Purpose & Role:
Work in a joint capacity with Glacierland Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc. (Glacierland RC&D) and Brown County to promote, accelerate enrollment, and coordinate and implement the conservation provisions of the Farm Bill. The position will be based in the Brown County Land & Water Conservation Department office in Green Bay, Wisconsin and will provide conservation technical assistance to landowners in Brown County. The incumbent will be an employee of Glacierland RC&D and will receive daily guidance as needed from Brown County staff.
This position is responsible for a variety of duties which assists Brown County’s Land & Water Conservation Dept. in developing and carrying out a coordinated natural resources conservation program that is tailored to landowners' needs and meets county and USDA requirements.
The funding for this position is depended on grant funding and is provided through a grant agreement with Glacierland RC&D for a one-year term. Funding extensions will be sought upon work success and funding availability.
Duties:
- Conducts outreach and provides technical assistance to private landowners, local government bodies, tribal entities, state and Federal agencies, and the general public in the development, application, and maintenance of a coordinated natural resources conservation program. This position requires multi-faceted skills an may include varying job duties to include: developing and managing conservation plans and providing technical assistance related to the Deer Management Assistance Program, the Wisconsin Farmland Preservation Program, demonstration farm network, the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Program, conservation planning, NRCS Farm Bill programming, invasive species mapping, monitoring and control, among others.
- Works with landowners to develop conservation plans and maps addressing natural resource concerns on farmland, pasture, forestland, and wildlife land; provides information concerning Farm Bill conservation programs. Performs on-site inventory and evaluations; recommends and conducts necessary preliminary surveys; prepares designs, plans, cost estimates and provides recommendations for feasible practices to solve non-point resource and habitat concerns. Recommends conservation practices to landowners which help control soil erosion and conserve soil and water.
- Oversees conservation practice construction and implementation in the field. Checks completed practices to determine that standards and specifications are met and recommends acceptability of completed practices for final certification. Advises landowner/operator to complete proper maintenance.
- Performs informational duties such as writing stories and news articles, giving talks at meetings; participating in conservation demonstrations; conducting conservation field tours; staffing Brown County and Glacierland RC&D displays at various outreach events, and conducting outreach and attending meetings as a Brown County and Glacierland RC&D representative.
- Coordinates closely with partners working on demonstration (demo) farm networks including demo farm project managers, NRCS demo farm coordinators, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and county land and water department staff.
- Assist with administrative office duties including filing, copying, mailing, record keeping, etc.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Required Skills:
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with agricultural producers with a focus on understanding their goals and objectives for their property.
- Knowledge of soil conservation, agronomy, natural resource conservation, and ability to utilize planning tools in the development of conservation plans.
- Experience with the use of ArcMap and GIS for conservation planning.
- 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.
- Ability to work outdoors, and traverse variable landscapes in all weather conditions.
- Valid driver’s license required; some use of personal vehicle may be required (mileage reimbursement provided).
- Occasional travel required.
Education Requirement:
Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in natural resource management, soil conservation, or related agricultural field. Preference will be given to candidates with work experience in conservation planning.