Environmental Specialist II (Conservation Planner)

~ The Oklahoma Conservation Commission provides assistance to Oklahoma's 85 conservation districts and the public to foster a sense of stewardship and conservation management of Oklahoma's renewable natural resources. ~

This is accomplished through soil and water conservation, land use planning, small watershed upstream flood control, abandoned mine land reclamation, water quality monitoring, environmental education and wetlands conservation. Administration of the agency is carried out by an Executive Director.

There are five Conservation Commission board members, "Commissioners," representing the five areas of the state into which conservation districts are grouped.

Each of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission's divisions play an important role in furthering the mission of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission and conservation districts. The seven divisions include Administration, Conservation Programs, District Services, Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation, Water Quality, Information Technology, and Financial Management/Human Resources.

Position Overview

• Oklahoma Conservation Commission Water Quality Division seeks an Environmental Specialist II (Conservation Planner).
• Conservation Planner position with an emphasis on animal waste management planning.
• This position will be housed in a local conservation district and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) field office to support delivery of U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Bill Programs which specific emphasis on developing comprehensive nutrient management plans.
• The position will work with agricultural producers and other land owners, NRCS, conservation district, and other staff to help land managers adopt management changes that protect natural resources including water, soil, wildlife, and air.
• The position will focus primarily on supporting the voluntary adoption of conservation practices that help restore and protect healthy soils.

Duty Location:

• The position will be located in conservation districts in eastern Oklahoma.
• The majority of work will involve travel within the county of origin.
• Some trips outside the county are required with limited overnight stays possible, particularly for training purposes.

Responsibilities

Employees in this position are expected to:

• Work under the direction of the NRCS District Conservationists and other NRCS and Conservation District team members.
• Meet with landowners to promote farm bill programs, discuss natural resource concerns and solutions to concerns.
• Develop Conservation Plans in cooperation with landowners to include layout of conservation practices and development of a digital record using NRCS Toolkit Software, as well as review of plan and implementation according to agreed upon schedule, incorporating revisions as allowed and needed.
• Maintain detailed records of daily activities.
• Assist customers with program applications.
• Provide outreach for conservation planning and Farm Bill Programs.
• Explain conservation practices to land managers.
• Survey and gather preliminary data for development of conservation plan and conservation practice design.
• Complete USDA provided training on conservation planning, comprehensive nutrient management planning and other specific courses provided to USDA employees.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Required for this position include familiarity and experience with Oklahoma agriculture and its stakeholders, partners and key contacts in the environmental arena.
• The position requires knowledge of a wide variety of soil conservation, agronomic, engineering, hydrologic, biology, and forestry concepts, principles, practices, and methodology in order to independently resolve natural resource problems related to the implementation of soil and water conservation plans and provide area-wide technical assistance.
• Knowledge of cropping systems, rangeland, soils, pasture management, Farm Bill programs, water quality and surveying are preferred.
• Since these positions work closely with the public, the candidates must be outgoing and have excellent communication skills.
• The candidates should also be comfortable working independently but also with team members.
• He/she should be detail-oriented and possess strong organizational skills; be proficient with computers and contemporary software packages.
• These positions involve field work performed throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions.
• OCC requires the successful applicants to be a legal resident of the United States and hold or obtain a current driver’s license for the state of Oklahoma.
• Employees will be provided with training and oversight on conservation planning and NRCS programs.

Education and Experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree is required preferably related to agriculture, natural resource management, or other applicable science.
• A minimum of one year of experience in the agricultural sector is preferred.

Compensation

• Positions are full-time with benefits, unclassified state employee.
• Beginning salary will range from $30,000- $38,000, commensurate with experience.
• Positions currently extend three years, with the possibility of extension based on performance and availability of funding.

To Apply

• Please click "Apply" below to upload your cover letter, transcript(s), and contact information for references with "Conservation Planner" in the subject line, attn: Shanon Phillips.
• The position will remain open until closed.
• Please read instructions carefully and include all required documents when you submit your application.
• No additional information will be accepted after the application has been submitted.