District Manager

~ White River Natural Resources Conservation District (WR NRCD), established in 1940, provides conservation assistance to the people living in the area through education programs, technical assistance, and partnerships with federal, state, and local watershed groups. ~

WR NRCD works with landowners, farmers, foresters, schools, municipalities, and local watershed groups to encourage, enhance, and continue natural resource conservation in the White River Watershed and Basin 14. The White River Conservation District is one of 14 districts in Vermont. Each district is governed by a board of supervisors who are local landowners in the district. We receive a limited amount of baseline funding from Vermont Agency of Agriculture and primarily implement our programs through grants. We rely on proceeds from our annual tree sale, as well as donations, to meet our mission.

Position Overview

The White River Natural Resources Conservation District (White River NRCD) seeks to fill a full time District Manager position in east central/southeast Vermont. The District Manager of the White River NRCD will work on a diverse range of projects in various indoor and outdoor environments related to improving water quality, soil health, and environmental stewardship in agriculture, forestry, watershed restoration, urban conservation, and education programming.

Our current programs include: providing technical assistance to farmers in preparation of writing a Nutrient Management Plan, providing outreach and technical assistance to farmers regarding the Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs) and Best Management Practices (BMPs), coordinating the district’s No Till Drill Rental Program, facilitating riparian restoration programs, conducting water quality monitoring, and several others. Working with the White River NRCD is a unique opportunity to make positive impacts with local communities for conservation of Vermont’s working lands, forests, lakes, ponds, and rivers.

Qualified applicants will be highly motivated, self-starters, able to work independently, collaborate with partners, work in indoor and outdoor environments, have excellent communication, organization, administrative, and project management skills. Experience with agriculture, grant writing, and financial record keeping is preferred.

Responsibilities

• The District Manager works for the Board of Supervisors, comprised of 5 White River District landowners.
• With the board, the District Manager will work to plan, manage, report, and promote conservation activities throughout the district.
• The District Manager oversees the budget and programming for the year by identifying resource concerns, landowner needs, and supporting conservation efforts through grant applications.
• Currently, the White River District is a primarily agricultural district with multiple grant projects to help farmers improve soil health and water quality on their farms through education, innovative practices, and technical assistance.
• Programming with forestry, watershed stewardship, and urban conservation exist and have opportunity for growth.

Qualifications

• The candidate will have a background in natural resource management, environmental sciences, agriculture, engineering or other related field (degree and/ or experience).
• Candidate must be able to receive a security clearance to work on the USDA NRCS computer system and have access to Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

Skills:

• Background in natural resource management, environmental sciences, agriculture, engineering or other related field (Bachelor’s degree and/ or experience).
• Working knowledge of current state legislation affecting farmers.
• Outstanding organizational and communication skills.
• Attention to detail.
• The ability to prioritize tasks and to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.

Critical Skills Needed:

• Knowledge of Conservation Districts and of local, state and federal conservation programs.
• Attention to detail and ability to oversee multiple projects concurrently.
• Map development, interpretation and experience with and knowledge of GIS.
• Self-organizing and goal setting; detail-oriented.
• Willingness to travel throughout the District and to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Strong interpersonal, written and research skills.
• Computer skills, including basic bookkeeping knowledge.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Compensation

• The position is full time with hours ranging between 30-40 hours per week depending on grant funding.
• The wage is $17.50 per hour, with sick and vacation leave available after a 30 day probationary period.
• White River NRCD employment is “at will.”

Additional Information

Geographic Region:

• The White River NRCD serves landowners in 23 towns between Orange and Windsor County.
• District work is conducted primarily in the White River and Basin 14 watersheds.
• The District Manager position is based out of the White River USDA/NRCS Service Center, 28 Farmvu Drive, WRJ, VT.
• Travel throughout the district will occur on a regular basis for project scoping, landowner and partner meetings.

To Apply

• Please click "Apply" below to upload your cover letter, resume and three references to Marina Welch.
• Only digital applications will be accepted without prior arrangements.
• For a full description, please click here.