Agriculture Lead

Position Announcement: March 30, 2026
Closing: Open until filled, first review April 17, 2026, 5:00 PM
Interviews: April 30, 2026

Location: Office located in Okanogan, Washington, with travel throughout Okanogan County.
Wages: Starting annual salary at $80,820 (Range 66, Step A) DOE with opportunity for merit and COLA increases.
Benefits: Medical, dental and vision insurance, Washington State Retirement (PERS), life insurance, long-term disability, vacation leave, sick leave and 12 paid holidays per year. 

About Us
The Okanogan Conservation District (CD) is a dynamic organization comprised of volunteer board members and paid staff that are leaders in “on-the-ground conservation”. The district’s mission is to help cooperating land managers in Okanogan County achieve their conservation goals by:

• Working cooperatively with private landowners and stakeholders to encourage wise stewardship and land-management decisions.
• Providing locally led, voluntary, non-regulatory solutions to local environmental problems.
• Advocating for high-priority resource concerns facing Okanogan County.
• Educating adults and youth on environmental and natural resources issues in our community.

Okanogan CD is a small team of dedicated staff focused on delivering priority natural resource conservation programs, providing technical assistance, and cost-share opportunities that serve the community and natural resources in Okanogan County. Okanogan CD values teamwork locally led natural resource management, creative solutions, and voluntary conservation. Okanogan CD encourages a positive work/life balance and flexible schedules. 

Description

Okanogan CD is seeking a highly goal-oriented, organized, and skilled individual to join the district as an Agriculture Lead. This position is responsible for implementing agricultural conservation projects throughout Okanogan County.

Current priority projects include:

• Implement custom natural resource conservation plans in collaboration with agricultural cooperators primarily in the shrub-steppe environment.
• Write and implement the Okanogan County Drought Preparedness Plan and support collaborative efforts for drought mitigation.
• Manage water bank operations.
• Develop project plans, delegate tasks, and oversee team workflows to ensure timely completion
  of deliverables.

Typical Work
The Agriculture Lead oversees the water resources, agriculture, and range program areas at the district. Duties include the coordination of agriculture programs to improve land and water management and promote long-term resource sustainability. This role manages water bank operations and supports water availability planning, including drought mitigation efforts, while ensuring compliance with water rights requirements. Serving as a subject matter expert, the Agriculture Lead advises and supports landowners in implementing best management practices to enhance land and water use. The lead works collaboratively with district staff and funding agencies to provide technical assistance and guidance to landowners, stakeholders, and partners on agricultural and rangeland grazing conservation practices. This position also provides project-based support and collaborates with other district employees.

Additionally, the Agriculture Lead directly supervises the Water Resources Planner, Agriculture Planner, and Range Planner, mentoring and supporting their development while delegating tasks effectively.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Water Resource Management, Range Management, Hydrology, Soil Science, Natural Resources, or a related discipline with at least 2 years of experience managing programs. Combinations of applicable education and experience may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.
• Knowledge of agricultural practices and range health principles, irrigation scheduling, soil-water conservation principles, Washington State water law, and best practices for land and water resource management.
• Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder group meetings and collaborative problem-solving
  processes.
• Ability to assess rangeland, irrigation, and water availability conditions, including soil tests,
  irrigation application, seeding, and crop health.
• Proven leadership experience, including supervising and mentoring team members.
• Strong program and project management skills, including the ability to coordinate multiple projects and budgets.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills for engaging with community members, agency partners, and colleagues.
• Proficiency with GIS tools, such as ArcGIS, to develop maps and conservation plans.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, cloud-based collaboration and project management tools, and database systems.
• Valid Level 3 (or higher) Conservation Planning certification from the USDA NRCS (or ability to obtain via district arranged training).
• Ability to work closely, cooperatively, and in a non-confrontational manner with others in a public
  office environment.
• Have or obtain and maintain a valid Washington State Driver’s License and able to safely operate a motor vehicle

Ideal Knowledge and Skills

• Master’s degree in Water Resources Management, Range Management, Hydrology,mEnvironmental Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Soil Science, or a related discipline.
• Advanced knowledge of natural resource management and conservation strategies.
• Understanding of Okanogan County’s ecosystems and agricultural and land use practices.
• Advanced experience in GIS mapping and GPS data collection for conservation planning.
• Proficiency in grant writing, budgeting, and project management.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.

Compensation
The annual salary for this FLSA-Exempt position starts at $80,820 (Range 66, Step A), depending on education and/or experience. This position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Holiday, Vacation, Sick, and Overtime/Compensatory Leave
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability

Details regarding compensation and benefits are outlined in the appointment letter and are subject to district policies. Terms may be amended at any time by the Board of Supervisors.

Service Area
Okanogan County is for the adventurous! Our area is well-known for superb recreational opportunities and activities for every season, owing, in part, to an abundance of public land. Fishing, hunting, hiking, biking, skiing, snowmobiling, and horseback riding are just a few sports enjoyed by locals and visitors. Our scenic highways will take you from the snow-capped mountains of the North Cascades to the open spaces of river valleys along the Okanogan, Methow, Similkameen, and Columbia rivers. There is something for everyone in Okanogan County.

Residents of Okanogan County maintain an independent spirit and a sense of community pride. Our county was named one of the best counties in Washington state to raise a family in 2022 by Stacker.com. Top places to live, according to Stacker, include Okanogan, Omak, and Winthrop.

Exploring Okanogan’s history is a favorite past-time for many. The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation boundaries lie within Okanogan County and the area is rich with cultural significance for our first people. Early European settlers came to Okanogan during the 1800s to establish cattle and sheep ranching and to mine for gold. Several ghost towns and mining operations from the early days still stand. Today, Okanogan County’s economic base is largely agricultural, supported by apple, pear and stone fruit orchards. Cattle ranching remains the dominant livestock industry and family farms can be found throughout the county. Okanogan County’s people, places, history, and industry are among the most charming and unique in Washington state.