Soil Conservation Technician

Soil Conservation Technician

Stevens Point, WI

Application Deadline: Open until Filled

Position Locations: Technician will be located in the NRCS Service Center in Stevens Point, Wisconsin

Overview: Golden Sands Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc. (RC&D) is an equal opportunity employer seeking a Full-Time (40hrs per week) Soil Conservation Technician for a 2-year term. This position will work in joint capacity with Golden Sands RC&D and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) to promote, accelerate enrollment, and coordinate and implement the conservation provisions of the Farm Bill. The position will be based in the NRCS Service Center in Stevens Point, Wisconsin; and will provide conservation technical assistance to agricultural producers located in Central Wisconsin. The staff individual will be an employee of Golden Sands RC&D and will receive daily guidance provided by local NRCS staff. The position is responsible for a variety of duties that assists NRCS District Conservationist and Area Staff Specialists in developing and carrying out a coordinated natural resources conservation program that is tailored to customer needs and meets USDA and NRCS requirements. The funding for this position is provided through a cooperative agreement between Golden Sands RC&D and NRCS. The position has the potential to extend beyond 2 years dependent on funding.

Duties: Gathers preliminary resource inventory data and information on the physical features of agricultural and other natural resource sites. Provides technical support to the conservation planners in resource planning by utilizing applicable survey tools and planning software and assisting with data collection. Checks application feasibility and conducts preliminary engineering surveys to gather design data for structures requiring engineering application. Complete site visits to gather planning and design information. Prepare construction packages and design documentation meeting NRCS standards and specification with assistance and approval by engineering staff. Oversees conservation practice construction and implementation in the field. Checks completed practices to determine that standards and specifications are met. Completes field sheets and recommends acceptability of completed practices to the supervisor for final certification. Advises landowner/operator to complete proper maintenance. Attends meetings and events as a Golden Sands RC&D representative and performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills:

• Knowledge and skills sufficient to conduct engineering surveys and to design practices to be utilized in conservation planning.
• • Knowledge of agricultural and community land-use operations is required to acquire planning data to implement conservation practices.
• • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with agricultural producers with a focus on understanding their goals and objectives for their property.
• • Ability to work independently with limited supervision and with diverse clientele.
• • Strong commitment to quality customer service with landowners and partners.
• • Knowledge of USDA Farm Bill conservation programs.
• • Excellent verbal and written communication.
• • Strong organizational skills.
• • Able to obtain USDA Federal Security Clearance

Preferred Skills:

• - ArcPRO
• • Microsoft suit of software
• • Survey Experience
• • AutoCAD
• • Design expertise and knowledge with a range of agricultural conservation practices.

Education Requirement: 2-year or 4-year college or university degree in natural resource management, soil conservation, or related agricultural field.

Compensation: $18.76 - $23.78/hr commensurate with experience. Benefits include general paid time off, adjusted pay increase of $3/hr after the completion of the 90 day probationary period, and a Simple IRA retirement plan.

Application Requirements: Submit a cover letter, resume, college transcripts, and three professional references to [email protected]. Title your email “Soil Conservation Tech Application.” All documents must be submitted as a pdf.

Pay: $18.76 - $23.78 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Work Location: In person