Natural Resource Conservationist

Salary : $45,228.00 - $72,835.00 Annually

Location : Nashville, NC

Job Type : Full Time

Job Number : 2025-00005

Department : Soil & Water Conservation

Opening Date : 01 / 17 / 2025

Closing Date : 1 / 24 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Eastern

General Statement of Duties

Join Our Team as a Natural Resource Conservationist!

Are you passionate about agriculture, conservation, and making a difference in your community? We're looking for a motivated and team-oriented professional with knowledge of natural resources, forestry, or agriculture to help protect and preserve Nash County's environment. If you have strong communication skills, the ability to read maps, and a service-first attitude we'd love to hear from you!

Our Natural Resource Conservationist performs professional, technical and consultative work advising farmers and landowners on a variety of soil, water and natural resources conservation practices.

Employees in this class provide technical consultation and assistance developing conservation plans and specialized conservation practices to address water quality problems and erosion control and works with land users, landowners and citizens on ways of best management practices for natural resources and watershed management. Work includes making field visits, studying conservation plans, gathering data on existing land and water conditions, analyzing conservation problems, and developing recommended solutions. Employee provides technical assistance to clients various programs for funding conservation efforts and provides compliance assistance and help with eligibility requirements for USDA benefits. Independent professional judgment and initiative are exercised in on the spot consultations as well as after more detailed analysis and evaluation. Work requires some physical effort and is performed under hazards present in farm construction work. The employee is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, and extremely hot and cold temperatures, noise, fumes, odors, dusts, mists, and gases. Work involves extensive public contact which requires tact and courtesy. Work is performed under the direction of the Resource Conservation Director with additional technical assistance from the Natural Resource Conservation Service Staff.

Essential Duties and Tasks

Contacts and meets with landowners, farmers, etc.; reviews soil and water conservation problems on their land; gathers data on crop history, field arrangement, problem areas, and other related information regarding the farm.

Evaluates and analyzes problem situations on site and in the office; develops feasible alternative solutions considering the land capabilities, desires and needs of the owner / operator and in accordance with standards and effective conservation practices.

Coordinates and schedules assistance from other personnel and landowners to complete the conservation measures.

Contacts and follows up with owners / operators on existing conservation plans such as NC Agriculture Cost Share, Conservation Reserve, Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), Community Conservation Assistance Program, Aquaculture Water Resources Assistance Program and reviews status of plans; recommends changes; encourages continued use of and involvement in the agreed program; pulls percentage of erosion control plans and performs site reviews.

Designs conservation plans within approved certification level; consults with and requests higher level design from engineers or other state agencies when required.

Assists in maintaining database covering lands tract in the County; enters data on projects and generates maps.

Coordinates and handles special projects as assigned such as emergency watershed protection, clean-up following hurricanes or other disasters; review of animals waste; communicates with landowners regarding clean-up of waterways; development of riparian buffers; coordinates with contractors performing the work; and conducts site inspection while work is in progress and once work is complete.

Assists in enforcing federal and state legislative mandates such as farm bill mandates; assists landowners / farmers in developing or revising plans, servicing plans and conducting status reviews.

Assist individual homeowners with erosion and drainage concerns.

Develops reports and keeps records in support of assignments.

Promotes various conservation program efforts; secures volunteers, coordinates schedules and organizes volunteer duties.

Operates and maintains county vehicle, computer, and various office equipment, surveying equipment and hand tools.

Provide project updates to the Resource Conservation Director as required.

Additional Job Duties

Attends training and professional development to increase skills and maintain certifications.

Performs related duties as required.

Knowledges, Skills and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of modern principles and practices of natural resource conservation and management, including background in civil / agricultural engineering as applied to soil, water, and plant and wildlife conservation.

Knowledge and skills to develop conservation plans involving a variety of soil patterns and conservation practices such as contour, terraces, tilling, open ditch drainage, farm ponds and lagoons, diversions, strip tillage, crop rotation, tree planting and waterways.

Ability to analyze and evaluate natural resource and engineering problems and develop corrective recommendations for improvements.

Ability to use computer and mapping programs associated with the work.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with landowners / tenants, peers, supervisors, employees, state agencies, other departments, and the general public.

Ability to discuss natural resource management issues with lay and professional audiences.

Ability to make sound professional judgments in all aspects of the work.

Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public, especially in sensitive situations.

Desirable Education and Experience

Graduate from four year college with a degree in natural resource management, civil or agricultural engineering or related field, and considerable experience in planning and implementing land use practices which conserve soil, water, forest and wildlife resources; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Valid NC Drivers and NC Pesticide License

Ability to obtain and maintain a variety of program-specific certifications within timeframes as specified by the county.

INSURANCE PROGRAMS

Group Health Insurance

Nash County provides full time and part-time benefit eligible employees working 30 plus hours per week with Health Insurance coverage with the North Carolina State Health Plan

Included in each selection is :

• Preventative Care Coverage
• Prescription Coverage
• Chiropractic Coverage

Health Insurance may become effective for employees the first day of the month following employment.

Group Dental Insurance

Nash County provides full-time and part-time regular employees working 30 plus hours per week. Dental Insurance becomes effective for employees the first day of the month following the 30th day of employment.

Group Life Insurance

Nash County provides term Life Insurance for full-time and part-time regular employees working 30 or more hours per week.

Life insurance is paid for you by Nash County and pays your beneficiary one time your annual salary not to exceed $200,000 in the event of your death. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is also provided.

Life Insurance becomes effective the first day of the month following 30 days of employment. Voluntary supplemental term life insurance coverage for you, your spouse or your dependent children is also available - please see the Human Resources Department for more details.

Short Term Disability Insurance

Nash County provides active full-time regular employees working 30 plus hours per week the option to purchase Short Term Disability Insurance.

Short Term Disability Insurance may cover up to 70% of an employee's monthly salary with a maximum of $2,000 per month, in the event of an injury or illness, for up to 13 weeks.

FINANCIAL PROGRAMS

Retirement

Membership in the North Carolina Local Government Employees Retirement System is a requirement for all regular full-time and regular part-time employees. Employees contribute 6% of their annual compensation before it is taxed. If you leave County service before retirement, you may withdraw your retirement contributions or elect to freeze your contributions in anticipation of future local government employment. If you have 5 years of service, you are 100% vested in the NCLGERS.

NC401(k)

The NC401(k) supplemental retirement program is available to regular full-time and regular part-time employees. The County establishes this 401(k) account for each eligible employee and makes a 5% contribution based on monthly earnings. Employees may elect to make voluntary contributions through payroll deduction.

457 Deferred Compensation

The 457 Deferred Compensation program is available to regular full-time and regular part-time employees through payroll deduction. Deferred compensation is a voluntary investment plan to supplement retirement income and to defer taxable income.

Special Separation Allowance

The Separation Allowance is available to law enforcement officers between the ages of 55 and 62 years that are eligible and retire under the provisions of the NC Local Government Employees Retirement System.

125 Flexible Benefit Plan

Flexible Spending Account options are available to regular full-time and regular part-time employees who wish to use pre-tax dollars for eligible medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, and daycare expenses. The Flex Convenience Card program gives you instant access to your account funds.

Direct Deposit

Direct Deposit is a condition of employment for all employees. Deposit of your paycheck will be made to checking or savings accounts in a bank of your choice.

Credit Union

Local Government Federal Credit Union membership is available to all employees. Once you join, you can remain a member for as long as you choose. Immediate family members such as spouse, children, stepchildren, brothers, sisters, and parents can all become members.

Employees of both the Departments of Social Services and Public Health are eligible to join the State Employees Credit Union.

LEAVE PROGRAMS

Vacation Leave

For regular full-time County employees, vacation leave accrues based on length of service. Regular part-time employees accrue prorated vacation leave based on a percentage of the full-time benefit.

Sick Leave

For regular full-time County employees, sick leave accrues at 8.0 hours per month. Regular part-time employees accrue prorated sick leave based on a percentage of the full-time benefit. Your unused sick leave balance can be applied as creditable service toward a service retirement under the guidelines of the NCLGERS.

Holidays

The policy of the County is to follow the holiday schedule as published by the State of North Carolina each year.

The following holidays are observed :

Military Leave

Annual Training - Reserves and National Guard -Ten paid workdays per fiscal year.

Active Duty - Reserves and National Guard - Ten paid workdays upon activation.

Civil Leave

Paid leave is provided to full-time or regular part-time County employees called for jury duty or as a witness of the court for the federal or state government, or a subdivision thereof.

Family Medical Leave Act

Federal law provides job protection and continuation of existing paid health insurance during 12 weeks of leave, paid or unpaid, to an eligible employee for qualifying events. These events can include birth or adoption, and serious illness of an immediate family member, or of the employee.

OTHER PROGRAMS

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Employee Assistance Program is open to all employees and their dependents. It is a confidential service provided at no cost to the employees of the County. EAP provides certified counselors who administer assessment and brief therapy to employees who want help with a variety of personal and work-related issues such as stress, parenting concerns, grief, alcohol / drug use, family problems, financial concerns, and work-related problems.

Wellness Center and Telemedicine

We believe that staying healthy is inclusive of exercising regularly and taking care of your physical body. Nash County has a Wellness Center, which consists of various exercise equipment and videos, open to all full and part-time employees.

All full-time employees also have access to telemedicine through Teladoc. Teladoc treats conditions like allergies, sore throats, asthma, and more. Doctors are available by phone or video 24 / 7 from wherever you are. They are available to diagnose symptoms and send a prescription if needed.

NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

The benefits offered by Nash County are subject to change. In the event there is a conflict between the above contents and Nash County policies and / or a State or Federal statute, the policy / statute shall control. Plan documents will govern benefits plans should there be a conflict with this information. They are not held out to any employee as part of any contractual agreement. Benefits, policies, and procedures are subject to change or termination at any time.

Information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Actual provisions of each plan will be provided on the certificate of coverage as part of the Summary Plan description.

Nash County is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Provider

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family / parental status, income derived from public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs).

Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http : / / www.ascr.usda.gov / complaint filing cust.html and any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form.

To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by :

1. mail : U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

2. fax : (202) 690-7442; or

3. email : program.intake@usda.gov

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Which best describes your level of education?

Do you currently have a NC Pesticides License?

Do you have any knowledge of conservation, natural resource management, non-point source pollution or water quality issues?

Required Question

Salary : $45,228 - $72,835