The District Conservation Technician (DCT) is a full-time grant funded position. This person will provide assistance in conservation planning, working with landowners, groups, and units of government to apply and maintain a variety of conservation practices with an emphasis on water management. This person will also assist the Conservation Districts and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in facilitating the development and implementation of resource management system plans by facilitating communications, coordination, and providing technical assistance.

Contact: See http://www.whiterivercd.com for job description and more information. Contact Exec. Director, Callie Hendrickson, at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Submit Resume to callie.districts@gmail.com. Position will be open until filled.

Duties:

• Development of Irrigation Water Management plans that utilize current and planned water delivery infrastructure.
• Assist with the operation and installation of head gates and water measuring devices
• Coordinate irrigation system plan improvements with NRCS cost-share programs
• Development of Coordinated Resource Management Plans between private and government entities for the purpose of addressing resource concerns and meeting landowner/managers goals.
• Assist in field investigations to determine the problems landowners face and collects the data needed for field offices to develop logical solutions.
• Assist the local conservation districts with completing their long-range plan of work.
• Assist the local NRCS District Conservationist on activities in support of the NRCS mission related to implementing and promoting Farm Bill programs.
• Attend Monthly District Board meetings and other meetings as requested (some evening meetings).
• Assists in collecting data for field offices to develop structural solutions.
• Assists in checking completed practices to determine if goals were met.
• Assists in survey and design activities for the implementation of irrigation practices.
• Develop and coordinate outreach events through oral speeches, publications in the local newspaper, and/or flyers.
• Develops long-term conservation plans to address all identified resource concerns on land uses such as native rangeland, introduced pasture, and/or cropland with a focus on irrigation pasture/cropland
• Write and present technical information for education and other purposes that are published in local newspaper and/or internet.
• Prepare and maintain files, correspondence, and some administrative duties necessary to carry out conservation technician responsibilities in a professional and timely fashion.
• Drive NRCS vehicle for the performance of necessary job duties.

Competencies:

• Clean Colorado Driver’s license
• At least two years’ experience in agriculture and / or natural resource conservation
• Demonstrate good oral and written communication skills – preferably within rural communities and government agencies
• Demonstrate experience or interest in private land conservation issues and technical requirements
• Ability to operate a variety of software programs necessary to complete work assignments.
• Demonstrate ability to maintain confidentiality of cooperator business and records

Preferred Experience:

• Coordination of various partners to develop and implement a natural resource planning document.
• Installation and implementation of on-farm irrigation practices including furrow, gated pipe, big guns, side rolls, and center pivots.
• Installation and operation of irrigation water management including water control structures and water measuring devices.
• Implementation of on-farm nutrient management practices

Required Education:

• Minimum – two years’ experience in natural resource and/or agriculture practices. Familiarity with agriculture practices in Rio Blanco County such as hay production, irrigation management, nutrient management and livestock production (sheep or cow/calf).
• Preferred – Successful completion of 1 year of study including at least 12 semester hours in courses such as range management or conservation, agriculture, forestry, wildlife management, engineering, biology, mathematics or other natural or physical sciences along with 1 years’ experience in one of the aforementioned fields of study.

• Holidays – Paid federal holidays recognized by the Natural Resources Conservation Service as paid holidays.
• Annual Leave – All full-time employees shall earn annual leave at the rate of one-half day (4 hours) per pay period. Annual leave is earned from the first day of employment and may be used beginning six months after the first day of employment.
• Sick leave – All full-time employees shall accrue sick leave at a rate of 3 hours per pay period beginning with the first day of employment. Sick leave may be used beginning one month after the first day of employment.
• Other benefits – Workers’ Compensation, Unemployment and General Liability insurance will be provided by the District.