Soil Conservation Technician

The Soil Conservation Technician at Anderson County Government in Tennessee is responsible for supporting the Soil Conservation District. Duties include managing office bookkeeping, conducting environmental education, and working with local partners. The role involves fieldwork with farmers and government agencies to provide conservation planning and technical assistance, as well as performing engineering surveys and designing conservation practices.
ANDERSON COUNTY GOVERNMENT

SOIL CONSERVATION

Job Title: Soil Conservation Technician

Department: Soil Conservation

FLSA Status: Not-Exempt

PURPOSE OF CLASSIFICATION

The purpose of this classification is to perform work associated with Soil Conservation department and to provide support within the Soil Conservation District.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required or assigned.
• Answer all incoming calls and greet the public in a professional manner
• Use a computer keyboard and agency-specific software to carry out daily work.
• Manage all bookkeeping for the office including but not limited to: requesting funds from Anderson County Government, writing grant proposals for the Ag Resource Conservation Funds from Tennessee Department of Agriculture and administering these funds to participating landowners, balancing District bank accounts, completing all 1099-G?s, 1099-M?s, and 1096?s for the IRS.
• Construct monthly Soil Conservation District agendas and financial statements for board meetings. Record accurate minutes and maintain the meeting files.
• Carry out assigned duties in the District Plan of Work.
• Maintain the Natural Resource Conservation Service and Soil Conservation District inventory and supply lists and office files.
• Conduct environmental education requirements and soil stewardship requests for the District.
• Must be able to communicate with and participate in activities that are sponsored by local partners including: Natural Resources Conservation Service, Tennessee Valley Authority, Bullrun Creek Partnership, Lower Clinch Watershed Council, Farm Bureau, University of Tennessee Ag Extension Service, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Farm Service Agency, Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Tennessee Division of Forestry, and various other government and private organizations.
• Work daily in conjunction with the District Conservationist. Related to conservation planning.
• Spend up to 50% of the time working in the field with farmers, other land users, and government agencies offering them conservation planning and technical assistance to improve water quality, conserve the soil, manage nutrients, and protect and improve wildlife habitats.
• Help perform engineering surveys and design standard conservation practices such as stream crossings, roof runoff systems, alternative watering facilities, streambank stabilization, grade stabilizations, etc.
• Make follow-up visits to check the progress and results of the practices and update the land users? conservation programs.
• Assist with conservation planning activities using agency specific software and programs to complete farm conservation programs, assembling conservation plan and contract folders.
• Complete mandatory training and attend conservation training related to conservation planning activities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• High School Diploma or GEED. Bachelor?s degree with a major in soil conservation or related agricultural or natural resource discipline, such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, agricultural economies, agricultural education, or agricultural engineering preferred.
• At least one year of experience in farm or ranch operations that make you familiar with conservation practices is desirable.
• Knowledge of office machines and computers programs including Adobe, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Must be able to pass a background check.
• Must have a valid Tennessee driver?s license.

PERFORMANCE APTITUDES

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to calculate and/or tabulate data; includes performing subsequent actions in relation to these computational operations.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to provide guidance, assistance, and/or interpretation to others regarding the application of procedures and standards to specific situations.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems; to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form; and to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

ADA COMPLIANCE/PHYSICAL DEMANDS ANALYSIS

Physical Ability: Must have the ability to exert very moderate physical effort in work, typically involving stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling. May involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials up to 50 pounds.

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: This job requires traversing all types of terrain on foot, crossing drains, creeks and fences. Weather conditions range from hot to cold, and field conditions vary from dry to wet, balmy or windy, and rainy and snowy.

These are considered essential duties and are illustrative of job tasks that are fundamental. Employees may be required to perform additional related duties as may be assigned by management. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Anderson County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer

and a Drug / Alcohol Free Workplace

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $16.00 per hour

Benefits:
• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Schedule:
• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends

Education:
• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:
• GIS: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:
• Driver's License (Preferred)

Work Location:
• Multiple locations

This Job Is Ideal for Someone Who Is:
• Dependable -- more reliable than spontaneous
• People-oriented -- enjoys interacting with people and working on group projects
• Detail-oriented -- would rather focus on the details of work than the bigger picture

Work Remotely:
• No

COVID-19 Precaution(s):
• Temperature screenings
• Social distancing guidelines in place
• Sanitizing, disinfecting, or cleaning procedures in place