To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Tippecanoe County provides reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Rural Conservationist for County Commissioners, responsible for providing technical and educational assistance to land owners/users in developing, planning, and applying natural resource conservation measures.   

DUTIES:

• Assists individuals, farmers, land operators, and governmental agencies in planning and developing conservation plans for farms or land holdings, including land use, erosion control, crop rotation, drainage system, wildlife habitat restoration, sediment control practices, animal waste management utilization and structures.
• Supervises application of soil and water conservation systems, such as windbreaks, diversions, stripcropping, outlets, and structures. Provides guidance in agronomic, woodland, and wildlife practices.
• Analyzes, formulates, designs, and recommends alternative soil and water conservation solutions consistent with USDA and NRCS standards. Surveys, designs, and outlines conservation practices and assists land users in applying conservation systems. 
• Establishes physical location of conservation practices, including structures within County; maps location of conservation practices.
• Assists with development and maintenance of follow-up programs, including providing technical assistance to cooperators in application and maintenance of conservation practices. Discusses various conservation techniques with landowners, including encouraging such owners to apply, revise, and expand conservation and water quality plans.
• Initiates research projects and opportunities with partners to enhance current conservation standards, specifications, and programs.
• Prepares United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other cost-share and program information.  
• Assists SWCD Board of Supervisors and public with resource conservation issues; collects data and analyzes resource conservation needs within County.
• Interprets detailed soil surveys for rural and community residents; provides technical assistance with implementing survey results, including suggesting alternative uses and treatment for rural lands.
• Advises landowners and decision makers on seedbed preparation, species selection, seeding rates, herbicide application, and maintenance of conservation buffers and wildlife habitat plantings.
• Coordinates warm season grass planting on private and public lands with district equipment, including scheduling equipment usage, calibrating drill, and instructing landowners on proper use. Maintains warm season grass supply inventory, including ordering seeds from vendors.
• Coordinates workshops, tours, and field days, including preparing multimedia programs and communicating with landowners, decision makers, and the public on benefits of rural conservation methods.
• Locates and submits proposals for alternate funding sources, such as fund-raising projects and grants.
• Provides ecological, botanical, and biological recommendations and technical assistance to landowners and entities engaged in land use conversions.
• Prepares articles and information for SWCD newsletters, press releases, and research updates.
• Enters data into PRMS software for annual report to SWCD/NRCS. Trains, directs, and mentors assigned staff and volunteers, including making work assignments, on GIS mapping products and USDA reporting software.
• Serves on Rural Conservation Committee, including preparing and implementing annual plan of work and preparing annual budgets for SWCD Board of Supervisors’ approval; serves as committee representative at meetings and training sessions.
• Attends educational opportunities for skill enhancement and professional development.  
• Answers telephone and greets office visitors as needed.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

I. JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Baccalaureate degree required in agronomy, forestry, natural resources, or related field; Master’s degree or combination of equivalent education and work experience preferred.
• Ability to meet all departmental hiring and retention requirements, including passage of drug screen.
• Knowledge of USDA, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Agriculture, and SWCD programs, policies, procedures, and legal requirements, with ability to provide technical assistance to the public.
• Knowledge of agronomy, soil conservation, forestry, biology, hydrology, including related concepts, principles, techniques, and practices. 
• Knowledge of area social and economic conditions effecting conservation measures.
• Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare correspondence, documents, and written reports as required; ability to prepare conservation plans, report progress, and account for time.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, USDA computer software programs, GIS, and GPS. 
• Ability to clearly present technical soil and water conservation proposals, projects, objectives, and goals to members of formal conservation boards and organizations, representatives of local and state government, and news media. 
• Ability to follow established policies and procedures in assembling technical data for individuals, groups, and units of governments.
• Ability to organize and utilize natural resources information and data to gain interest and support of conservation leaders and governmental agencies. 
• Ability to coordinate activities with land users, contractors, and other government and non-government organizations.
• Ability to train, mentor, and/or direct assigned personnel, including making work assignments.
• Ability to report concerns and trends to District and partners.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate area soil and water resources and environmental conditions adversely affecting agricultural and non-agricultural production in rural areas contributing to soil erosion and surface water pollution.
• Ability to recommend optimum and alternative resource development strategies to local and regional boards and units of government; ability to provide advice and to design resource management systems and alternatives for individuals and landowners.
• Ability to properly operate a variety of standard and Department equipment and software, including fax machine, telephone, GPS unit, surveying rod and level, D-Tape, Clinometer, and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to compare and observe similarities and differences between data, people, or things; perform arithmetic operations; compile, collate, classify, and analyze data; and take action based on data analysis. 
• Ability to apply knowledge of people and locations and plan and layout assigned work projects.
• Ability to read and interpret detailed prints, sketches, layouts, specifications, and maps.
• Ability to prepare detailed reports and plan and present public speaking presentations, fund raisers, and special events.
• Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of Department information and records according to state requirements.
• Ability to comply with all employer and Department work policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
• Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/hostile persons.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, farmers, land operators, governmental agencies, and various environmental organizations and agencies, including Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Purdue Extension, AgVenture D & M, Spence Restoration Nursery, Wabash River Enhancement Corporation, Farm Services Agency, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.
• Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment.
• Ability to work on several tasks at the same time and work rapidly for long periods, occasionally under time pressure.
• Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written or oral instructions and present findings in oral or written form.
• Ability to occasionally work extended hours, weekends, evenings, and occasionally travel out of town to meet with landowners and agencies and travel out of town overnight for conferences and trainings.
• Possession of a valid driver's license and demonstrated safe driving record.

II. DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

Incumbent performs assignments guided by broad polices and/or general objectives and refers to supervisor when interpretations of departmental policies, programs, and expenditures are thought necessary. Frequently, decisions are made which are restricted only by organization-wide polices. Work is reviewed primarily for effect on Department goals and objectives and technical accuracy. 

III. RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent performs duties according to state and federal guidelines and department goals and objectives. Incumbent is responsible for providing technical and educational assistance to land owners/users in developing, planning, and applying natural resource conservation measures. Incumbent may exercise independent judgment when analyzing soil and water conservation needs, developing cost-effective plans, and monitoring compliance.    

IV. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, farmers, land operators, governmental agencies, and various environmental organizations and agencies, including Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Purdue Extension, AgVenture D & M, Spence Restoration Nursery, Wabash River Enhancement Corporation, and Farm Services Agency, and the public for purposes of giving and receiving information, teaching or present subject matter, and exchanging ideas, information, and opinions.

Incumbent reports directly to SWCD Board and District Administrator.

V. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs duties in a standard office environment and outdoors, involving sitting and walking at will, standing and walking for long periods, working extreme hot or cold temperatures, working with or near chemicals, including herbicides and chemical sprays, working near fumes, odors, dust, and dirt, walking on uneven terrain, working in wet and icy surroundings, bending at waist, depth and color perception, far vision, handling and grasping objects, reaching, lifting over 50 pounds, crouching and kneeling, hearing sounds and communication, carrying objects, and fingering objects.

Protective clothing and equipment must be worn at all times according to Department guidelines.

Incumbent occasionally works extended hours, weekends, evenings, and occasionally travels out of town to meet with landowners and agencies and travels out of town overnight for conferences and trainings.