Conservation Technician/Conservation Engineer

Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION TECHNICIAN

Position Title:  Conservation Technician

Number of Positions Available:  1

Salary Range:  $40,000 to $45,000/year

Location:  Clarion, Pennsylvania

Duties:

As the Conservation Technician for the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) in the North West and South West Region, the incumbent will provide technical assistance to the Growing Greener program and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).

This position will: Provide technical assistance to area partnership Growing Greener personnel and the NRCS in the planning, design, and construction of engineering practices; Prepare designs of agricultural conservation practices and water quality best management practices (BMPs), which are site-specific and require coordination among various groups and individuals; and Provide engineering assistance in conducting preliminary investigations.

This position works closely with conservation districts, representatives of the state government, various county officials, NRCS, watershed organizations, and landowners.

Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

A qualified candidate should have the following:

• Agricultural background or experience preferred.
• Ability and skills in survey, data collection, topographic map development, CADD and specification writing. Provide examples of your experience and equipment/software used in survey, CADD design.
• Ability to apply engineering principles and new technologies in order to design and provide construction quality assurance for BMPs in the Growing Greener program. Provide examples of design work completed, construction oversight, materials testing, etc.
• Strong communication skills to discuss and explain BMP practices with stakeholders/partners. Provide examples of communication education and experience, reports, cost estimates, etc.
• Candidate must possess a valid PA driver’s license. Travel is required to counties in the position’s region.

Education

College or technical training preferred. Applicant must, at a minimum, have successfully completed high school. 

Work Schedule:

This is an at-will, full-time, temporary year-by-year, grant funded position.  However, the program has been in existence for 22 years. 

Conditions of Employment:

Work is performed indoors and outdoors, often under adverse weather conditions.
Travel is required throughout the region.

Benefits:

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage, 401k retirement plan, 14 paid holidays, and accrued PTO leave.

No relocation expenses will be provided.

How to Apply:

Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to the PACD:

Please apply by e-mail with a subject heading “Agricultural Conservation Technician Clarion” to: jobs@pacd.org by 4:00 p.m. EST on December 17, 2024.

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Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

CONSERVATION ENGINEER

Position Title:  Conservation Engineer

Number of Positions Available:  1

Salary Range: Commensurate with experience

Location:  Clarion, Pennsylvania

Duties:

As the Conservation Engineer for the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) in the North West Region, the incumbent will provide engineering assistance to the Growing Greener program and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). 

As a key member of the organization, this position will work with conservation districts, representatives of the state government, various county officials, NRCS, watershed organizations, and landowners.

From field survey data and other field information, this position will design and prepare engineering plans and specifications for engineering projects or structures, including the drawings, specifications, bills of materials, and cost estimates.

In addition, the Conservation Engineer will review engineering structure design plans and specifications submitted from the field offices and engineering technicians for adherence to design criteria and applicable technical standards.

Qualifications:

Education

Candidates are required to show successful completion of a standard professional curriculum in an accredited college or university leading to bachelor’s degree with major study in an appropriate field of engineering (not engineering technology), physical science, life science or mathematics. 

Engineering Credentials

Candidates are required to show evidence of passing the Fundamentals of Engineering requirements or licensed as a Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

A qualified candidate should have the following:

• Knowledge of engineering principles related to topographic surveys, soils, hydrology, hydraulics, concrete, and soil construction.  Explain education and experience in these subjects: stream restoration, and agricultural waste management.

• Ability and skills in survey, data collection, topographic map development, CADD and specification writing. Provide examples of your experience and equipment/software used in survey, CADD design.

• Ability to use computers for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and computer-aided design and drafting.  Provide examples of software programs used and their application to produce products.

• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing to a variety of individuals and groups (co-workers, landowners, other government agencies).  Provide examples of communication education and experience, reports, cost estimates, etc.

• Agricultural background or experience preferred.

• Ability to apply engineering principles and new technologies in order to design and provide construction quality assurance for BMPs in the Growing Greener program. Some construction inspection will be required for this position.

• Provide examples of design work completed, construction oversight, materials testing, etc.

• Candidate must possess a valid PA driver’s license.

Work Schedule:

This is an at-will, full-time, temporary year-by-year, grant funded position.  However, the program has been in existence for 22 years. 

Conditions of Employment:

Work is performed indoors and outdoors, often under adverse weather conditions. The Conservation Engineer is required to drive a personal vehicle (mileage will be reimbursed). A reliable form of transportation is a must.

Salary/Benefits:

Salary commensurate with experience. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage, 401k retirement plan, 14 paid holidays, and accrued PTO leave. No relocation expenses will be provided.

How to Apply:

Candidates must submit a resume, evidence of passing the Fundamentals of Engineering requirements or licensed as a Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania, and a cover letter to PACD. 

Please apply by e-mail with subject heading “Conservation Engineer Clarion” to:

jobs@pacd.org by 4:00 p.m. EST on December 17, 2024.