The Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District (FCNRCD) seeks a Project Technician to join their small team based out of St. Albans. We are looking for a smart generalist who is adaptable, detail-oriented, self-starting, and curious. The position involves scoping, planning, and implementing agriculture and natural resources conservation-related projects from start to finish with support and oversight from the District Manager and other FCNRCD staff.
More information can be found in the Position Description at the file here and in the description below:
To apply, please send Cover Letter and Resume to Lauren Weston, FCNRCD District Manager, at info@FranklinCountyNRCD.org
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interviews anticipated to be held in January 2023. Only digital applications will be accepted without prior arrangements.
Job Description
Job Title: Project Technician
Organization: Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District
Location: Hybrid – In office in St. Albans, VT with travel around Franklin County, VT + Telework as possible outside of field work
Hours: Full time, 35-40 hours/week
Date Posted: December 2, 2022
Anticipated Start Date: March/April 2023 depending on length of security check process
How to Apply:
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interviews anticipated to be held in January 2023.
Only digital applications will be accepted without prior arrangements.
Send Cover Letter and Resume to Lauren Weston, FCNRCD District Manager, at info@FranklinCountyNRCD.org
Please direct any questions to info@FranklinCountyNRCD.org or 802-528-4176
Position Summary
The Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District (FCNRCD, the District) seeks a Project Technician to join their small team based out of St. Albans. We are looking for a smart generalist who is adaptable, detail-oriented, self-starting, and curious. The position involves scoping, planning, and implementing agriculture and natural resources conservation-related projects from start to finish with support and oversight from the District Manager and other FCNRCD staff. This position includes a seasonal mix of computer-based and out-in-the-field work; computer work may include long periods of sitting, typing, and reading from a computer screen.
You should be able to assist on multiple projects simultaneously; effectively and respectfully involve constituents and partners; and stay within established budgets. The ideal applicant should have a strong commitment to agriculture and natural resources (natural ecosystems, wetlands, river/stream health, soil health, riparian buffers); have an interest in water quality; have experience hosting events; have experience working on grant-funded programs and assisting with writing grants; have strong and consistent communication skills in a variety of public and small settings; and have interest in education and outreach to various communities. Someone with a friendly, personable, warm, and welcoming personality will be most successful in this position as event hosting, one on one conversations with farmers, funders, partners, and community members is a large component of this role. We are looking for someone who can come up with good ideas and follow through with them. You should have an interest and ability to anticipate and identify obstacles and create solutions.
The position is currently funded for full-time and will require the applicant to successfully write grants and develop projects to maintain funding for this position, alongside the entire FCNRCD team. This position is full time with hours ranging between 35-40 hours per week. Starting pay is: $19-23/hr depending on experience; position includes paid leave, medical insurance stipend, annual retirement stipend, educational reimbursement, short- and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and generous flexibility (all policies available at the bottom of the webpage here: https://www.franklincountynrcd.org/about).
Applicant should be willing to travel throughout Franklin County, VT (access to USDA vehicles provided with clean driving record) and to work occasional evenings and weekends. Position will have an assigned desk, phone, and computer at the USDA Service Center in St. Albans.
It is essential for the person occupying this position to pass a low-level federal security check to be able to use the NRCS computer network and maintain confidentiality due to access to Personally Identifiable Information. Employment is subject to passing this security check.
About the Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District
The Franklin County Natural Resources Conservation District is an independent, county-level, grant-funded organization governed by a Board of Supervisors. We are a non-regulatory subdivision of Vermont state government that functions much like a non-profit, which means that landowner engagement with the District is voluntary and incentive-based. Our work is done by coordinating available resources to promote the conservation of natural resources through education conservation programs and technical services. We partner with various groups and individuals in our network including, but not limited to: USDA-Natural Resources Conservation District (NRCS), USDA-Farm Service Agency (FSA), UVM Extension, US Fish and Wildlife Service, VT Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM), VT Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), Vermont Association of Conservation Districts (VACD), Friends of Northern Lake Champlain, Northwest Regional Planning Commission, Healthy Roots Collaborative, Missisquoi River Basin Association (MRBA), Franklin Watershed Committee, other private non-profit organizations, and other related organizations and businesses.
Most funding for the District comes from competitive state and federal grants through the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Farms, and Markets, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, and USDA - Natural Resources Conservation District to work on agricultural and natural resources projects and education. Office space is provided by the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service in their Service Center located at 50 South Main Street in St. Albans. Current staff at the District include a District Manager, Projects Coordinator, and Project Technician. The District is looking to continue growing over the next few years pending grant funding opportunities.
Desired Skills
Ability to plan and carry out assignments independently and as part of a small team.
Ability to manage time effectively across multiple projects and determine priorities and goals.
Ability to work within existing work plans and deliver on assigned tasks in a timely manner and within budget.
Knowledge of agriculture, dairy specifically, and associated practices and conservation-related concerns.
Knowledge of watershed planning concerns and water quality best management practices for a variety of land stewards.
Strong interpersonal skills – aptitude for building relationships, trust, and understanding among diverse clients, partners, and stakeholders.
Map-making experience with various programs (e.g. ArcGIS); ability to think spatially.
Fluency in basic computer programs and ability to quickly learn new software.
Ability to assist with evaluation of effectiveness of ongoing outreach, education, and programming.
Project/Program Responsibilities Include: These describe the current responsibilities of the position. While fulfilling the District’s current obligations, the Project Technician will have some flexibility to shape and choose what work is most appropriate and of interest to be working on.
Agricultural Outreach & Technical Assistance
Host events relating to advancing agricultural water quality.
Assist farmers with nutrient management planning, soil sampling, updating plans, and harvest and nutrient applications recordkeeping.
Assist farmers with navigating various technical and financial assistance programs and regulations generally related to conservation and business planning. Assistance may include identifying resource concerns on individual farms, sending out notifications of programs and deadlines, assisting with grant applications, coordinating multiple partners and contractors who may be involved in a project, and more.
Communicate information on Best Management Practices, Required Agricultural Practices, soils, and regional practices related to Vermont farmers, and state and federal cost share programs through farmer course assistance, one-on-one assistance, and communications such as: press releases, newsletters, social media, blog posts, etc.
Maintain basic understanding of farm operations, the current science of conservation practices, and current programs and expertise available from various individuals and organizations.
Assist with regional coordination work as part of the Vermont Agricultural Water Quality Partnership.
Perform additional related responsibilities as need arises including working with the District Manager to expand and diversify relevant agricultural services to better serve more farmers.
Outreach, development, and implementation of natural resources projects
Utilize map-based screening tools and assessment documents to identify high-priority natural resources conservation and restoration projects, including but not limited to: riparian reforestation, wetland restoration, restoration of floodplain and streambank connectivity, and dam removals with the primary goal of water quality improvement, and secondary goals including aquatic organism passage, wildlife habitat, and flood resilience.
Working knowledge of watershed science and water quality issues.
Conduct targeted outreach to owners of properties with high priority restoration potential.
Develop, manage and implement projects. Most projects take 1-3 years from identification to completion and use multiple sources of funding.
Work with engineers and contractors on various planning, design, and implementation projects.
Provide referrals to restoration programs managed by conservation network partners.
Monitor and maintain completed planting projects for improved survivorship and intended water quality effects.
Other Programs
Assist with annual spring tree sale activities such as maintaining up-to-date order and inventory database and packing orders.
Create educational materials and experiences for diverse audiences related to agriculture and natural resources.
Coordinate volunteers, organize, and plant hundreds of trees each spring on private landowner property through Trees for Streams projects.
Lead educational efforts with students to increase environmental literacy.
Future potential opportunities
Depending on grant application success, partner support, and project scoping, future opportunities may include: community garden development; building climate resilience; leading community initiatives; stormwater projects related to roads and municipal infrastructure; assessing and planning around existing and future natural resource concerns across the county; others as concerns and initiatives as opportunities arise.
FRANKIN COUNTY NRCD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), marital status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, protected veteran status, disability, age (40 or older), political affiliation, and genetic information.
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