Land Resource Specialist

Summary Under general supervision of the Conservationist, regulates compliance with the state agricultural performance standards, provides technical assistance to the public and other governmental agencies in assessing the need for and installation of conservation practices, to reduce soil erosion and protect water quality. Performs related duties as required. Examples of Duties Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Conducts field surveys to determine site-specific resource concerns and compliance issues. Estimates soil erosion and sediment delivery for conservation planning purposes. Provides technical information and assistance to land users, which may include practice recommendations to address resource concerns. Monitors compliance with regulations and program requirements. Conducts site investigations to determine and monitor compliance of farms with State performance standards and prohibitions and local regulations. Estimates soil erosion for regulatory planning purposes. Reviews and analyses various county records and utilizes other methods such as geographic information systems (GIS) data and field visits to determine compliance of land users with program regulatory requirements such as NR 151 Agricultural Performance Standards and Farmland Preservation Program requirements. Uses satellite Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment or other methods to collect specific land features, land areas and conservation practices for mapping and analysis. Chooses the correct computerized mapping tools within GIS to transfer and map locations within the GIS system. Develops customized maps of land features, resource inventories, and conservation practices; quantifies land features and inventories for further analysis; and conducts analysis of map layers to determine resource needs and trends. Assists with the administration of the multi-agency Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) including, but not limited to: coordination of department and federal agency activities, participant application monitoring, progress reporting and tracking, map making, field surveys, and conservation practice design and installation. Negotiates and develops cost share agreements with landowners, including, but not limited to: negotiating initial contract, determining eligibility, estimating practice cost, reviewing contract provisions, and notarizing signatures. Primary administrator of the Farmland Preservation Program for the County including, but not limited to: utilization of database for tracking of program participation, interpretation of policies to public, signing and issuing of Certificates of Compliance, coordination of reporting with Department Of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and monitoring of compliance with soil and water conservation requirements. Provides plan review, participation tracking in GIS geodatabase and cost-share to agricultural producers for the implementation of Nutrient Management Plans. Reviews Nutrient Management Plans to ensure compliance with 590 Nutrient Management conservation practice standard. Coordinates with crop consultants and provides annual reports to Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection for statewide plan tracking. Provides assistance to the public on groundwater testing including distribution of self-sampling materials and explaining how to take a proper sample. Coordinates with multiple federal, state, and local agencies on assessing compliance, program tracking and determining practices and funding sources to address resource concerns and provide program outreach. Provides education and outreach to farmers and landowners on regulations, available programs, and program rules. Maintains a variety of complex electronic and paper records and reports. It is unlikely an employee will perform all the duties listed, nor is the list exhaustive in the sense it covers all the duties an employee may be required to perform. The examples are merely indicative, not restrictive. Supervisory Responsibilities This job has no supervisory responsibilities. Typical Qualifications Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required . Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Education and/or Experience Associate degree in Natural Resources, Applied Science, or related field; one (1) to two (2) years related technical work experience in natural resources, conservation, or agriculture; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Language Skills Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical data and information, professional journals, technical procedures, governmental regulations, and maps. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing; and effectively present information, and respond to questions from department personnel, employees of the County, landowners, local government officials, and the general public. Ability to assemble, copy, record, and transcribe data and information. Mathematical Skills Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Ability to interpret inferential statistical reports and/or formulation and equation data. Ability to classify, compare, compute, tabulate, categorize, differentiate, measure and/or sort data. Reasoning Ability Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Computer Skills To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of internet, spreadsheet, word processing, SnapPlus and GIS mapping software. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations Notary Public, Certified Crop Advisor (CCA), WI Driver's License Other Skills and Abilities Knowledge of soil and water conservation practices and procedures with respect to general functions performed and, in the design, and installation of agricultural and construction site erosion control conservation practices. Ability to acquire basic knowledge of and interpret and apply County, State and Federal rules, regulations, policies, and program requirements. Knowledge of GPS, GIS, and legal land descriptions. Knowledge of SnapPlus and SnapMaps software; groundwater sampling, testing and contamination; mapping and erosion modeling. Ability to interpret aerial photographs, soil maps and transfer measurements and information. Ability to establish and maintain effective public and working relationships. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, or hear and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to walk, stand, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Regularly tours sites outside of the office. Field inspections may include climbing and working on slippery ground which requires good balance. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee may occasionally encounter individuals that may be under emotional stress. The noise level in the inside work environment is usually quiet but may be loud in the outside work environment. The benefits listed below represent an employee who works full-time (100%). Regular part-time employees working half time or more per week may be eligible to receive employee benefits on a prorated basis. Qualifying employees working an average of 30 hours per week are eligible to receive health insurance coverage at the same premium contribution level as regular full-time employees. The percentage of employment which has been established by the budget or Board, shall determine the benefit pro-ration, with the exception of Home Health Aides, who will be pro-rated in July of each year based on the percentage of full-time hours worked in the previous twelve (12) months. 1. PTO. (Paid Time Off). Calumet County's PTO Plan combines vacation, sick leave, holiday, and bereavement leave into a single leave plan - PTO. Newly hired full-time employees will be credited with six (6) days of PTO immediately upon hire. The accrual will be based on the employee's length of service with the County and the hours paid in a pay period. PTO may be carried over from year to year provided the balance does not exceed the maximum allowable amount. 2. ELB. (Extended Leave Bank). The Extended Leave Bank is a bank of time separate from PTO that is intended for use in situations where the employee is absent from work due to medical necessity lasting more than three (3) days, or for events qualifying under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). 3. Holidays. The official County holidays are factored into the PTO Accrual as follows: New Year's Day, Friday before Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, the Day Before Christmas Day, Christmas Day, and the Day Before New Year's Day. 4. Insurance. Employees eligible to participate in a High Deductible Health Insurance Plan. The County pays ninety (90%) percent of the single or family premium for full time employees who complete the Wellness Program criteria. To assist in meeting deductibles, the County will also contribute, to an HSA, for eligible employees. Dental and Vision Insurance is also available. 5. PEHP. (Post Employment Health Plan). The County provides a PEHP for regular full-time and eligible regular part-time non-represented employees. The PEHP is a multi-employer trust (IRS Code 501(c)(9)). The plan allows for a tax-free pre-funding of post employment medical expenses. The County contributes a biweekly flat dollar amount per employee. Contributions will be allocated to the universal reimbursement sub-account. 6. Life Insurance. The County provides a life insurance policy to qualifying employees equal to the estimated calendar year earnings of the position, with the County paying the premium. Additional units of insurance are also available along with spouse and dependent coverage, with the employee paying the full premium. 7. Disability Insurance. Long-term and short-term disability insurance is available, with the employee paying the full premium. 8. Retirement Plan. The County provides a pension plan through the Wisconsin Retirement System. The County pays 50% of the actuarially required WRS contributions for qualifying general employees. 9. Section 125 Flexible Spending Program. The County provides a Section 125 Flexible Benefits Program wherein the employee may set aside pre-tax dollars to use for expenses not covered by insurance or for dependent care expenses. 10. Deferred Compensation Program. The County provides a Section 457 Deferred Compensation Program wherein pre-tax dollars can be deposited in an investment of the employee's choice through providers used by the County.