Conservation Technician

Portage County is hiring a full-time Conservation Technician in Stevens Point, WI, with a starting pay of $26.96/hr. The role involves providing engineering and conservation planning assistance to property owners, including erosion control, wildlife enhancement, and nutrient management. Responsibilities include conducting inspections, assisting landowners with grazing plans, and providing GIS support. Candidates should have an Associate Degree in a related field and relevant experience.
The Portage County Planning & Zoning department is hiring a full-time Conservation Technician!

Pay starts at $26.96 / hr

Summary of Position:
The position's primary responsibilities will be to provide engineering technician, conservation, grazing and nutrient management planning assistance to property owners to meet their conservation goals; also provides assistance to Land and Water Conservation staff and other County personnel. The position provides engineering technical design and conservation planning on erosion control, wildlife enhancement, grazing, surface and groundwater protection practices, and other best management practice designs. Provides nutrient management planning and shoreland restoration assistance to landowners. Provides geographic information system (GIS) and other inventory assistance to County staff.

What are the primary job duties?
• Provide engineering technical design and conservation planning on erosion control, shoreland restoration, storm water, wildlife enhancement, surface and groundwater protection practices, grazing and other best management practice designs as needed.
• Assist landowners in creating grazing plans.
• Assist lake districts, lake associations, and lake friends groups in updating lake management plans, grant applications and installation of conservation practices. Attend meetings and be an educational resource for residents regarding shoreland zoning, healthy shoreland properties grant opportunities and resource protection efforts.
• Administer Nonmetallic Mining Reclamation program. Conduct annual inspections and site documentation, prepare annual permit fee, update active acre GIS maps and financial assurance requirements for permit holders, receive and follow up on complaints. Prepare and submit required WDNR annual reporting. Maintain MSHA training annually.
• Coordinate county lake monitoring equipment. Collect and enter Countywide Lake water data, including DO, temperature and % saturation profiles and water chemistry on WNR approved lakes.
• Assist landowner and producer led groups with programming and educational efforts in resource protection including field days, contracts and reimbursement processing.
• Provide GIS and other natural resource inventory assistance.
• Implement State soil and water resource management conservation plans, surface and groundwater protection.
• Conduct Natural Resources Chapter 151 administrative code conservation compliance reviews for conservation plans, surface and groundwater protection.
• Conduct Planning and Zoning permit compliance reviews for storm water control, non-metallic mine reclamation, wildlife enhancement and surface water protection.

What are the minimum qualifications?
• Associate Degree in soil and water conservation, soil science, geography, natural resources, engineering technician or related degree.
• Any combination of education and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities.
• One year experience working with soil and water natural resource issues is highly desirable.
• Valid driver's license and access to an insured vehicle.

Portage County offers an AWESOME benefit package, which includes the following;
• Vacation - available on day one!
• Health insurance- your choice of two health plans- (Health Savings Account associated with a High Deductible Health Plan with a County contribution or a PPO Co-pay plan)
• Wellness incentive plan offered with health insurance enrollment! Earn up to $600 per year!
• Flexible spending account
• Dental insurance
• State of Wisconsin Retirement Plan - County contribution of 6.95%!
• Paid holidays
• Paid sick leave
• Life insurance- premium paid by the County (must work a minimum of 30 hrs/wk)
• Long term disability insurance- premium paid by the County (must work a minimum of 30 hrs/wk)
• EAP (Employee Assistance Plan) - paid by the County
• 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program

Portage County is an Equal Opportunity Employer