Conservation Specialist

This position is responsible for administration of the Wisconsin DNR Runoff Management Program and the Vernon County Manure Storage Ordinance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Administers Wisconsin DNR Runoff Management Program
• Develops a systematic and comprehensive implementation strategy and
incorporates it into the Land and Water Resource Management Plan.
• Develops interagency working agreements with partners to establish roles and
responsibilities that each partner will assume in implementing NR 151.
• Develops Information and Educational materials to inform landowners about
new state performance standards.
• Delivers information and education materials (via media, newsletters, public
information meetings, and one-on-one contacts).
• Compiles records and determines which landowners are currently already
meeting standards and prohibitions.
• Compiles list of parcels for which on-site evaluations will be conducted,
according to systematic methodology developed in county Land and Water
Resource Management plan.
• Contacts owners, schedules site evaluations, determines and documents the
extent of current compliance with each of the performance standards and
prohibitions.
• Where non-compliant, determines costs and eligibility for cost sharing and
develop contracts.
Prepares and issues NR 151 Status Reports to owners of the evaluated parcels,
identifying corrective measures options, rough cost estimates, and sources for
technical assistance and grant funding sources.
• Keeps and maintains evaluation and compliance information as public record.
• Develops and issues cost-share contract (including conservation practices to be
installed, estimated costs and project schedule and notification requirements
under NR151.09 (5-6).
• Issues notification, under state and/or local laws, to landowners unwilling to
comply with performance standards prohibitions.
• Technical Services and oversight –
o Provides conservation plan assistance.
o Reviews conservation plans prepared by other parties.
o Provides engineering design assistance.
o Reviews engineering designs provided by other parties.
o Provides construction oversight.
o Evaluates and certifies installation of conservation practices.
• Conducts compliance evaluations and issues letters of compliance after practices
are installed.
• Prepares and issues “Notice of NR151 Violation” letter, or other appropriate
notice per local ordinance.
• Schedules and participates in enforcement conferences.
• Conducts periodic evaluations to verify ongoing compliance, responds to public
complaints alleging non-compliance and ensures new owners are aware of
NR151 compliance information that may pertain to the property they have just
acquired.
• Annual Reporting:
o Maintains and conveys a record of annual site evaluations which shows their
location and compliance status.
o Reports estimated timeframe and staff resources needed to complete
remaining site evaluations in the County.
o Maintains a record of estimated costs of corrective measures for each parcel
that has been evaluated and for which corrective measures have been
estimated.
o Maintains and conveys a record showing parcels where public cost sharing
has been applied to implement standards and prohibitions, the amount and
source of those funds, and the landowner share.
o Maintains and conveys a record and location of parcels receiving
notifications and violation letters.
o Maintains and conveys a record of the annual cost of technical and
administrative assistance needed to administer agricultural performance
standards and prohibitions, as established in NR151.
Other reports as may be required in ATCP50.
o Compiles locally developed reports into regional and statewide NR 1551
Progress Reports.
Co-Administers the Manure Storage Ordinance
• Collects and records fees paid to the department as part of the Manure Storage
Ordinance.
• Performs topographic relief maps for landowners wanting manure storage.
• Reviews Nutrient Management plans as part of the requirements for
constructing manure storage.
• Coordinates with Area Soil Scientist to perform “on-site” soils investigations.
Technical Job Certification
• Maintains and works to receive “Conservation Job Approval” for the following
practices: waterways, grade stabilization, rock rip-rap, and critical area seedings.
• Develops skills to proficiently utilize the “Total Station Survey Instrument”.
• Develops skills to proficiently utilize AutoCAD for designing conservation
practices.
• Surveys, designs, bids-out, and oversees construction of erosion control and
animal waste projects.
• Survey Grade GPS
Technical Service Provider – Farm Bill
• Becomes certified to become a “Technical Service Provider” to implement
various Federal Programs (Conservation planning, installing conservation
practices).
• Develops reports to satisfy Natural Resources Conservation funding.

Education and Training Requirements
• Requires Bachelor’s degree in watershed management, civil or agricultural
engineering, soil and water conservation, soil sciences, natural resources, or a
related field and two years experiences; and/or a two-year degree from an
accredited vocational or technical school in a related field and three years’
experience. Employee must be in the process of becoming certified or have
already obtained certification of “Conservation Planning”, and Natural Resources
Conservation Service “Job Approval” for waterways, dams, rock rip-rap, and
critical area seedings. In evaluating candidates for this position, the County may
consider a combination of education, experience and training that provides the
necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation with adequate
auto insurance to meet minimum County requirements, or access to reliable
transportation for city and rural travel.

https://www.vernoncounty.org/departments/personnel/employment_opportunities.php

Deadline Note: