Conservation Planner I

State of Utah Office of the Governor•Taylorsville, UT

5d•$18 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

This entry-level position works under close supervision to design and implement soil and water conservation projects. You will provide technical assistance and guidance on funding opportunities to landowners and local cooperators, helping them execute projects that benefit both the environment and Utah's agricultural producers. In this role, you will collaborate closely with the NRCS and other conservation partners to deliver various programs, including UDAF initiatives like AG VIP, Water Optimization, the Pollinator Program, ARDL, Soil Health, ISM, and the LeRay McAllister Fund, as well as NRCS programs such as EQIP and CSP.

Requirements

An understanding of natural resource issues, grant writing, water management, and agriculture practices.
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Knowledge of applications and programming.
Have a high degree of self-motivation and work with minimal supervision.
Excel with interpersonal communication and team member contributions.
The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Risks requiring special safety precautions and/or equipment, e.g., working around operating machines, contagious diseases, hazardous chemicals, etc.; risks found in potentially dangerous/unusual situations, e.g. being subject to possible physical attack.
The work may require overnight travel.
Valid driver license required to drive a motor vehicle on a highway in this state per UCA 53-3-202(1)(a) ...granted the privilege to operate a motor vehicle by being licensed as a driver by the division under this chapter.
Work may require some physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching or similar activities.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Soil Science, Botany, Horticulture, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Engineering, or other natural resource management degree.
Equivalent experience and/or a combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

Provides technical assistance to landowners in developing and revising conservation plans.
Coordinates and/or acts as a liaison between agency or work unit and other agencies, work units, organizations, suppliers, etc. to implement best practices and stewardship measures to improve conservation efficiency, and resource effectiveness.
Writes and reviews grants, contracts, agreements, or Agriculture Resource Development Loans (ARDL). UDAF Programs you will work with Water Optimization Grants, and Ag VIP
Coordinates with other agencies, local governments, and interested groups by attending meetings, making presentations, and by providing technical assistance.
Analyzes, summarizes, and reviews data; reports findings, interprets results and makes recommendations.
Provides technical assistance at conservation improvement sites.