JOB VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Private Lands Wetland Easement Team Specialist
Washington, Iowa
Job not to exceed 2.5 years, potential for renewal
Application Deadline: July 13, 2016
Anticipated Start Date: July 25, 2016
Overview & Job Duties:
Work in a joint capacity with Conservation Districts of Iowa (CDI), Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) to assist with development of wetland restoration plans of operations (WRPOs), prepare management plans and compatible use requests, coordinate restoration activities, and implement restoration vision of multi-disciplinary team on existing and future Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE). Activities will include conservation planning, easement monitoring, on-site habitat assessments, plan and proposal writing, coordination of appropriate plans and reports, coordination with Area Private Lands Biologists and Easement Specialists to ensure habitats meet needs of wildlife, including those listed as threatened or endangered. Provide technical assistance for wildlife habitat enhancement techniques to private landowners and public organizations. Attend Iowa DNR Private Lands Program trainings and meetings.
The incumbent will work in the following areas
Housed in the Washington USDA-NRCS office covering the entirety of Iowa USDA-NRCS Area 5
The incumbent is an employee of Conservation Districts of Iowa and receive supervision from CDI with daily instruction provided by the local USDA-NRCS Area Easement Specialist. Will work closely with Iowa DNR Private Lands Biologist in conjunction with the USDA-NRCS agreement funding the position. Training and support will be provided by both the NRCS Area Easement Specialist and the Iowa DNR in particular the Private Lands Biologist. The incumbent will provide wetland biological/habitat expertise to and coordinate activities of multi-disciplinary restoration planning team, including civil engineers, engineering technicians, soil scientists, wildlife biologists, and others as appointed. The incumbent will be knowledgeable of all USDA Farm Bill Conservation Programs, IA DNR, IDALS and local programs to private landowners and participants, with special emphasis on USDA’s ACEP-WRE.
Duties:
Serve as coordinator for interdisciplinary wetland easement restoration teams (hereafter, “Team”)
Assist Team with development of wetland restoration plans/plan of operations (WRPOs) and management plans for conservation easements
Assist Team with policy reviews to ensure compliance of all ACEP-WRE applications and subsequent WRPOs with NEPA and other federal and state statutes
Assist with technical reviews in order to prepare compatible use requests from and for landowners
Conduct on- and off-site monitoring of easements to document progress towards meeting habitat and management goals set out in WRPOs
Assist with documentation and monitoring of potential easement use violations as appropriate
Assist with monitoring of on-going, on-site restoration activities to ensure conformance to applicable USDA-NRCS practice standards and applicable WRPO activities
Work closely with Iowa DNR Area Private Lands Biologist as needed to ensure habitat requirements are met for wildlife as planned in WRPO, with special attention to habitat requirements of any threatened or endangered species planned for or affected by easement restoration
Provide technical assistance to landowners and clients in field offices as needed or assigned
Where assigned, assist with development of new ACEP-WRE applications
Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities:
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with landowners and partner agencies.
Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse clientele.
Ability to work outdoors in wetland environments and associated risks and difficulties, including but not limited to temperature, water, terrain, insects, agricultural runoff, and others.
Knowledge of wildlife ecology, wetland-associated threatened and endangered species, and wetland and upland management including the ability to utilize various habitat management tools in the development of management plans
Knowledge of basic land survey principles, including use of laser-planes, GPS, and other survey instruments
Knowledge of agricultural drainage practices, systems, and moist-soil management
Knowledge of basic legal documents as related to land ownership and management
Excellent verbal and written communication.
Proficiency with computer software programs such as Microsoft Office, ArcGIS or USDA Toolkit.
Strong organizational skills.
Valid driver’s license required; some use of personal vehicle may be required (mileage reimbursement provided).
Ability to utilize UTV/ATV, including transport of such vehicles by trailer
Some overnight and evening work required
Able to obtain USDA Federal Security Clearance.
Training and Experience Guideline: A general qualification guideline for this position is a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management or closely related natural resources field.
Starting Salary: $38,400, Health Benefits and Retirement Package, Paid holidays, 2 weeks paid leave
To Apply: Please include your cover letter, resume and 3 professional references as 1 word document or PDF file. Send to admin@cdiowa.org by 5 PM on Wednesday, July 13.
