Soil and Water Conservation Technician

The Soil and Water Conservation Technician at Hillsborough County supports conservation efforts in Plant City, FL. Responsibilities include collaborating with agricultural producers, developing conservation programs, assisting with grant applications, and maintaining project documentation. Required qualifications include a relevant bachelor's degree, knowledge of conservation practices, strong communication skills, and project management abilities. The role focuses on promoting sustainable land and water management practices within the community.
## Key Role Overview

This Conservation Technician role supports the Hillsborough Soil and Water Conservation District in delivering technical services for land, soil and water conservation across watersheds that flow through Hillsborough County into Tampa Bay. The incumbent applies field and collaborative technical knowledge to support agricultural producers, rural landowners and green infrastructure projects, assists in project development and reporting to funding partners, and helps identify and pursue grant and funding opportunities.

## What are the Key Responsibilities?

- Build and maintain effective working relationships with agricultural producers, trade organizations, educational institutions, NGOs, and government agencies involved in rural lands and green space management.

- Develop and maintain subject matter expertise on relevant technologies, policies, regulations and programs related to land, soil and water conservation practices.

- Effectively communicate complex land management concepts in a way that is understandable to the general public.

- Collaborate with team members and partner representatives toward the development and implementation of natural resource conservation programs and projects.

- Assist the Executive Director and Board members in developing program funds and projects that align with the Agency's mission, values and priorities.

- Assist agricultural producers and rural landowners with preparing applications for external project funds.

- Inspect properties, identify land management opportunities and liabilities, assist landowners in collecting samples, synthesize and report data, and assist in preparing and organizing documents in support of funding opportunities.

- Prepare regular reports on projects, activities, expenses and outcomes.

- Maintain accurate records and documentation related to grant applications, approvals, and project progress.

- Ensure that assigned projects adhere to grant requirements, regulations, and ethical standards.

- Promote and encourage the adoption of farming-, land- and water-management practices that sustain natural resources associated with green infrastructure and arable lands.

- Advocate for the Conservation District's policies on behalf of sustainable agriculture, food security, land use and soil and water management.

## What are the Required Qualifications?

- Education: A bachelor's degree in a relevant field of agriculture or agricultural communications is typically required to achieve subject matter expertise; alternative combinations of post-high-school education, technical training certificates and relevant experience may qualify an applicant without a four-year degree.

- Experience/Skills: Knowledge of soil and water conservation principles and agricultural/conservation land management practices; ability to collect, analyze and interpret environmental data; ability to research funding opportunities and support grant application development.

- Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills in English, including public speaking; ability to explain technical and policy information to public and stakeholder audiences.

- Project and Community Skills: Detail-oriented project management and workload management skills; ability to engage community and build/maintain stakeholder relationships.

- Critical Thinking and Policy Awareness: Ability to read, comprehend and analyze complex written communications (legislative documents, policy manuals, procedures, rules, regulations) and stay informed about relevant environmental policies and laws.

- Licenses: Must possess a valid Florida Driver's License at the date of hire and maintain it while employed in this position.

## What are the Preferred Qualifications?

- Advanced Degree: A master's degree in a relevant field is highly desirable.

- Technical Expertise: Expertise in geographic information systems (GIS), geomatics, agricultural automation or agritechnology systems.

- Writing and Reporting: Technical writing experience for project planning, grant applications, project/grant performance reporting, or natural resource journalism.

- Certifications: Technical/professional certifications that may substitute for coursework, such as Agricultural Consultant, Crop Consultant, Conservation Planner, Geomatics Certificate, GIS Certificate, Agricultural Communications Specialist, Agritechnology Specialist, Forestry Specialist, Natural Resources Specialist, or Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

## Compensation & Benefits

- Hourly pay range: $27.14 - $47.52 per hour; annual equivalent range listed as $56,451.20 - $98,841.60.

- Starting pay noted: $29.85 per hour (annual $62,088) plus other compensations.

- FLSA Category: Non

- Exempt; Pay Grade: Classified Professional, CAD

- CP4.

## Additional Information

- Work arrangement: Combination of fieldwork (site visits, ground truthing, data collection) and office work (data analysis, report writing, project planning, grant research and development). Occasional late hours or out-of-town/overnight travel may be required.

- Physical demands: Outdoor and indoor activities; exposure to sun, pollen, dust, grass and subtropical environment; repetitive lifting up to 50 pounds; ability to navigate uneven terrain, walk, stand, wade in shallow water and operate machinery occasionally.

- Driving/Equipment: Expected to operate a County-owned vehicle; driving to multiple locations in a day is common and occasional operation of offroad or farm equipment may be required.

- Employment status: Incumbent is a classified employee as defined in the Hillsborough County Administrator's Human Resources Policy Manual.