District Conservation Planner

Education Requirements: Associate degree or greater. Knowledge of natural resource management and conservation best management practices is preferred. A degree in agriculture, natural resources or a related field is desired but not mandatory depending on qualifications and prior experience.

Program Overview:
The DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is a local government unit established in 1947, serving DeKalb County, Illinois. Our vision is to conserve soil and water resources using evidence-based practices. We collaborate with local, state, and federal partners to promote conservation among all county residents.

Job Description:
The District Conservation Planner will plan and implement conservation and educational programs. They should be familiar with production agriculture, natural resource concerns in farming, and urban stormwater management. Required skills include general GIS knowledge, keen observation, strong analytical abilities, and excellent communication and writing proficiency. The candidate will be required to attain Level III Conservation Planner status through training provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The candidate can expect occasional outdoor field work, after-hours work related to board meetings, special events and training. The selected candidate must have a valid driver’s license and be required to get fingerprinted and complete a federal government background check.

Key duties include:

• Assist with conservation programs in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), USDA- Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and USDA- Farm Service Agency (FSA).
• Assist with the NRCS Contribution Agreement.
• Manage the Partners for Conservation Program (PFC) and the Streambank Stabilization Restoration Program (SSRP) through the IDOA.
• Provide support for additional conservation programs through the IDOA.
• Provide the County and Municipalities with natural resource information pertaining to zoning, land use conversion and proposed land uses.
• Help with Natural Resource Protection in Urban and Rural Areas.
• District Sales Programs (Fish Sale, Rain Barrel Sale etc.)
• Maintain the DeKalb County SWCD website and Social Media Presence.
• District Educational and Outreach Programs.
• Provide a commitment to building a better community and environment.

Job Offering Timeline: Closes May 11, 2025
Estimated start time: Early to mid-June