POSITION SUMMARY:

The position's primary responsibilities will be to provide engineering technician, conservation 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, storm water, wildlife enhancement, 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.

 

The employee will be required to apply various surface water and groundwater models to the county including, but not limited to, Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE2), wind erosion models, hydrology and hydraulic models. The position will provide assistance to county priorities based on the percentage of funds applied to position from various sources.

 

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

 

1. Provide engineering technical design and conservation planning on erosion control, shoreland restoration, storm water, wildlife enhancement, surface and groundwater protection practices, and other best management practice designs as needed.

2. Provide nutrient management planning assistance to landowners.

3. Provide GIS and other natural resource inventory assistance.

4. Implement State soil and water resource management conservation plans, surface and groundwater protection.

5. Conduct farmland preservation compliance reviews according to WI State Statute Chapter 91.

6. Conduct Natural Resources Chapter 151 administrative code conservation compliance reviews for conservation plans, surface and groundwater protection.

7. Conduct Planning and Zoning permit compliance reviews for storm water control, non-metallic mine reclamation, wildlife enhancement and surface water protection.

 

 

NON-ESSENTIAL (PERIPHERAL) FUNCTIONS: In case of a disaster may be required to assist in disaster relief efforts.

 

 

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience:

• 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.

 

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of soil, surface water, and groundwater conservation, and nutrient and pesticide best management practices.

• Knowledge of Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE2), barnyard and manure storage rating systems, and general engineering technical hydrology models.

• Knowledge of farming operations, erosion control, animal waste pollution abatement techniques, and nutrient planning.

• Knowledge of basic hydrology and hydraulics.

• Knowledge of agricultural chemicals and their effects on soil and water.

   

• Skills with Windows based computers and programs for barnyard runoff (BARNY), streambank inventory, spreadsheets, and word processing is beneficial.

• Skills with Geographic Information Systems and AutoCAD.

   

• Ability to conduct effective oral and written communications.

• Ability to assist in organizing and conducting public meetings.

• Ability to inform, educate and persuade landowner decision making.

 

BLOOD-BORNE PATHOGENS CATEGORY:

This position is in the no exposure category for blood-borne pathogens and will follow all recommended training and procedure for this category.

 

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• As relates to “Essential Functions”

• Long periods of standing, sitting, and keyboard entry, frequent repetitive movement of arms, fingers, wrists, etc.

• Long periods of oral communication.

• Travel to training, conferences, seminars, and group meetings in and out of the County/State.

• Infrequent bending, crouching, stooping or kneeling; infrequent lifting of +10 pounds.

 

 

 

This position description should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of the job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated on this description.

 

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

 

Portage County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.