Conservation District Program Technician

~ The Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District is a county level, political sub-division which is dedicated to the management of natural resources. ~

Located in South Eastern New York State, Greene County is home to the Northern high peaks of the Catskill Mountains and is bordered on the East by the Hudson River.

The District has been in existence since 1961, and was initially formed to facilitate the implementation of a major federal flood control project in the Town of Windham. Since its inception, the District has developed a diverse conservation program in response to local needs, and which provides assistance to landowners, local municipalities as well as state and federal agencies. 

Position Overview

The Conservation District Program Technician works as a member of an interdisciplinary team responsible for the implementation and administration of the County Soil and Water Conservation District Program.

The primary responsibilities of this position involves performing surveys and studies dealing with soil and water conservation practices within the district, designing systems pertaining to land use, soil analysis, water management and sediment or erosion control to be used by municipalities, builders, developers, and private individuals. 

Duties increase in difficulty and responsibility as the incumbent’s professional development increases. The work is performed under the general supervision of the Executive Director.  Does related work as required.

Responsibilities (Illustrative Only)

• Meets with the general public and area stakeholders to analyze particular problems, liabilities, and/or issues related to soil and water resources;
• Provides technical assistance to landowners and government agencies including the evaluation, survey, design, cost estimates, layout implementation and construction inspection of soil and water conservation practices;
• Reviews conservation plans and offers advice on conservation practices to landowners, farm operators and organizations;
• Assists in the planning, surveying and designing of soil & water conservation projects, such as, ditch diversion, grassed waterways, barnyard waste runoff systems, subsurface drainage, etc.;
• Collects data for conservation practices, designs and cost estimates and prepare surveys, maps and specifications concerning potential conservation projects;
• Assists with established district programs such as tree and shrub sale, fish stocking and pond management;
• Assists in obtaining state and federal permits for intended or required work, generally for stream and wetlands work;
• Operates such tools and equipment as survey equipment, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Geographical Information Systems (GIS), tractor with attachments, chainsaws and desktop applications;
• Prepares a variety of records and reports related to the work;
• Reviews and summarizes existing watershed conditions in order to develop a comprehensive stream management program;
• Incorporates stream and ecological assessments GIS and GPS based information, and general water quality “Best Management Practices” (BMP) into the overall stream management;
• Uses surveying equipment for field collection of geomorphic stream data;
• Organizes and coverts field collected data into usable format and for archival and/or reporting;
• Writes and edits reports and assists in the preparation of presentations, permit applications, and grant proposals;
• Provides technical assistance to landowners and units of local government in planning, designing and maintaining BMPs on public and private lands; and
• Conducts a public information program including the preparation of workshops, announcements, brochures, maps, power-point slides and presentations, newsletter and articles, and press released related to stream management programs.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Good knowledge of materials and procedures used in the construction and maintenance of ponds, drainage systems, diversions, waterways and other soil and water conservation practices;
• Good knowledge of the design and installation of soil and water conservation practices;
• Working knowledge of engineering surveying;
• Ability to interpret maps, charts and grafts;
• Ability to establish good working relationships with others and represent the conservation program to interested parties;
• Ability to understand and carry out complex written and oral instructions;
• Ability to prepare records and reports; Manual dexterity; and
• Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered four year college or University with a Bachelor’s Degree in environmental planning, environmental science, civil engineering, environmental technology, geology, physical or natural science, agriculture or related field and one year of work experience in natural resources, land surveying, engineering, construction or environmental planning;

                                                             OR

• (A) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered two year college with an Associate Degree in environmental planning, environmental science, civil engineering, environmental technology, geology, physical or natural science, agriculture or related field and three years of experience in natural resources, land surveying, engineering, construction or environmental planning;

                                                             OR

• (B) Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and five years of experience in natural resources, land surveying, engineering, construction, or environmental planning;

                                                            OR

• An equivalent combination of training and experience as indicated in A, B, and C above.

Special Requirement: 

• Possession of a valid New York State driver’s license at the time of appointment.

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below to upload a cover letter and resume by Friday, October 27th, 2017.