Resource Conservationist

Primary Assignment: Agricultural Management and Nutrient Management

The purpose of this position is to provide technical expertise in natural resource protection and programming to meet the Todd County SWCD Annual Plan of Work, local watershed management objectives and the County Comprehensive Plan. The position is responsible for conducting property reviews and inspections, developing sound and reasonable solutions regarding water quality, soil health, and natural resource conservation, and assisting property owners and other stakeholders in conservation initiatives and wise land management in regards to long-term sustainability, resiliency, and natural resource protection. The position also assists the general public and landowners with programs overseeing any associated local and state regulations. At times, this position will be involved in County and State program enforcement procedures. Work is performed in the field approximately two thirds of the time and one third is deskwork, year-round.

Basic Performance Expectations of all Todd County Staff

• Serve as a positive example to other County personnel with regard to workplace actions, decisions, work skills, attitude and adherence to workplace policy and procedures.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, is honest, fair and dependable.
• Embody teamwork and cooperation within and across County departments and with the public.
• Communicate effectively with the Department Head and keep supervisor apprised of important matters ongoing in the department.
• Respect all colleagues, co-workers, board members and the public and lead those around you to do the same.
• This position requires regular and timely attendance in accordance with the department schedule.
• Perform other duties as assigned or apparent.

The following duties are normal for this position. These duties are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required as assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function as assigned. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Serves as the primary field staff for SWCD and County programs
• Maintains understanding of county and division policy.
• Maintains understanding of SWCD work plans and goals.
• Assists in the development of voluntary easement applications per customer request.
• Seeks problem resolution, financial assistance, and recommends best management practices to landowners.
• Designs conservation and site-specific project plans, estimates material volumes, creates bid packets, develops contracts, oversees construction installation, and certifies projects as complete to design specs. Job Approval Authorities must be earned in order to design, oversee, and certify these projects.
• Completes surveys, elevation checks, and stake-outs using a GPS Trimble Unit.
• Reviews permit applications, contractor and landowner liability forms, issues permits, Notices of Decisions, Letters of Warning, and/or Notices of Violation in accordance with program rules.
• Assists in the maintenance of an accurate, up to date program inventories.
• Provides technical and informational assistance to property owners.
• Responds to complaints regarding natural resources and reports on findings.
• Assists customers on program permit applications.
• Reviews County Ordinances, variance requests, county forfeited lands, plats and permit applications per direction of the Division Director, and collaborates with District Manager in providing technical expertise, findings, suitable controls, or conditions for permitting or other decision-making processes.
• Coordinates, advertises, and organizes outreach events and advertising.
• Conducts regulatory compliance inspections, as certified, in accordance with state and county program regulations and delegation agreements/
• Prepares letters of compliance and inspection reports.
• Provides courteous and prompt customer service to inquiries including program setbacks, zoning restrictions, permitted uses, and compliance status.
• Prepares technical reports and facilitates presentations to the SWCD Board and other groups.
• Collaborates with associative partners such as agricultural groups, contractors, lake associations, townships, cities, BWSR, DNR, NRCS, FSA, MPCA, MDH, BAH, FSA, Pheasants Forever, UMN Extension, neighboring counties, SWCDs, and Watershed Districts.
• Assists in the development of grant applications.

The following services and associated duties shall be assigned depending on the agency needs with consideration given to employee strengths. Employees shall be expected to be assigned in multiple program areas.

• Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs)
• AgBMP and Department of Ag Grants and Loan Opportunity Assistance
• MN Ag Water Quality Certification (MAWQCP)
• Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)
• Buffer Law
• Construction Stormwater and Erosion Control Certification- Construction Installer
• Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Observation Well Monitoring
• Forest and Prairie Grass Management
• Irrigation Scheduler Program
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)- Delegated Feedlot Program
• Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Job Approval Authority
• Nutrient Management Conservation Planning
• Lawns to Legumes
• One Watershed, One Plans (1W1P) and Implementation
• Re-Invest In Minnesota (RIM) and other associated easements
• Riparian and Shoreland Assistance Program
• Soil and Water Conservation Grants
• Soil Health
• Surface Water Assessments
• Walk- In Access Program
• Wetland Conservation Act (WCA)

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, livestock operations, environmental studies, natural resources or related field and experience in agriculture, livestock operations or natural resources or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Certification in Construction Stormwater and Erosion Control- Construction Installer within one year of hire.
• Certification in two Job Approval Authorities (JAA) NRCS practice codes or certification in wetland delineation within three years of hire.
• Computer data entry skills.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Must pass a criminal background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Wetland delineation certification.
• Certified manure management conservation planner.
• JAA experience in riparian or agricultural best management practices/ NRCS codes.
• Experience working with GPS Trimble Unit/Work Station, and ARCGIS Pro.
• Work experience in and knowledge of Todd County rural landscapes and livestock operations larger than 50 animal units.

• Ability to communicate with elected officials, staff, outside governmental agencies, consultants and the public in a friendly, positive, professional manner.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the rules, regulations, policies, processes and procedures of the Todd County SWDC Division.
• Ability to understand and interpret ordinances, policies and regulations.
• Ability to read maps, blue prints and scale.
• Knowledge of legal descriptions and basic survey techniques.
• Ability to prepare reports and maintain records.
• Ability to review and compute bids and build contracting documents.
• Ability to learn and operate different measurement tools, field accessories, and monitoring equipment.
• Base knowledge of general land use practices.
• Ability to conduct inspections and assess situations, safety, and field conditions.
• Ability to work independently and willingness to learn from and contribute to a team environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to share creative ideas, new approaches, or different perspectives.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force; work frequently speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and reaching with hands and arms and occasionally requires standing, walking, sitting, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception and night vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

Salary : $32 - $42