Conservation/Wildlife Technician

Fairfield County Ohio • Lancaster 43130, OH

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About The Position

Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in Lancaster, Ohio is hiring a full-time Conservation/Wildlife Technician, described in the posting as a Wildlife/Education Specialist. The role supports agricultural and urban conservation programs, wildlife management, education, field inspections, and technical services for county residents and partner organizations.

The technician surveys, designs, lays out, inspects, and documents conservation projects in accordance with NRCS planning procedures, standards, specifications, and related guidance. The role assists with state and federal conservation programs, construction and development inspections, landowner services, wildlife habitat and nuisance-animal issues, workshops, and public education. It also includes maintaining program records and reports, supporting District projects and communications, and coordinating utility locations.

The position requires a four-year college degree or equivalent experience in a related field and a valid Ohio driver’s license, with eligibility to drive District vehicles under its automobile policy. The technician must obtain specified certifications within two years. Work may involve outdoor fieldwork in severe weather, irregular hours for fieldwork or programs, heavy equipment, water, rough terrain, roadsides, pesticide application, and occasional heavy lifting.

Requirements

• Four-year college degree or equivalent experience in agriculture, engineering, soil science, forestry, wildlife management, natural resources, environmental science, or a related field.
• Valid Ohio driver’s license.
• Must be insurable under the District’s automobile policy and eligible to drive District vehicles.
• Obtain a Small Unmanned Aircraft System Remote Pilot Certificate within two years.
• Obtain Project WET (EPA), Project WILD (ODNR Division of Wildlife), and Project Learning Tree (ODNR Division of Forestry) certifications within two years.

Responsibilities

• Survey, design, lay out, inspect, and prepare as-builts for conservation work following applicable NRCS handbooks, standards, and specifications.
• Assist in administering the State Pollution Abatement Program, EQIP, CRP, H2Ohio, ECP, and RCPP.
• Use computer-aided drafting, engineering software, and modern surveying techniques to prepare project documents.
• Assist with construction-site inspections for compliance with Ohio EPA NPDES Phase II Permit requirements and local regulations.
• Inspect construction-site infrastructure and new-home construction sites for compliance with local regulations and drainage, erosion, and sediment-control requirements.
• Serve as backup for Silviculture Pollution Abatement complaints following ODNR procedures.
• Assist landowners with the District’s no-till seeder and tree planter.
• Complete pesticide application training for work with contracted conservation partners and special projects.
• Assist NRCS staff with cost-share programs, mid-contract maintenance checks, and compliance for contracts on private land enrolled in USDA programs.
• Assist residents with food plots, wildlife habitat improvements, nuisance-animal problems, pond vegetation, and fish-management questions.
• Connect conservation groups with events that promote habitat and education.
• Maintain a list of hunters and trappers to assist landowners.
• Organize and host at least one wildlife workshop annually, such as a pond clinic.
• Follow ODNR Division of Wildlife procedures for deer damage permits and maintain its crop-damage complaints database.
• Develop basic proficiency with GPS/GIS technology and work toward NRCS job approval authority.
• Contribute ideas and content to the District newsletter, newspaper articles, and radio-show topics.
• Assist staff with technical workload updates and reporting, including monthly board reports.
• Help maintain and develop FSWCD-sponsored demonstration projects.
• Coordinate utility locations with OUPS and utility company representatives.
• Plan tours and workshops, including contractor workshops.
• Use and maintain current the approved Division of Soil & Water and Fairfield County timekeeping system.
• Perform other related duties as required or assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time