Conservation Director

Status: Full-time, exempt

Work schedule: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. M-F

POSITION SUMMARY
The incumbent provides managerial, supervisory, and technical support to the Montgomery County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors in carrying out the District’s program in conformance with the purpose of the District as defined in the Indiana District Law (IC 14-32). This professional position requires skills and experience
in program development, administration, communications, and financial management. The position will require the supervision of other District employees. The incumbent must possess technical knowledge and/or work experience in agriculture, urban, and natural resources management.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Program development, management, and administration

• Understand the purpose, powers, programs, and responsibilities of the District
• Supervise, train, and lead District staff.
  • • Assign staff to assist with the administration of programs and ensure that the organization meets its contractual obligations.
    • Perform annual employee performance evaluations, and prepare and update job descriptions.
    • Recommend needed training, disciplinary action, and recognition of employee efforts.
    • Work with Supervisors to handle questions and concerns in a timely manner
• Seeks information and keeps Supervisors informed about local, state, and federal regulations, laws, programs, and/or activities that may impact the District.
• Assists the Program Coordinator as needed in coordinating District programs with the programs and activities of personnel NRCS, ISDA, IDNR, Purdue Extension, FSA, and other agencies involved in the conservation of soil, water, and other natural resources.
• Serve as day-to-day manager/administrator for all grants received. Identify and secure grant funds for District projects and programs.
• Develop relationships with public and private partners whose goals overlap with those of the District and who can help the District meet its goals.
• Serve as District liaison to cooperating agencies, County officials, municipal officials, legislators, and the general public. Assists the District chairperson in planning and conducting monthly board meetings.
• Assists the Supervisors in planning and conducting the District’s Annual Meeting.
• Assists the Supervisors in developing their 3-5 year business plan, an annual plan of action, and publishing a report on the District’s mission, priority resource concerns, goals, planned actions, and accomplishments.
• Assists District Supervisors in developing closer working relationships with local units of government as well as local, state, and federal elected officials.
• Assures that all funds are received and disbursed according to guidelines in the District Operations Manual and as per instructions from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the Indiana State Board of Accounts.
• Assures that a monthly written financial report is prepared for the District Supervisors to review and approve. The report includes beginning and ending balances of all accounts, all receipts and disbursements, claims for approval, and the status of all investments.
• Respond to telephone calls and walk-in requests for assistance and/or direct the requests to the appropriate SWCD, NRCS, ISDA, or other agency personnel for assistance.
• Inventory soil and water resource concerns in Montgomery County by means of surveys, questionnaires, personal contacts, and reconnaissance. Establish criteria for prioritization that results in the most significant amount of conservation practices being implemented.
• Assures the inventory of office supplies and publications is sufficient to allow operations to continue efficiently and cost-effectively.
• Performs other duties as requested by the District Supervisors.

Technical/Education

• Provides leadership in planning and implementing the District’s information and education program.
• Informs land users about programs available to provide technical and financial assistance for applying conservation practices on their land.
• Assists the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), and other Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) personnel in survey, design, and planning of conservation practices.
• Provides soil, water, and other natural resource information, educational resources, programs, and training to any agency or individual that requests information.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree in agriculture, natural resources, or related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize variable workload.
• Ability to work with persons from many other organizations, agencies, and groups in a professional manner to project a favorable image of the District.
• Ability to use a computer for word processing, data, and financial management.
• Ability to provide public access to or maintain the confidentiality of department information and records according to state requirements.
• Normal work hours will be 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  Occasional attendance at night meetings or weekend activities will be necessary.
  The Supervisors oversee compensatory time as needed in accordance with county guidelines and policies.
• Travel outside the office and the county on behalf of the District will be necessary and reimbursed in accordance with county employee policies.
• A valid Indiana driver’s license is required
• Must submit and pass a Federal Background check

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Ability to develop promotional materials, including but not limited to, flyers, brochures, websites, and social media.
• Experience with public speaking.
• Experience with the Microsoft suite of applications, Zoom, and Quickbooks.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIPS

• This position is under the direct supervision of the Montgomery County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors. Performance appraisal of this employee and decisions regarding salary and other compensation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment is the responsibility of the Montgomery County Soil
  and Water Conservation District Supervisors.
• The Supervisors will determine the incumbent’s work schedule. Paid holidays, vacation leave, sick leave, leaves of absence, and employee conduct will follow the Montgomery County Employee Handbook.
• The incumbent is considered an employee of the county and is entitled to the same benefits and considerations as other county employees.

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 in extremely hot or cold temperatures, working near dust, and dirt, walking on uneven terrain, working in wet and icy surroundings, bending at the waist, depth and color perception,
far vision, handling and grasping objects, reaching, lifting, crouching and kneeling, hearing sounds and communication, and carrying objects. The incumbent will also drive a pickup truck and occasionally may pull an enclosed trailer. The incumbent will also operate an all-terrain vehicle (ATV).

The incumbent will perform most of the duties in a standard office environment, including sitting/standing/walking for long periods, and lifting/carrying objects weighing less than 50 pounds.