Natural Resource Technician

Foster Creek Conservation District is seeking a highly self-motivated and skilled individual to join the District as a Resource Technician. This is a full-time position, key to many of Foster Creek’s natural resource programs responsible for implementing technical assistance on projects, cost share activities, and providing public outreach. Our programs are focused on implementing highly impactful projects with private landowners where coordination with state and federal partners can help achieve large landscape scale improvements to natural resources.

Foster Creek has built many successful programs around our ecosystem, communities, and their needs. With steady growth over the last couple of years our entity has doubled in size, increased our educational reach, and
helped provide technical assistance on thousands of acres across many different projects. Foster Creek CD is in Douglas County, Washington with a physical office space located in the town of Waterville, serving the northern half of Douglas County. This position is funded through grants from several state and federal grant programs and relies on successful future grant applications to continue its funding. This position reports directly to Foster Creek CD’s District Manager and is eligible for partial remote work opportunities.

Service Area
Douglas County is where the unique Washington Shrub Steppe meets the Columbia River, the Cascade mountains, and is all connect by rolling wheat fields and other agricultural production. This geologically rich environment has a unique history of formation creating much of the beauty and grandeur that also lends to an area rich with ecological
features and natural resources. Nestled in the middle of the state the area is close to any recreational adventure you seek. The small, hometown vibes with endless exploration makes Douglas County a unique adventure with a rural flare.

TYPICAL WORK
Typical duties of the Natural Resource Technician will be assisting in restoration projects involving Low-Tech Process-Based restoration, riparian planting, invasive species control through herbicide application, monitoring water quality, survey and analysis of other conservation practices within the rangelands and agricultural systems. Work to assist in the implementation of several types of conservation projects, coordinating with other Foster Creek CD staff, partners, and volunteers. Along with other projects as assigned.

You will work to build relationships with community members and landowners to help carry out the mission and goals of Foster Creek CD and various projects, ensuring to provide the best quality technical assistance. This position will require adaptability, creativity, dedication, and passion for conservation, natural resource, and working with members of the public.

ABOUT US
Serving the community now and into the future through quality technical assistance for natural resource stewardship through:

• Encouraging good land stewardship through education, incentives, and quality technical assistance.
• Enhancing regenerative, profitable agriculture and protecting individual private property rights.
• Leading strong coalitions through partnerships and community engagement as a valid partner to agriculture and conservation.
  We consist of a small team dedicated to do what they can to enhance and protect the natural resources of Douglas County. Foster Creek is a non-regulatory political sub-division of Washington State and is governed by a 5-member volunteer Board of Supervisors.

Major Responsibilities:

• Provide objective technical assistance, program guidance and coordination to help resolve natural resource management issues.
• Be responsible for all assigned grant related tasks required to fulfill the District’s Annual and Long-Range Plans.
• Represent and promote the District’s mission and policies in all work-related public activities, meetings, hearings and encounters with the press. 
• Serve in a technical support role for Foster Creek CD projects.

Typical Duties:

• Assistance in implementing several Foster Creek CD programs including; Water quality monitoring, restoration work and monitoring, habitat survey and monitoring, and agricultural survey and monitoring.
• Provide technical assistance to partners and landowners and develop conservation plans using approved NRCS standards and specifications when applicable.
• Coordinate multi-agency/stakeholder committee meetings related to ongoing and future efforts to implement actions identified in resource plans and assist partner groups with implementation and monitoring.
• Work with various organizations to collaborate on projects, coordinate landowner relations, and provide technical assistance.
• Work with landowners and public agencies to complete cost-share conservation projects, including executing contracts and landowner agreements.
• Report on findings and use data to alter practices where necessary.
• Pursue and assist in writing grants to obtain funds necessary to carry out the District’s Annual and Long-Range Plans.
• Coordinate the tracking and accounting of in-kind contributions toward various grants and carry out necessary grant administration and reporting.
• Inform and educate the public about resource issues and solutions by hosting and participating in events, developing educational materials, serving as media contact and other appropriate methods.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

A qualified candidate must have:

• Bachelor’s degree, or higher, in natural resource management, environmental or agricultural sciences, or related fields. 
• At least three years of related professional level experience.        
• Very strong organizational skills, the ability to stay focused, and meet program benchmarks with little supervision.       
• Demonstrated ability in coordinating, conducting, and facilitating public meetings. Experience working directly with rural landowners, including assessing, planning, monitoring and reporting on implementation of BMPs        
• High level of literacy in MS Office applications.         
• Experience developing, writing, and administering applications and projects funded by grants. ·        
• Must be able to work in remote and rugged locations under a variety of weather conditions, traverse difficult upland and instream terrain, and carry field equipment necessary to complete required job tasks. ·        
• Adaptable and willing to take on other job assignments. ·        
• Willingness to receive additional training to enhance knowledge and skills. ·        
• Must have, or be able to obtain, and maintain a valid Washington State driver’s license.

Desired Attributes

A well-qualified candidate will have some or all the following qualifications:

• Knowledge of Eastern Washington flora, fauna, ecology, and pacific northwest agricultural practices
• Experience working with various GIS programs
• Knowledge of NRCS conservation practices and programs
• Work experience within a conservation district Knowledge/experience working within grant deliverables and budgets.
• Familiarity working with government funded grant programs and working within a budget

Ability to plan and facilitate meetings that adhere to the open public meeting act guidelines

Salary and schedule:
This position is a full-time, non-exempt position with compensation starting at $22 per hour to $25 per hour based on experience and/or qualifications. Benefits include access to state insurance with company paid contributions, accrued paid sick leave, annual leave, 11 paid public holidays, 1 floating holiday, full coverage for L&I employee tax, and retirement contributions of 5% gross monthly wages after one year of service. Terms of compensation and benefits are set by position appointment letter and may be amended at any time by the Board of Supervisors. Position may require some work on Saturdays or after regularly scheduled work hours.