District Manager

Job summary: This role involves supervision and oversight of all District programming and infrastructure; technical and programmatic outreach to farms, landowners, and municipalities in Lamoille County; and connecting the community with funding opportunities through agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation District (USDA-NRCS) programs, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (VT ANR), and other state, private and federal grants.

The Lamoille County Manager will manage both new and ongoing projects. Duties include staff oversight, board supervisor check-ins and guidance, project development, conservation implementation, public education, outreach and partner networking. This position will also provide many other training and educational opportunities following the guidance of the Lamoille and Winooski Tactical Basin Plan, other Vermont Natural Resources Conservation Districts (NRCDs), and NRCD’s non-profit mother agency Vermont Association of Conservation Districts (VACD). Lamoille County NRCD also has a Memorandum of Agreement with the NRCS which enables staff to use computers and office space within the Morristown USDA office. This agreement is honored by LCCD through the development of a conservation plan and publicly held Local Work Groups that helps the NRCS rank priorities for NRCS funding opportunities for local agricultural producers and landowners

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences or a related degree with at least 3 years of work experience within natural resources, environmental science, or land planning is preferred. Qualified applicants will have excellent communication, organization, administrative, and project management skills and proven success with grants administration and record keeping. A background check is required for use of federal computers and office space.

• Project management experience including developing budgets, deliverables, and work plans.
• Self-organization and goal setting detail-oriented in reporting and organization.
• Familiarity with agricultural systems and regulations.
• Knowledge of environmental conservation topics and natural resource concerns in Vermont.
• Computer literacy required including experience with MS Word, Excel, GIS and web-based programs.
• Strong interpersonal, written, verbal communication, and public speaking skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively with varied audiences, landowners, municipalities, peers, and staff from a variety of agencies.
• Knowledge of and/or experience mitigating water quality and non-point source pollution concerns and implementation of best management practices.
• Comfortable with physical and outdoor work in all types of weather

Duties and Performance Requirements:

• Writing grants to design and implement conservation projects including documentation and reporting according to funder requirements.
• Provide education and outreach; program development; and implementation of NRCS, state, and federal programs.
• Disseminate information on Best Management Practices (BMPs); Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs); and NRCD, state, and federal cost share and assistance programs.
• Development of outreach methods and materials i.e. workshops, field days; publications; newsletters; flyers to inform producers of BMPs; nutrient management strategies; forums for information exchange between producers, landowners, and municipalities.
• Collaborate with UVM Extension, NRCS, and VT ANR Staff.
• Collaborate with and facilitate among a wide variety of partners (local, state and federal) to accomplish projects and programs.
• Act as a liaison between the Lamoille County NRCD, its partners, and the public as an outreach and information source.
• Represent the Lamoille County NRCD at public functions, a responsibility shared among staff & Supervisors, including but not limited to local and regional planning commissions, town meetings, and other local civic activities as appropriate.
• Perform additional related responsibilities as need arises.