs through discussions, site visits, technical assistance letters, and resource conservation management plans. This includes conducting outreach to landowners and helping develop educational materials for land users and organizations; coordinating financial assistance contracts for landowners implementing BMPs and managing related grants; and leading project teams to implement targeted outreach, technical assistance, and BMP implementation. 
• Develop conservation (farm) plans that meet NRCS planning criteria. Assemble data needed in the development of conservation practices for structural and non-structural solutions to problems with water quality, soil health, wildlife habitat quality, erosion, drainage, crop production, livestock production, and irrigation. This includes completing relevant calculations, developing spreadsheets, using templates and tools specific to the planning need, completing checklists, and developing maps using GIS mapping software. 
• Connect landowners with potential cost share projects to funding opportunities. Complete landowner agreements, coordinate engineering involvement, and provide ongoing assistance to landowners. Coordinate with NRCS and assist with NRCS applications and contracts. 
• Coordinate and present at virtual and in-person events about conservation planning, agroforestry, and farm best management practices (BMPs). Support District activities at public outreach events, including farm tours, workshops, fairs, and festivals. 
• Provide input on programmatic strategic planning and grant proposal development. 
• Manage grants to include preparing funding applications, project team leadership, partner engagement, reporting, deliverable implementation, and budget management.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities

• A Bachelor’s degree in a natural resource/environmental field with coursework related to agriculture, soils, forage production, livestock production, or ecology.
• Work experience in agroforestry, livestock management, soil conservation, or natural resource management. 
• Understanding of the challenges and needs of the local agricultural community.
• Knowledge of BMPs for small and large agricultural operations related to soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat, nutrient management, manure management, mud management, livestock management, crop production, and farm or stormwater drainage. 
• Interest in and commitment to natural resources enhancement and public education.
• Public speaking skills with the ability to effectively present to large audiences and garner support for programs.
• Experience, and demonstrated ability to interact amicably, with diverse community members, build relationships with landowners and cooperators, and motivate individuals to adopt and implement resource management practices on their property. 
• Ability to effectively communicate recommendations and designs to farm owners and farm operators, demonstrate approaches, and guide installation of conservation practices.
• Knowledge of general water quality and salmon habitat priorities in the Puget Sound region.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage workload, schedule, and resources to meet deadlines and achieve goals.
• Ability to manage grants, contracts, and other funding awards. 
• Proficiency writing reports, outreach materials, technical assistance letters to landowners, and/or components of funding applications.
• Ability to take initiative, work well with team members, and adapt to new processes.
• Service-oriented attitude and constructive problem-solving skills.
• Ability to use computers and tablets to write reports, use word processing, spreadsheets, email, presentation, and calendaring programs, prepare maps using ArcGIS, and record project data. Ability to learn specialized computer programs to manage, track, and report on work.
• Knowledge and ability in conflict management.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal ordinances and regulations.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal District partners.
• Evidence of continued learning to build the skill set summarized above.

Preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Experience in Agroforestry and/climate resiliency land practices
• A Master’s degree in a natural resource/environmental field with coursework related to agroforestry, agriculture, soils, forage production, livestock production, or ecology 
• Experience with and knowledge of Snohomish County local agriculture
• Certified NRCS conservation planner 
• Center for Technical Development planner certification
• Experience with dairy facility planning and/or providing dairy facility technical assistance
• Experience with equine facility management and/or providing equine technical assistance
• Soils or farming experience (crop and/or dairy)
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal ordinances and regulations including Snohomish County and Island County codes and regulations
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal Conservation District partners
• Experience with carbon farm planning
• Supervision or experience as a Technical Lead on a team

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

This position includes both office and field work and frequent travel to job sites. Field work comprises approximately 20% of the position. The field work is conducted in a natural environment with rough and sometimes dangerous terrain. This position requires the ability to:

• Work outdoors in all weather conditions and on rough or uneven terrain
• Drive a vehicle when travel is needed. Must hold a valid, unrestricted Washington State driver’s license (or have the ability to acquire upon hire).
• Safely operate a motor vehicle, including full-size pick-up and trailer, on both public and private roads during daylight and occasionally after dark.
• Sit or stand for long periods of time in a standard workday
• Lift, pull, carry, push up to 50lbs
• Bend, twist, squat, climb, kneel/crawl, reach overhead, etc.
• Use finger dexterity and fine manipulation
• Hear and speak to exchange information in person, on the telephone, and via video conference
• Occasionally work beyond an 8:00 am – 5:00 pm schedule or on the weekend.

Benefits
The District offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes:

• Medical, including vision, insurance coverage through Washington State PEBB. The District matches employee dependent’s medical premiums at 80%. 
• Dental insurance coverage through Washington State PEBB for full-time employees. The District matches employee dependent’s dental premiums at 100%. 
• A monthly contribution to a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) plan through Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association (VEBA) for employees who opt to waive District medical insurance coverage. 
• Life Insurance through Washington State Health Care Authority (WSHCA), with coverage paid by the District.
• Long Term Care coverage through the WA Cares Fund, with premiums paid by the District.
• Long Term Disability through WSHCA.
• Annual (vacation) leave accrued at a beginning rate of 8 hours per month, 8 hours of paid sick leave per month, and 12 paid holidays each year.
• Employer-contributed retirement program through the State of Washington Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) and the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).
• All employees are covered by standard State and Federal programs, including WA Paid Family Medical Leave, Unemployment Insurance, Workers' Compensation, Social Security, and Medicare.
• Terms of compensation and benefits are set by the Board of Supervisors and may be amended at any time.

Work Location
The position will be based out of our Lake Stevens office. Following a successful probationary period, there may be an option to work remotely part of the time. Some essential functions of this position require in-office or on-site work in Snohomish County at specific times.

Application Instructions

To apply for this position, please submit the following materials, in PDF format, via our website at https://snohomishcd.org/employment: 

• Cover letter stating why you are interested in this position
• CV or resume detailing your related experience

Candidates who advance in the hiring process may be requested to provide additional materials (such as a writing sample) or complete skills assessments.

If you have questions about applying or need accommodation during the application process, contact Sally Cunningham at hr@snohomishcd.org or (360) 631-6736.

Applications will be reviewed beginning September 30, 2024. Position open until filled.

We strive to work in partnership with all, to provide equitable and accessible programming on a nondiscriminatory basis, and to continually improve how we do so. All programs and services of the Snohomish Conservation District are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.