What are the responsibilities and job description for the Conservation Technician position at Calumet County, WI?
Summary Under the general supervision of the Conservationist provides technical and professional assistance in the areas of soil and water conservation and natural resources to the residents, landowners, operators, businesses, and units of Government of Calumet County. Performs related duties as required.
Examples of Duties
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Incumbent coordinates with the Land Resource Specialist and is responsible for detailed cropland and farmstead inventories used in determining the location of erosion and non-point source pollution resource concerns. Including:
1.) Preparing work maps that delineate inventory sites and land units.3.) Collecting data characterizing and estimating pollutant discharges from barnyard and feed storage runoff through on-site inspections and using approved pollutant load models.
4.) Collecting data characterizing streambank erosion and buffer needs on perennial and intermittent streams.
Assist in the analysis of data collected from the cropland and farmstead inventories.
Assist the County Conservationist in preparing project proposals and updating the LWRM plan.
Review critical lands and recommend the type and number of best management practices needed.
Provide technical assistance in the implementation of watershed plans, Silurian bedrock performance standards and the LWRM plan. Including:
B.) Assessing non-point source pollution and cropland erosion resource concerns and making appropriate recommendations.
C.) Determination and justification of eligibility for cost share program assistance.
D.) Developing conservation plans and negotiating cost-share agreements.
E.) Designing needed best management practices according to Natural Resources Conservation Service Electronic Field Office Technical Guide practice standards and specifications.
F.) Operation and maintenance of surveying equipment to include laser level and survey grade GPS.
G.) Preparing engineering designs and construction plans for implementation of best management practices including but not limited to waste storage structures, roof runoff structures, grassed waterways, diversions, and buffers.
H.) Verifying depth to bedrock on a field-by-field basis.
I.) Cooperating with contractors, providing construction stakeout, inspection, and final certification of best management practices.
J.) Cooperating with contractors, providing construction stakeout, inspection, and final certification of best management practices.
K.) Tracking cost share funding to ensure it does not exceed grant limits.
Assist landowners in meeting County Manure Storage and Runoff Management Ordinance Permit requirements, ensures storage facilities meet ordinance requirements and issues permits. Facilities include, but are not limited to, waste storage, waste transfer and feed storage leachate collection facilities.
Administers the County Tree Sale Program.
Report to the County Conservationist on project progress.
Assist in the administration of projects and plans.
Provide information and educational activities as needed.
It is unlikely an employee will perform all the duties listed, nor is the list exhaustive in the sense it covers all the duties an employee may be required to perform. The examples are merely indicative, not restrictive.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This position has no supervisory responsibility.
Typical Qualifications
Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience
Associate degree in Natural Resources or related field with emphasis in the technical aspects of conservation practice and design, three years technical work experience in natural resources, conservation, or agriculture; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Language Skills
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical data and information, professional journals, technical procedures, governmental regulations, and maps. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing; and effectively present information, and respond to questions from department personnel, employees of the County, landowners, local government officials, and the general public. Ability to communicate program objectives to the general public and to establish and maintain effective public working relationships.
Ability to utilize a variety of advisory and design data and information such as land use reports, surveys, census information, ordinances, State statutes, maps, architectural drawings, computer software operating manuals, hearing notices, meeting minutes, non-routine correspondence, and engineering manuals.
Mathematical Skills
Ability to classify, compare, compute, tabulate, categorize, differentiate, measure and/or sort data.
Ability to calculate percentages, fractions, decimals, volumes, ratios, present values, and spatial relationships. Ability to prepare and interpret basic descriptive statistical and financial reports.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Computer Skills
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, GIS mapping, AutoCAD Civil 3D (computer assisted drafting) and other relevant software.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Must possess and maintain a valid Wisconsin driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and have access to private transportation for work related duties.
Must possess or have the ability to possess Engineering Job Approval Authority for conservation practices typical to Calumet County, including, but not limited to, Waste Storage, Waste Transfer, Waste Treatment, Vegetated Treatment Area, Heavy Use Area Protection and Grassed Waterway.
Other Skills and Abilities
Considerable knowledge of water quality planning techniques, particularly non-point elements including identification of water quality problems and improvement objectives and evaluation of cost-effective management approaches.
Considerable knowledge of surveying techniques used for topographical surveying, construction stakeout, construction inspection and as-built documentation. Familiarity with surveying equipment such as laser level, GPS, and total station.
Considerable knowledge of soil and water conservation practices, practice standards and construction specifications needed for design and installation.
Ability to perform soil profile and foundation inspections to determine feasibility of practices.
Considerable knowledge of the activities and responsibility of the Calumet County Land and Water Conservation Department; Natural Resources Conservation Service; UW-Extension; Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Farm Service Agency.
Awareness of the Wisconsin and County Administrative Codes and Statutes relating to the non-point source pollution and soil erosion.
Considerable knowledge of models to predict soil erosion, pollutant losses and management practices to address erosion and runoff problems.
Considerable knowledge of agricultural farming operations and assisting rural landowners.
Ability to maintain accurate and complete records and prepare clear and detailed reports.
Ability to be highly motivated and work independently.
Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, or hear and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to walk, stand, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, occasionally lift over 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Regularly tours sites outside of the office. Field inspections may include climbing and working on slippery ground which requires good balance.
Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee may occasionally encounter individuals that may be under emotional stress. The noise level in the inside work environment is usually quiet but may be loud in the outside work environment.
The benefits listed below represent an employee who works full-time (100%). Regular part-time employees working half time or more per week may be eligible to receive employee benefits on a prorated basis. Qualifying employees working an average of 30 hours per week are eligible to receive health insurance coverage at the same premium contribution level as regular full-time employees. The percentage of employment which has been established by the budget or Board, shall determine the benefit pro-ration, with the exception of Home Health Aides, who will be pro-rated in July of each year based on the percentage of full-time hours worked in the previous twelve (12) months.
1. PTO. (Paid Time Off). Calumet County's PTO Plan combines vacation, sick leave, holiday, and bereavement leave into a single leave plan – PTO. Newly hired full-time employees will be credited with six (6) days of PTO immediately upon hire. The accrual will be based on the employee's length of service with the County and the hours paid in a pay period. PTO may be carried over from year to year provided the balance does not exceed the maximum allowable amount.
2. ELB. (Extended Leave Bank). The Extended Leave Bank is a bank of time separate from PTO that is intended for use in situations where the employee is absent from work due to medical necessity lasting more than three (3) days, or for events qualifying under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
3. Holidays. The official County holidays are factored into the PTO Accrual as follows: New Year's Day, Friday before Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, the Day Before Christmas Day, Christmas Day, and the Day Before New Year's Day.
4. Insurance. Employees eligible to participate in a High Deductible Health Insurance Plan. The County pays ninety (90%) percent of the single or family premium for full time employees who complete the Wellness Program criteria. To assist in meeting deductibles, the County will also contribute, to an HSA, for eligible employees. Dental and Vision Insurance is also available.
5. PEHP. (Post Employment Health Plan). The County provides a PEHP for regular full-time and eligible regular part-time non-represented employees. The PEHP is a multi-employer trust (IRS Code 501(c)(9)). The plan allows for a tax-free pre-funding of post employment medical expenses. The County contributes a biweekly flat dollar amount per employee. Contributions will be allocated to the universal reimbursement sub-account.
6. Life Insurance. The County provides a life insurance policy to qualifying employees equal to the estimated calendar year earnings of the position, with the County paying the premium. Additional units of insurance are also available along with spouse and dependent coverage, with the employee paying the full premium.
7. Disability Insurance. Long-term and short-term disability insurance is available, with the employee paying the full premium.
8. Retirement Plan. The County provides a pension plan through the Wisconsin Retirement System. The County pays 50% of the actuarially required WRS contributions for qualifying general employees.
9. Section 125 Flexible Spending Program. The County provides a Section 125 Flexible Benefits Program wherein the employee may set aside pre-tax dollars to use for expenses not covered by insurance or for dependent care expenses.
10. Deferred Compensation Program. The County provides a Section 457 Deferred Compensation Program wherein pre-tax dollars can be deposited in an investment of the employee's choice through providers used by the County.
