County Conservationist
Summary
| Title: | County Conservationist |
|---|---|
| ID: | 610000002 1.16.25 |
| Department: | Planning and Zoning |
| Deadline: | Open until filled. |
| Recruitment ends at 4:30 p.m. : | N/A |
| Job Type: | Full time |
| Hours per week: | 40 hrs / wk |
| Salary Range: | $71,803.26 / yr |
Description
The Portage County Planning & Zoning department is hiring a full-time County Conservationist to join the team!
Pay range starts at $71,803.26 / yr
What are the primary job duties?
Program Administration:
- Oversee development and implementation of the Portage County Land and Water Resource Management Plan. This Plan, as required by Ch 92.10, Wis. Stats., forms the basis for the Land and Water Conservation Program.
- Develop the Land and Water Conservation Program budget for approval by the Director of Planning and Zoning, Land and Water Conservation Committee, Planning and Zoning Committee, County Executive, and County Board.Maintain accounts for expenditures of all federal, state and local funds in the Land and Water Conservation Division budget.
- Design, review, implement and inspect programs for the Land and Water Conservation Committee and conservation practices and land use management strategies for landowners.
- Research, prioritize, apply for and administer special project grants to protect surface water and groundwater within Portage County.
- Participate in agricultural infrastructure to promote agriculture and resource protection as
determined by the Land and Water Conservation Committee and the Director of the Planning and Zoning Department. This includes the development of new agricultural markets to stabilize the industry and protect Portage County resources. - Participate in, along with the Planning and Zoning Department, open space strategies, groundwater protection, and other land use strategies.
- Develop, adopt and implement State and local performance standards and ordinances for natural resource management.
- Develop ordinances using performance standards as needed to protect Portage County resources.
- Provide resource plans to Farmland Preservation applicants and spot check these applicants each year.
- Administer the Animal Waste Ordinance for the County and NR243 investigations.
- Administer the Wildlife Damage Program in cooperation with APHIS.
- Develop liaisons between DATCP and Portage County for funds and State conservation programming.
- Administer Central Wisconsin Windshed Partnership.
- Construction Site Erosion Control/Stormwater Program.
Planning with Technical Assistance:
- Work with various interest groups to promote natural resource protection and invasive species control.
- Engineer conservation practices according to Portage County and NRCS standards.
- Assist other agencies in land use decisions by providing standards of performance.
- Plan land use decisions on landowner's property.
- Provide educational programs on resource management to land users.
- Design new standards in the wind erosion project for wind erosion control.
- Assist with and design research studies on wind erosion.
- Assist with Lake Management Plans and Aquatic Invasive Species Control.
- Assist with Invasive Terrestrial Species Control.
- Assist Producer led groups.
Supervision:
- Supervises all employees for the Land and Water Conservation Division.
- Supervises construction of conservation practices.
What are the minimum qualifications?
- Bachelor's degree in Natural Resource Management or related field.
- A minimum of fiver years of conservation and resource planning and assistance experience.
- Employee must hold a valid Wisconsin driver's license and have access to an insured, personal vehicle on a daily basis to conduct required field work.
- Any combination of education and experience necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.
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
