Watershed Coordinator

This position provided technical assistance in relation to water quality and related programs for the Williams County Soil Conservation District.

Position Requirements/Duties:

• In cooperation with various federal, state, and local agencies assesses the need for conservation work within the district and recommends actions and programs to meet these needs.
• Become familiar with all aspects of the EPA 319 water quality program process.
• Pursues financial assistance from alternative sources to match EPA 319 program.
• Promote conservation practices through cooperator contact and follow‐up.
• Maintains personal contacts with cooperators, records contacts, and significant follow‐up items in their files.
• Conducts planning activities for conservation programs and contracts using the Technical Guide, Soil Survey, and other available tools.
• Provide assistance to cooperators applying practices.
• Evaluate practice effectiveness through follow‐up.
• Publicize water quality and conservation activities in cooperation with district, NRCS and other partnering organizations.
• Prepares and presents water quality and conservation programs to schools, groups, and agencies.
• Participates in the development of annual and long‐range work plan of the district for watershed portion.
• Operates the district and NRCS equipment safely and for authorized purposes.
• Collect water samples and gauge measurements to track water quality changes and assist in biological monitoring.
• Practice application monitoring and documentation.
• Gather water quality and land use data to aid in prioritizing resource concerns in the district.
• Educate producers on conservation practices and cost‐share programs.
• Contact potential watershed partners to improve the soil and water resources within the watershed.
• Contact all producers within the boundaries of the watershed through one on one contact and small group meetings to determine their interest and needs.
• Identify and promote the use of best management practices and/or set up public demonstrations that promote their use.
• Exercise initiative in furthering the district’s watershed program and investigate grant opportunities to fund program.
• Maintain records and accomplishments; submit necessary grant applications, reports, and in‐kind documentation to Clerk and Manager.
• Enter onsite and office contact and plan development into Conservation Desktop (CD) and Arc-GIS
• Conduct informal meetings.
• Coordinate with the ND Department of Environmental Quality.
• Assumes responsibility and exercise own initiative in furthering district programs.
• Keeps district board informed of actions taken, trends in conservation work and issues in which the district may have an interest.
• Keeps abreast of all federal, state, and local laws that affect the conservation work within the district, as well as NRCS policies.
• Report monthly to district board on activities and accomplishments.
• Keep an up-to-date log on daily activities to present at the monthly district board meeting.
• Coordinate requests for assistance with NRCS and other appropriate resource agencies.
• Record farmer contacts and significant follow‐up in cooperator file assistance notes.
• Maintains a cooperative relationship with all natural resource agencies operating within the district.
• Gather data and design conservation plans for producers using the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide.
• Conduct workshops, organize tours and coordinate with other watershed projects.
• Compile annual and semi‐annual reports.
• Keep up to date with relevant research and conservation trends.

All:

• Initiates on the job and formal training opportunities related to job duties.
• Attend training sessions when approved by the District Board/Manager
• Publicize conservation efforts in cooperation with NRCS district conservationist and other district staff through news articles.
• Displays courteous and tactful behavior towards internal and external customers, supervisors, co-workers, and/or team members. Projects a positive and professional image.
• Performs all duties in a timely manner which consistently demonstrates fairness, cooperation, respect towards coworkers, office visitors, and all others in the performance of official business.
• Track and record daily activities in your yearly appointment book.
• Perform other related duties as requested by the District Board and District Manager