Land & Water Conservation -Conservation Specialist

***DO NOT APPLY THROUGH INDEED***

All interested applicants MUST fill out a VERNON COUNTY APPLICATION FORMwith Vernon County. Application and a complete job description can be found on our website at www.vernoncounty.orgby clicking our Job Opportunities page.

Position Summary

This position description has been prepared to assist in evaluating duties, responsibilities, and skills of the position. It is not intended as a complete list of specific responsibilities and duties, nor is it intended to limit duties to those listed.

This position is responsible for administration of the Wisconsin DNR Runoff Management Program and the Vernon County Manure Storage Ordinance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Administers Wisconsin DNR Runoff Management Program

• Develops a systematic and comprehensive implementation strategy and incorporates it into the Land and Water Resource Management Plan.

• Develops interagency working agreements with partners to establish roles and responsibilities that each partner will assume in implementing NR 151.

• Develops Information and Educational materials to inform landowners about new state performance standards.

• Delivers information and education materials (via media, newsletters, public information meetings, and one-on-one contacts).

• Compiles records and determines which landowners are currently already meeting standards and prohibitions.

• Compiles list of parcels for which on-site evaluations will be conducted, according to systematic methodology developed in county Land and Water Resource Management plan.

• Contacts owners, schedules site evaluations, determines and documents the extent of current compliance with each of the performance standards and prohibitions.

• Where non-compliant, determines costs and eligibility for cost sharing and develop contracts.

• Prepares and issues NR 151 Status Reports to owners of the evaluated parcels, identifying corrective measures options, rough cost estimates, and sources for technical assistance and grant funding sources.

• Keeps and maintains evaluation and compliance information as public record.

• Develops and issues cost-share contract (including conservation practices to be

installed, estimated costs and project schedule and notification requirements under

NR151.09 (5-6).

• Issues notification, under state and/or local laws, to landowners unwilling to comply

with performance standards prohibitions.

• Technical Services and oversight –

o Provides conservation plan assistance.

o Reviews conservation plans prepared by other parties.

o Provides engineering design assistance.

o Reviews engineering designs provided by other parties.

o Provides construction oversight.

o Evaluates and certifies installation of conservation practices.

• Conducts compliance evaluations and issues letters of compliance after practices are

installed.

• Prepares and issues “Notice of NR151 Violation” letter, or other appropriate notice per

local ordinance.

• Schedules and participates in enforcement conferences.

• Conducts periodic evaluations to verify ongoing compliance, responds to public

complaints alleging non-compliance and ensures new owners are aware of NR151

compliance information that may pertain to the property they have just acquired.

• Annual Reporting:

o Maintains and conveys a record of annual site evaluations which shows their

location and compliance status.

o Reports estimated timeframe and staff resources needed to complete remaining

site evaluations in the County.

o Maintains a record of estimated costs of corrective measures for each parcel that

has been evaluated and for which corrective measures have been estimated.

o Maintains and conveys a record showing parcels where public cost sharing has been

applied to implement standards and prohibitions, the amount and source of those

funds, and the landowner share.

o Maintains and conveys a record and location of parcels receiving notifications and

violation letters.

o Maintains and conveys a record of the annual cost of technical and administrative

assistance needed to administer agricultural performance standards and

prohibitions, as established in NR151.

o Other reports as may be required in ATCP50.

o Compiles locally developed reports into regional and statewide NR 1551 Progress

Reports.

Co-Administers the Manure Storage Ordinance

• Collects and records fees paid to the department as part of the Manure Storage

Ordinance.

• Performs topographic relief maps for landowners wanting manure storage.

• Reviews Nutrient Management plans as part of the requirements for constructing

manure storage.

• Coordinates with Area Soil Scientist to perform “on-site” soils investigations.

Technical Job Certification

• Maintains and works to receive “Conservation Job Approval” for the following practices:

waterways, grade stabilization, rock rip-rap, and critical area seedings.

• Develops skills to proficiently utilize the “Total Station Survey Instrument”.

• Develops skills to proficiently utilize AutoCAD for designing conservation practices.

• Surveys, designs, bids-out, and oversees construction of erosion control and animal

waste projects.

• Survey Grade GPS

Technical Service Provider – Farm Bill

• Becomes certified to become a “Technical Service Provider” to implement various

Federal Programs (Conservation planning, installing conservation practices).

• Develops reports to satisfy Natural Resources Conservation funding.

Related Job Functions

• Performs backup operations on computer.

• Responsible for working safely and following safety practices and standards of the

facility; responsible for reporting and/or correcting any existing or potential safety or

accident hazard.

• Establishes and maintains effective working relationship with co-workers and others.

• Attends training sessions, L&WCC and other meetings as requested.

• Performs related work as required or directed.

Physical Demands

About 65% of the time is spent inside sitting, using hearing, near vision, and fingering for

typing, word-processing, calculators, or other office machines; talks to clients, callers,

department staff. 10% of indoor time moves about the office, and standing, reaching,

bending in order to perform filing or other duties. 35% of time is spent outdoors in physical

walking over difficult terrain in all types of weather conditions, sometimes carrying

equipment (5 to 30 lbs.). Must be physically capable to operate hand tools weighing 5 to 25

lb. 10% of outdoor time is spent driving.

• Involves minimal potential and/or direct exposure to blood or body fluids.

Education and Training Requirements

• Requires Bachelor’s degree in watershed management, civil or agricultural engineering,

soil and Water Conservation, soil sciences, natural resources, or a related field and two

years experiences; and/or a two-year degree from an accredited vocational or technical

school in a related field and three years’ experience. Employee must be in the process

of becoming certified or have already obtained certification of “Conservation Planning”,

and Natural Resources Conservation Service “Job Approval” for waterways, dams, rock

rip-rap, and critical area seedings. In evaluating candidates for this position, the County

may consider a combination of education, experience and training that provides the

necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

• Possession of a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation with adequate auto

insurance to meet minimum County requirements, or access to reliable transportation

for city and rural travel.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $31.40 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person