Conservation Technician & Outreach Assistant

Hamilton County, Indiana • Noblesville, IN

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Incumbent serves as Part-Time Conservation Technician & Outreach Assistant for the Soil and Water Conservation District for Hamilton County, responsible for providing technical assistance and conservation outreach, assisting and supporting conservation education programs, and promoting and enhancing community involvement with natural resource conservation.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED and a minimum of two years of experience with education/ outreach programs, conservation methods/ implementation, or natural resource, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and to prepare reports.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other county departments, homeowner associations, stakeholder groups, SWCD Board, related agencies/departments, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.
• Ability to learn and understand the basics of SWCD policies, procedures, and legal requirements; natural resource, conservation planning, plant sciences, soils, water quality practices, farm operations/management, urban agriculture, gardening, pollution prevention, and storm water management; and ability to apply this knowledge to projects and programs.
• Ability to properly operate software programs and standard office equipment such as calculator, computer, copier, printer, fax machine, and telephone.
• Ability to count, compute, and make arithmetic simple calculations.
• Ability to prepare news releases, informational packets, displays, plan/present educational programs, and workshops with ability to speak comfortably in front of large/small groups, and all ages on topics of conservation.
• Ability to file, post, mail materials, and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to understand, memorize, retain and follow oral or written instructions.
• Ability to work alone with minimum supervision.
• Ability to work with others in a team environment, and maintain appropriate, respectful interrelationships with co-workers.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of department information/records according to state requirements.
• Ability to comply with all employer/department personnel policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
• Ability to work on several tasks at the same time, often under time pressure, and complete assignments effectively amidst frequent distractions and interruptions.
• Ability to occasionally work extended, weekend and/or evening hours, and occasionally travel out of town for meetings and training, sometimes overnight.
• Ability to drive work truck, education trailer, or equipment within county and across the state.
• Possession of a valid Indiana driver's license and demonstrated safe driving record.

Nice To Haves

• Incumbent performs standard, recurring duties according to department policies and procedures.
• Incumbent receives moderate supervision, with priorities determined primarily by service needs of the public.
• Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, SWCD Board, homeowner associations, stakeholder groups, related agencies/departments, and the public for purposes of exchanging information, and explaining policies and procedures.
• Incumbent reports directly to SWCD Conservation Administrator.
• Incumbent performs duties in a standard office environment and in the field, involving sitting and walking at will, walking/standing for long periods, walking on uneven terrain, pushing/pulling objects, lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, speaking clearly, close/far vision, hearing communication, and occasional exposure to adverse weather conditions.
• Incumbent loads and transports district equipment and trailer to work sites within and outside of county.
• Incumbent occasionally works extended, evening and/or weekend hours, and occasionally travels out of town for training and meetings, sometimes overnight.

Responsibilities

• Assists staff in providing conservation technical assistance and information to landowners/users about conservation practices.
• Assists with development/fulfillment of outreach programs with publicity, news articles, and at public functions.
• Assists with coordination and/or presentation of conservation education programs, classroom activities, teacher workshops, and adult education programs, including scheduling and arranging tours, field days, fair displays, and/or meetings.
• Promotes conservation practices, including assisting with newsletters, articles, and informative brochures, developing displays, exhibits, and curriculum on natural resources, and establishing and promoting the use of outdoor laboratories.
• Assists in organizing, implementing, and participating in public events, SWCD annual meeting, soil trailer program, and Envirothon competitions.
• Updates and helps maintain department website, social media presence, publicizing office activities and programs, press releases including posting public events information as needed.
• Assists in preparing grant proposals, grant reports, and donation requests for funding of projects.
• Answers telephone and greets office visitors, providing information and assistance, and responds to natural resource inquiries or directs inquiry to appropriate staff or partners.
• Assists other SWCD personnel with programs as needed.
• Maintains records of activities, contacts, and progress.
• Prepares/submits monthly narrative of activities for SWCD Board, making a written report, oral presentations, and comments as appropriate.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life (employee, spouse, children), Long and short-term Disability
• Hamilton County Employee Health Center & Pharmacy (Noblesville/Westfield): High quality primary medical care facility and wellness services
• Advocacy Program – One-on-one appointment with a Physician to evaluate chronic illness/injuries
• Nutrition Education and Wellness Center (diabetes, high cholesterol, weight loss and management, cancer and kids health)
• Pharmacy – Low-cost co-payments, encourage use of generic meds, Medication Management Program providing review of medication interactions/effectiveness
• Sick leave, bereavement, holidays (10-13 per year), compensatory time, paid time off (1 week at 6 months, 2 weeks at 1 year then an additional day each year until max of 22 days on year 15).
• Upon completion of 30 years of service time, employees earn 1 additional day per year up to 40 years of service time.
• Indiana Public Employee Retirement Fund Pension (annuity & pension), AUL Deferred Compensation Plan, McCready Retirement (Merit staff)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED