Conservation Specialist

CONSERVATION SPECIALIST

SUMMARY:

The purpose of the Conservation Specialist is to coordinate the invasive species program, direct educational programs for all ages on soil and water conservation issues, and other duties as assigned to accomplish the goals of the Iron County Land and Water Resource Management Plan.  All duties and responsibilities of the position are performed under the subject to the review and guidance of the County Conservationist and the Land and Water Conservation Committee

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Demonstrated knowledge of water resources, soils, botany, and lake-related issues.
• Knowledge of State/Federal Laws of shoreland development, aquatic plants, and invasive species.
• Experience in using a GPS unit and GIS software to create maps.
• Ability to self-start and to work independently without close supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate/coordinate projects with multiple partners.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and written, with diverse audiences.
• Willingness to travel throughout the county and state.
• Willingness to facilitate evening and weekend events, meetings, and workshops.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Science, or a related field and at least 3 years of work experience in a water conservation related field required.
• Experience working with groups such as lake associations preferred.
• Knowledge of plant identification, both terrestrial and aquatic preferred.
• Experience in data collection, survey methods, and data management preferred.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily and in a timely manner. The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required or assigned.

• Develop and coordinate education programs for local town and county boards, citizens, students, conservation camp attendees, and others including but not limited to presentations, workshops, training, and school programs.
• Provides educational and technical assistance to all age groups on a wide variety of lake regulations and safety, chemical and bacterial monitoring of surface waters, native aquatic flora and fauna, shoreline habitat, water quality monitoring, and other lake stewardship practices.
• Serve as coordinator for clean boats, clean waters, and citizen lake monitoring workshops, deliver training materials, manage data in state-wide database (SWIMS), manage a list of involved lakes, and promote new efforts.
• Carry out media work such as interviews, articles, press releases, service statements, etc.
• Collaborate with lake associations and offer support on conservation projects.
• Coordinate ongoing network of invasive partners within the county. Media included: Facebook page, mailings, electronic mailing list, events, etc.
• Assist and serve as liaison between DNR staff and local groups in project development and implementation.
• Participate in state-wide network of county AIS coordinators, including semi-annual meetings and other trainings and forums.
• Train, supervise, and coordinate limited-term employee duties during field season.
• Identify, confirm, and coordinate rapid response efforts for new AIS populations to DNR.
• Assist lake groups with aquatic plant management.
• Develop county-wide maps for soil and water resource concerns.
• Develop and implement a county-wide project for purple loosestrife bio-control, working with multiple agencies and partners.
• Coordinate with citizens, county departments, and user groups to coordinate plans and activities for the prevention and control of terrestrial/aquatic invasive species.
• Coordinate conservation education programs such as Youth Conservation Camp, Iron County Woods and Waters Project, Conservation poster and speaking contest, etc.
• Maintain boat, motor, trailer, and field equipment for department.
• Ability to work with the public, communicating extensively both in the office and in the field, through oral and written communication in person and via phone and email.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Pesticide Application Training certification preferred.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise and coordinate LTE staff under the guidance of the County Conservationist.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Extended periods of sitting and/or standing.
• Extended periods of viewing a computer monitor.
• Requires physical demands such as seeing, hearing, and color perception to make judgments both in the office and out in the field.
• Ability to navigate uneven terrain in the field.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Ability to work in inclement weather.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

This position requires both office and fieldwork.  The position is housed in the Iron County Forestry and Highway Building.  Noise levels in the work environment will range from quiet to loud.  There may be some flexibility to work remotely with permission from the County Conservationist.  Flexibility and adaptiveness to changing work schedule/work duties are required.

Iron County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the American Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.