Illinois Valley Soil & Water Conservation District
102 S. Redwood Hwy. / P.O. Box 352
Cave Junction, OR 97523
(541) 592-3731
Job Announcement:
Conservation Technician
Announcement Date:
Application Due:
Location:
Wage:
August 2, 2016
POSITION OPEN UNTIL FILLED
Cave Junction, Oregon
Starts at $16.00 per hour plus a $100.00 monthly
Travel Stipend Plus On Track Earnings (OTE)
Opportunity
General Position Summary:
Position starts at 32 hours per week, with the possibility of full time status with OTE fulfillment. Further, the
position is at will, exempt, non-union position serving as the Illinois Valley SWCD and ODA funded
Conservation Technician. This position serves the district landowners and assists district efforts with local,
state, federal, and other natural resource organizations. This position is a blend of office management
responsibilities under the guidelines set forth by the board of directors and a Conservation Technician position
involved in carrying out a scope of work relating to water quality for the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
Skill Sets Required:
1. Project Manager/Conservation Technician
2. Understanding of General Accounting Practices and Budgets
3. Ability to work with landowners and producers
Duties:
This position is governed by the guidelines and reporting requirements of the Oregon Department of
Agriculture. The main focus is water quality. A scope of work is submitted annually to the ODA, which upon
approval, is followed throughout the year. Quarterly reporting is required. The position requires descriptive
writing, submitting and defending grant requests to achieve water quality goals within the district. The
position requires close partnerships with various funders from state and federal agencies. Personal skills
orally and in writing are paramount to this position. Experience writing grants is an advantage.
Accomplishes the Districts mission, goals, and objectives.
Works with the Office Manager cooperatively in developing budgets, and making presentations to the
Directors and to ODA.
Work with project funding agencies to develop agreements, contracts, work statements, project
budgets and reporting formats.
Closely track project progress, financial status, due dates and deliverables.
Take action as necessary to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget with all
deliverables met. Serve as District Contracting Officer’s Representative ensuring all aspects of
contracting are done in accordance with the State of Oregon requirements and policies adopted by the
board.
Ensure that the District meets its statutory obligations under ORS 568 to prepare long range and
annual work plans and hold an annual meeting at which its annual report and audit are presented.
Work with the Office Manager to conduct the following reviews annually and report the results or
recommendations to the Board of Directors:
o Risk Management using SDAO checklist
o District Policies
o Agreements and Contracts
o Employee Performance
Serve as principal point of contact for the District with local, state, and federal agencies.
Market the District to the public through website, social media, newsletter, radio, newspaper and
other means to inform the public who we are and what we do.
o Write articles for all district utilized outreach methods.
o Coordinate outreach and education events.
o Write the annual report of accomplishments
o Prepare and give presentations on the District, its programs and projects.
Actively pursue funding opportunities by writing grants to help implement the District’s initiatives.
Job Conditions:
This position requires a combination of office and field work.
Office work requires regular use of computers, including sitting and keyboarding for extended time
periods, and prolonged sitting or standing at meetings.
Field work is required over uneven terrain in and around farms, ranches, streams, and other potentially
hazardous areas either by foot or on an all-terrain vehicle. Inclement weather should be expected.
This position requires lifting of up to 50 lbs. occasionally; and additional requirements as they become
necessary.
Periodic travel to landowner properties, conferences, workshops, training sessions, field tours, early
morning, day or evening meetings outside the office is required. Occasional overnight travel may be
required. A valid Oregon driver’s license is required.
Use of the employee’s own vehicle may be necessary. Mileage will be reimbursed based on current
state mileage rates.
Qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree or 3-5 years of project management experience in a related natural resource field.
Possible areas include: riparian enhancement, natural resource management, agricultural science,
hydrology, and or construction management.
Preferred experience with design specifications, project and construction management includes spring
developments, fencing, terracing, and land management.
Project management experience needs to include coordination techniques and abilities to interact with
landowners and partnership agency staff in a timely, positive manner.
Excellent oral, written, and computer skills. Software proficiency to include but not limited to:
Microsoft Professional Suite software. Good understanding of mapping, databases a plus.
Civil Right Responsibilities:
This position will perform in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws for equal employment
and other civil rights required statutes. The Conservation Technician will apply administrative procedures to
assure projects, programs, and services are delivered without regard to race, age, color, national origin,
gender, religion, political beliefs, disability, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. Eligible veterans
who meet the qualifications will be given veterans’ preference. To receive preference, veterans must attach
appropriate documentation as outlined by the Department of Administrative Services at the following
website: http://www.oregon.gov/jobs/Pages/Veterans.aspx. Veterans may also call 1-800-692-9666.
How to Apply:
Cover letter
Resumes will not be accepted as substitution but may be submitted as additional support to the
application. (2 pages max)
A narrative that specifically addresses your experience and expertise in the following areas. Label your
responses to correspond to the letters below, and keep each response to a minimum. (2 pages max)
o Fiscal management: Describe your background in fiscal management, including the amount of
money in budget under your management and the scope of your skills, training and
responsibilities.
o Organizational leadership: Describe leadership roles you have had in organizations and the
outcomes of your leadership, detail your work with Board development, policy and planning,
and include your experience with entities.
o Natural Resources management: Describe your experience in developing and implementing
watershed health programs and projects.
o Partnerships: Describe partnerships you have been involved in and your role in them.
o Computer Skills: Describe your skills and experience with the following, Arc GIS, Microsoft
Office Suite of Software (Excel, Publisher, Power Point, Word, Outlook).
Application Instructions:
Submit the required documents electronically with a scanned signature page (pdf email attachments) to
[email protected] or mail to:
Illinois Valley SWCD
Attn: Kevin
PO Box 352
Cave Junction, OR 97523
Finalists may be asked to participate in 1 to 2 interviews.
Illinois Valley SWCD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.