Soil & Water Conservation Specialist

This posting is a re-advertisement. Candidates who have previously applied are still under consideration and do not need to reapply.

Are you passionate about protecting natural resources and improving soil and water quality? Do you thrive in a role that blends technical expertise, project management, and fieldwork? If so, we invite you to apply for the Soil and Water Conservation Specialist position! This role is a unique opportunity to make a direct impact on environmental conservation efforts within the county. You’ll collaborate with landowners, government agencies, and stakeholders to implement best management practices, reduce pollution, and oversee conservation projects from start to finish.  

If this intrigues you, we invite you to apply to join the Soil & Water Conservation department as a Soil and Water Conservation Specialist.  As a part of the Soil & Water team, this position performs specialized natural resource conservation duties within the county, conducting soil investigations, advising and assisting landowners to reduce pollution in county soil and waters, and coordinating conservation programs.  The primary focus is theresponsibility to manage and fulfill commitments for contracts held with the City of Wilmington Stormwater Services and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture Division of Soil and Water which have specific dates, timelines, and deliverables outlined in a Standard Operating Procedure that must be followed. As a small county department, administrative duties are shared amongst  the team. Tasks include completing purchase orders, allocating monthly procurement card charges, answering the office phone and assisting customers, and updating maps, program information, contracts, reports, and databases.  

The ideal candidate will possess excellent project management skills, the ability to work independently, attention to detail, written and oral communication skills, and organizational skills to manage deadlines effectively and ensure responsive communication with stakeholders.  Essential duties for this position include the following.

• Advises and assists land users in carrying out a variety of natural resource conservation projects.
• Helps land users analyze problems and recommends solutions.
• Inspects sites and conducts soil investigations and other data to ensure compliance with program standards.
• Performs scientific calculations regarding areas of high pollution and makes recommendations to the Board on treatment options.
• Analyzes data using GIS, computer-aided methods, and other analytical methods.
• Performs review of proposed projects and makes recommendations to the Board on project selection.
• Helps landowners establish resource conservation plans, including reviewing the required maintenance on installed devices by property owners for compliance regulations.
• Ensures and documents that practices are installed and maintained, annual inspections are performed and compliance data is tracked.
• Estimates annual stormwater volume reduction amounts.
• Prepares and provides quarterly and annual stormwater program updates.
• Assists in writing and maintaining grants related to natural resource conservation.
• Conducts educational programs and makes demonstrations to create awareness of conservation needs and available programs to assist land owners.
• Assists landowners to obtain necessary permits and HOA permissions.
• Works with state, federal, and local partners on stormwater management cost share programs.
• Oversees contractor surveys, designs and installation of stormwater best management practices such as rain gardens, cisterns, impervious surface conversions, swales, wetlands, tree plantings, etc.
• Administers county and city and provides technical assistance to implement cost-share incentive programs; analyzes problem, estimates cost, calculates stormwater volume reduction, completes application form and certifies cost-share need; certifies correct installation.

New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation is comprised of a team of dedicated professionals who stay committed to the County's goal of protecting and enhancing water quality throughout New Hanover County through land conservation, stormwater management, technical support to citizens and organizations, and conservation education and outreach activities. The ideal candidate for this position will have knowledge of water quality best practices, excellent written and oral communication skills, computer skills and excellent interpersonal skills.

New Hanover County is dedicated to the recruitment and recognition of a talented and diverse workforce that is committed to public service. Our shared values of professionalism, innovation, integrity, stewardship and accountability guide the way we conduct ourselves and deliver services to our customers.  Supported by the work of our Office of Diversity and Equity, New Hanover County celebrates diversity in our employees’ backgrounds, beliefs, identities, and abilities, while supporting growth opportunities for all. Our talented team has a passion for providing care and services that effect change on the everyday lives of the citizens they encounter. The differences that unite us are a reflection of the community we serve.   If this sounds like an organization that models the values you uphold, we invite you to join our team at New Hanover County. 


Hours:
Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm with some weekends needed to attend outreach and/or education events.
Must be available to work during emergency situations.

Salary Information:
New Hanover County offers a competitive salary a competitive benefits package. Please visit our career site at www.nhcgov.com/careers for more information about our benefits. The hiring range for this position is $53,668 -$72,451.00 plus a competitive benefits package. Salary is negotiable within the hiring range, depending on qualifications.

New Hanover County offers:

• Employer paid 401k contributions;
• Retirement plan through the NC Retirement system;
• Flex time and telework availability, depending on your position;
• Paid sick and personal leave 13 paid holidays per year;
• Paid parental leave;
• Paid community services leave to give back to our community;
• Education leave to obtain a degree within your line of work; 
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance many other insurance options; 
• Onsite, employer-paid health and wellness center;
• Professional development trainings & leadership initiatives; 
• Opportunities to make a difference in your community;
• And so much more!

Please check out our careers page at www.nhcgov.com/careers for more information on why New Hanover County is a great place to work.    Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, Soil Conservation, Agriculture, Ecology, Biology, or related field and one (1) year of related experience in natural resource conservation; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Must obtain job approval authority through the North Carolina department of agriculture division of soil and water within the two years of employment.

What will make your application stand out:
Proven ability to manage projects and adhere to deadlines.
Experience working with similar conservation programs.
Demonstrated ability to work independently in a team environment.

Valid North Carolina Driver License required by first date of employment with good driving record.

This position is open until filled, however, priority consideration will be given to applications received by Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

After the closing date for this position applications will be screened by Human Resources. Applicants referred to the department will receive an email requesting important information pertinent to the position applied for. Please be sure to check your email for this communication so we may proceed with the next step in the recruitment process in a timely manner.

Salary : $22 - $38