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Feb 4 / BARD CEP

Community Conservation Specialist – Lake Stevens, WA

Organization: Snohomish Conservation District

Job Title: Snohomish Conservation District Community Conservation Specialist

Location: Lake Stevens, WA

Hours and Compensation: Permanent, full-time, with benefits. $41,000 – $60,000 DOE.

Application Deadline: February 20, 2013, 4:30 pm.

Posted On: January 31, 2013

Organization Overview:

Snohomish Conservation District is a political sub-division of state government that has been working with farmers and landowners since 1941. District boundaries include Camano Island (added in 1961) and most of Snohomish County. Snohomish Conservation District’s mission is to work cooperatively with others to promote and encourage conservation and responsible use of natural resources.

Description:

The position of Community Conservation Specialist has been developed to expand and implement the District’s activities to address a wide variety of resource concerns in the urban and residential areas of Snohomish County and Camano Island. Resource concerns include: stormwater, septic systems, properties on bluffs, shorelines and urban streams, encouraging backyard wildlife habitat, Native Growth Protection Areas (NGPAs), water and energy conservation, urban farming and urban forestry. Funding for this position is subject to availability of state and local government grants and contracts. The person hired for this position is directly responsible to the Community Conservation Program Manager, and works under the technical supervision of the Professional Engineer.
Responsibilities:

The primary responsibility for this position is the implementation of the District’s Community Conservation program and to coordinate a variety of activities with District partners and cooperators. The primary measure of success is completed low impact development (LID) plans and installed conservation practices to improve water quality and quantity, control erosion and improve wildlife habitat. Plans and projects must meet all necessary requirements for standards and specifications. Additional requirements include consistent follow-up with property owners and thorough planning and implementation of outreach events and activities in collaboration with District staff and partners.

Duties and activities include but are not limited to the following:

  • Provide landowners with technical assistance in site analysis, planning and engineering systems and assist client in implementing their management plans using basic surveying equipment, computing and plotting engineering notes, preparing field sketches and drawings, creating, modifying or adjusting standard designs, preparing permit applications and helping to secure funding where applicable.
  • Assist professional engineers in preparing preliminary designs, final designs, construction drawings, and construction specifications for complex structures. Incumbent will lay out work for construction, inspect work under construction, and provide necessary interpretations of the drawings and specifications needed to determine conformance with design and adherence to plans and specifications.
  • Conduct field investigations, surveys and assembles data needed in the development of conservation practices for structural and non-structural solutions to problems with water quality, erosion, drainage, and irrigation.
  • Develop resource management or low impact development (LID) plans with an emphasis on reducing runoff and water quality improvement.
  • Contact property owners and users who may be interested in District programs and discuss alternatives for needed conservation practices.
  • Promote and implement cost-share programs including landowner agreements, management of funds, reimbursements, and use of cost-share protocols.
  • Communicate with homeowner’s associations, realtors, government and tribal representatives, non-profits, and others who may be interested in promoting conservation district programs.
  • Assist in developing educational materials for land users and organizations.
  • Planning and coordinating of workshops and presentations, updating and creating new presentations as necessary and presenting at occasional evening and weekend events.
  • Assist in preparing grant applications for new and on-going district programs.
  • Attend regular conservation district board meetings and other local, area and state meetings as needed.
  • Attend local, state and national training sessions and workshops related to skills development.
  • Serve as an incidental motor vehicle operator, requiring operation of a motor vehicle on both public and private roads during daylight and occasionally after dark. A valid WA State driver’s license is required.
  • Enter progress on projects in an Access database and prepare reports on activities, including progress toward project goals as directed by the District Manager.
  • Assist with the annual district plant sale.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

This position requires at least three years of experience in planning, project management, budgeting and financial management, natural resource management, communications, and/or education and outreach and a Bachelor’s degree in a compatible field of study. This position requires the following skills:

  • Knowledge and experience in assessing bluff and slope stability and providing solutions to landowners.
  • Knowledge of a broad range of soil and water conservation principles, techniques, methods and practices to apply and install conservation systems which involve complex and diverse LID practices and other land uses principles.
  • Knowledge of a broad range of LID and engineering principles.
  • Knowledge of drainage and water conveyance principles.
  • Ability to motivate individuals to adopt and implement resource management practices on their property. This may include speaking in front of public groups, organizations, or clubs.
  • Knowledge and skills in computer use for word processing, database creation and maintenance, spreadsheets, drafting, scheduling, GIS, PowerPoint, and other uses as they arise. Ability above data entry level is required.
  • Creativity and adaptability related to event planning and outreach activities.
  • Flexibility and willingness to take on multiple projects.
  • Ability to operate a motor vehicle safely to and from the field.
  • Ability to work in the field on various terrains and under various conditions.
  • Ability to work alone or closely with others in a public office environment.
  • Ability to organize and plan own schedule of activities related to work goals set by the District Manager
  • Ability to maintain accurate records regarding time-keeping and authorized expenses.
  • Other desirable skills: experienced in using CAD or drafting software, ISA certified arborist, proficiency in ArcMap, community involvement and volunteering experience, interest and experience in growing food in a backyard garden or urban farm setting, familiarity with water and energy conservation programs, incentives and solutions for the public.

How to Apply:

Applicants must provide a cover letter, a completed application form available from the conservation district office or the website (www.snohomishcd.org), a resume, a sample of work relevant to the position, and three professional references. Application materials must be received at the Snohomish Conservation District office on or before 4:30 pm on Wednesday, February 20th, 2013. Faxed applications received by the deadline will be accepted if followed by a hard copy received by the District by Friday, February 22, 2013. Post-marked applications shall not be considered a substitute for the above requirement. Applicants may be subject to a background check. For more information contact Monte Marti at 425-335-5634 ext. 107.

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