District Technician

COMPANY OVERVIEW

The Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District’s (SWCD) mission is to promote healthy lands and clean water through voluntary conservation efforts. As a local government entity, our vision is to cultivate a vibrant community with clean water and productive lands in the Brainerd Lakes Area.

Join a team passionate about making a difference and helping people make conservation improvements on their land. We offer excellent benefits, including 13 paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, health and dental insurance, various retirement plan options, flexible work schedules, remote work, an employee assistance program for work-life support, a supportive team culture, and numerous leadership development, training, networking opportunities, and career advancement opportunities through a tiered payscale. Starting salary may vary depending on experience, knowledge, and skills. Review the SWCD Benefits at: https://www.cwswcd.org/_files/ugd/5f8bab_a827cae8e1154ad78be208de5be5c080.pdf.  

JOB SUMMARY

The District Technician coordinates agricultural programs with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), and area nonprofits. To do this, the Technician works with individual private landowners, groups of landowners, nonprofits, and associations to recommend how people can manage their agricultural land for improved soil health and water quality benefits.

The Technician develops soil health and shoreline programming; Complete site visits to the property to inventory and assess land conditions; Prepare specific mailings and information for landowners about the grant fund availability and agricultural and shoreline practices; Document the number of landowners contacted, site visits, planned acres, and planned best management practices standards; Complete best management practices based on NCRS practice standards. Develop a soil health program for the SWCD.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate agricultural programs and partnerships for soil health practices.
  • Visit landowners’ properties to assess properties for soil health practices.
  • Advise landowners on financial and technical support options. Work with producers to develop conservation plans to meet NRCS standards.
• Coordinate and assist with the Crow Wing River Watershed-Based Implementations Plans.
  • Complete shoreline site visits and make recommendations on shoreline best management practices.
  • Track the SWCD Grant and program expenses by grant category.
  • Work completed by overall watershed goals.
  • Expenses toward match requirements.

• Administer the SWCD Cost-share projects and communicate with individual landowners on projects.
• Oversee and manage the native seed drill.
• Complete grant reporting, annual reporting, and other administrative tasks.

See full job description at: https://www.cwswcd.org/employment

Required Qualifications Continued:

• Two or more years of professional experience related to natural resources.
• Experience with GPS, GIS, and other data collection tools.
• Knowledge of forbs, grasses, and trees for identification.
• Computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Possess a valid MN driver’s license and a good driving record.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to communicate and build relationships effectively with diverse individuals.
• Able to effectively conduct presentations to the public, including large and small groups, conservation groups, schools, and churches.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Able to plan, prioritize, coordinate, and manage work in an organized manner.
• Applicants must be able to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.
• A passion for agricultural conservation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Adobe Acrobat Reader and Canva software.
• Advanced understanding of plant communities, prairies, shoreline land practices, adaptive grazing management, cover crops, and soil health principles.
• Bachelor’s degree in natural resources management, wildlife, or soils.
• Four or more years of experience in related natural resources professional expertise.

The Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation (SWCD) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All SWCD’s programs and services are available without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, gender, religion, disability, age, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, familial status, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other protected classes.