Conservation Assistant - Marion County

The Conservation Assistant position at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in Knoxville, IA, provides administrative support to the Soil & Water Conservation District. Responsibilities include managing communications, assisting with meetings, maintaining records, and supporting conservation programs. The role requires two years of office experience and involves public interaction to promote land stewardship and preserve Iowa's natural resources.
About the position

The Conservation Assistant position at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) provides essential administrative and clerical support to the local Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) and its board members. This role is crucial in facilitating land stewardship efforts, ensuring effective communication, and maintaining accurate records related to conservation programs. The assistant will engage with the public, manage correspondence, and support various district activities, contributing to the overall mission of preserving Iowa's natural resources.

Responsibilities
• Answer multiline phone for all incoming calls and route to appropriate individual/department.
,
• Serve as the primary contact for all individuals entering the office.
,
• Provide customer service and information to the public regarding SWCD district activities and state cost share programs.
,
• Assist with contractor meetings by preparing agendas, meeting materials, and related mailings.
,
• Prepare and disseminate news releases appropriately.
,
• Assist staff and commissioners with travel reimbursement requests.
,
• Maintain an adequate supply of handout information, brochures, and job sheets.
,
• Process and distribute all incoming mail and prepare outgoing mail for delivery.
,
• Maintain files for all state and federal correspondence, directives, and policy changes.
,
• Provide program and financial incentive information for various state programs.
,
• Prepare IDALS quarterly reconciliations and reports.
,
• Process and enter applications and cost share payments into the Financial and Reports Management System (FARMS).
,
• Maintain accurate financial ledgers for State and District Program funds.
,
• Confer with the District Chair on upcoming activities and district policy.
,
• Prepare invoices and documents for accounts payable for the SWCD Board.
,
• Organize source documents for SWCD Board reconciliation and review.
,
• Collect documentation needed for annual SWCD and State audits.
,
• Prepare SWCD meeting agendas and take official meeting minutes for approval.
,
• Forward correspondence to SWCD Board members regarding action alerts and legislation.
,
• Maintain inventory of district and state-owned equipment.
,
• Assist the SWCD board with funding opportunities and scholarship programs.
,
• Coordinate newsletters and annual reports for the SWCD.
,
• Assist with the development of applications for recognition programs sponsored by IDALS.
,
• Renew annual bulk mail permit.
,
• Adhere to IDALS ethical and financial policies.
,
• Maintain NRCS inventory of equipment and property and submit to area office.
,
• Order repair of office equipment when necessary.
,
• Submit monthly postage and copier reports to area office.
,
• Maintain adequate inventory of office supplies and order from approved sources.
,
• Develop and maintain logs of complaints and service requests.
,
• Assist with outreach programs and prepare publications for presentation.
,
• Provide support to field staff for Federal programs.

Requirements
• Two years of full-time general office work experience, with one year involving secretarial or related administrative support duties.
,
• Post high school coursework in an accredited secretarial, business, or closely related curriculum may substitute for required experience on a month-for-month basis.
,
• Completion of thirty (30) semester hours of undergraduate college coursework may substitute for one year of required general office experience.
,
• Certification from the State of Iowa Administrative Assistant Certificate Program can substitute for six months of required experience.
,
• Current continuous experience in the state executive branch equivalent to one year of full-time work as a Secretary 1.

Nice-to-haves
• Experience with financial management systems.
,
• Familiarity with conservation programs and practices.
,
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Benefits
• Low out of pocket, high quality family medical insurance as low as $205.00 per month, single as low as $61.00 per month.
,
• Dental insurance is free for single and $46.00 per month for family coverage.
,
• $20,000 basic life insurance at no cost, with voluntary supplemental life available.
,
• Long term disability insurance at no cost.
,
• Exceptional retirement package including IPERS (Iowa Public Employee Retirement System).
,
• Deferred compensation plan with a state match of up to $75.00 per month.
,
• Paid leave including 9 holidays, sick, vacation, military leave, and jury duty leave.