Klamath Basin Grazing Lands Conservation Specialist

Read the full job description here.

Overview

The IWJV, in partnership with Oregon NRCS, is advertising a new conservation planner and project manager position to support the NRCS Klamath Falls field office and local partners with private land conservation programs. This position will work with ranchers and farmers in the Upper Klamath Basin and provide technical assistance for project implementation. Projects will complement restoration goals and plans in the Sprague and Wood Rivers, and other sub-basins. Project funds will originate from NRCS Farm Bill conservation programs, and other grant sources. A focus of this position will be planning and implementing livestock fences, livestock water systems, grazing plans, riparian enhancements, and other ranch and habitat conservation improvements.

Duties

• Work with agricultural producers to develop and implement ranch and habitat conservation projects.
• Provide technical assistance (conservation planning, pasture and range management, wildlife biology, riparian management, or other natural resource disciplines) and guidance to landowners, government agencies, non-government organizations, and others. NRCS, IWJV, and other partners will provide training.
• Coordinate the integration and application of biological sciences and production agriculture within the conservation programs in cooperation with the NRCS Field Office and in accordance with the NRCS Field Office Technical Guides.
• Complete conservation plans and maps, contracts, applications, and other required documentation for implementing Farm Bill conservation programs ((i.e., Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Regional Conservation Partners Program (RCPP).
• Communicate program requirements, complete site visits to determine eligibility, and develop contracts/plans for applicants enrolling in USDA conservation programs or other state and local conservation programs to manage, restore, enhance, and protect riparian areas and wetlands while mutually benefitting livestock forage production.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including promotion, marketing and outreach activities related to USDA, NAWCA, and OWEB projects.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively with private landowners, government agency personnel, and conservation partner organizations.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Ability to work cooperatively with diverse clientele.
• Knowledge of ranch management and riparian ecology. Experience with range/pasture grazing management and monitoring is required.
• Ability to obtain USDA Security Clearance and NRCS Conservation Planning certification.
• Excellent verbal/written communication and organizational skills.
• Valid driver’s license.
• A general qualification guideline for this position is a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Planning, Rangeland Science, Wildlife Biology/Management, or Agriculture Technology, emphasizing grazing systems and course work and/or experience in working lands management systems. Funding partners may substitute education for work experience in livestock production.
• Computer skills are required, and an applicant should be familiar with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to use, or willing to learn, NRCS Conservation Desktop, NRCS Conservation Assessment and Ranking Tool, GIS applications, and GPS systems would be beneficial.
• Physical ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time over rough terrain; lift and move material weighing up to 50 pounds; work in all types of weather conditions.