Job Opening & Description
District Technician
The Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District is currently seeking applications for the position of a District Technician.
Interested applicants for the position may send a resume to the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District by June 2, 2023, either mailing it or emailing to the address below.
Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District
319 S. Hwy 92
Dandridge, TN 37725
Or by email at:
DISTRICT TECHNICIAN
Job Description
The District Technician serves under the general guidelines of the Jefferson County Soil & Water Conservation District (JCSWCD) Board of Supervisors and Jefferson County Government. This position will have the primary responsibility of developing, designing, and implementing plans and programs for natural resource conservation, erosion control and water quality improvement on farms and other private lands; and provide technical and financial assistance to individuals, groups, and units of government through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) cost-share grant programs.
EVALUATION FACTORS
Minimum Training & Qualifications
· Minimum entry-level requirements for the proposed position include a bachelor’s degree with a major study in soil conservation, agronomy, forestry, wildlife biology, environmental science, agricultural engineering, animal science or agricultural education and minimum of one year or more in related experience.
· A valid Tennessee driver’s license is required.
· Ability to pass a drug test.
· An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered for employment into the position.
· Once an offer of employment has been tendered, an applicant must pass county and federal background checks that allow the Soil Conservationist to handle and maintain confidentiality on personally identifiable information (PII).
· Skill in effectively communicating with a wide variety of individuals, groups, and organizations of all ages is a necessity. Employee should be able to explain and advocate measures, plans, and objectives at informal meetings and tours involving producers, elected officials, educators, state, county, and city conservation leaders, news media, and representatives from federal and state government agencies. Ability to clearly present supporting facts and data justifying the rationale of specific measures and alternatives, while being mindful to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.
Competencies
• Ensure regular, punctual attendance during scheduled work hours and all meetings as directed by the JCSWCD Board and Jefferson County Government, including the occasional extended hours and travel out of town for meetings, sometimes overnight
• Basic understanding of computers, printers, and other office equipment
• Ability to focus and demonstrate great attention to detail
• Ability to work cooperatively as a member of a team
• Ability to function in a position of moderate complexity
• Ability to regularly solve difficult problems and occasionally responsible for solving complex problems
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to engage in frequent communications with others including high level of public relations and interacting with the media. The incumbent will often communicate very complex or sensitive information, direct the work of others, and frequently be required to persuade or instruct others.
• Ability to use the Microsoft Office suite of products such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint presentation program, as well as NRCS Conservation Desktop, ArcGIS, and WebSoil Survey software programs with working knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation to prepare detailed written reports and maintain accurate files and records.
• Ability to use laser level survey equipment and field global positioning system (GPS) units
Guidelines
Guidelines consist of United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) Technical Guides, FOTG based on Farm Bill 2018, National, State, and Division office directives, bulletins, manuals, and handbooks, as well as trainings and workshops issued by NRCS and TDA.
Scope and Effect
· Develop comprehensive natural resource conservation plans and programming using site specific data to address soil, water, air, animal, plant, and human resource concerns, while assuring projects meet local, state, and federal regulations/requirements.
· Work with clients throughout all aspects of the conservation planning and implementation process by providing technical and financial assistance to individuals, groups, and units of government in the development, application, and maintenance of natural resource conservation plan measures, practices, and programs.
· Explain complex concepts pertaining to alternative conservation systems such as engineering practices, natural resource practices, agricultural practices, and ecological principles to a variety of clients (landowners/land managers), partners, staff, and the public.
· Work in partnership with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) District Conservationist and the Soil Conservationist to coordinate state, local, grant, and federal project funds to best meet the needs of the county, clients, and the community, assuring that guidelines are applicable to a county experiencing rapid urban development.
· Provide conservation practice design, layout, direction, oversight, and construction assurance to contractors, land managers, and others regarding the development, construction, and maintenance of engineering structures, ecological practices, and other conservation measures.
· Certify project practices meet Conservation Plan and NRCS standards and specifications in the field by measuring, surveying, and testing practices and implements a follow-up and maintenance programs on cooperators’ land to ensure that completed conservation systems are being maintained and documents, records and reports gathered information.
· Develop and plan information/education programs by developing materials and presenting at meetings of government, regional meetings, community group meetings, field days, and demonstrations to explain and promote the resource programs or specific phases of programs and the need of natural resource conservation.
· Apply for and administer grant funding from federal, state, and local sources including budgeting, record keeping, and developing required reports.
· Use GIS and Conservation Desktop software to manage data and create, design, and modify customized maps, including conservation plan maps, soils maps, topo maps, design maps, and Asbuilt maps for clients, staff, and public use.
· Develop professional relationships with Jefferson County agricultural producers, producers’ groups, non-profits, units of government and other stakeholders.
· Ensure regular, punctual attendance for self and all duties and rules set forth in the Jefferson County Employee Handbook
· Respond to and report immediately if called upon by local, regional, or central office supervisors, as part of a coordinated emergency response by the Jefferson County Mayor’s Office
· Perform other duties as required.
1. Physical Demands
· The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion related to seasonal outdoor activities: lifting, climbing, walking on rough terrain, etc.
· Must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) that may consist of eye protection, ear protection, hard hats, gloves, etc. when visiting construction sites. Exposure to heavy equipment at job sites and walking a construction site consisting of uneven terrain.
· Regular and recurring exposure to agriculture and industrial chemicals, adverse weather conditions such as snow, ice, rain, and sun
· Exposure to biting and stinging insects
· Working around livestock and other farm hazards and traversing uneven ground/steep slopes
· Duties performed in a standard office environment, including sitting for long periods.