POLK SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT JOB ANNOUNCMENT Title: Time Frame:
Resource Management Technician Annual Position: Full Time (This position will be reviewed each year and the focus may be modified or the duration continued for a period of time based on the availability of funds.) Starting Salary: $2,558.50/month ($30,702/year) APPLICATION MATERIALS ARE DUE MARCH 28, 2012 BY 12 PM (NOON)
INTRODUCTION This annual position with the Polk Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in Dallas, Oregon is designed to attract a natural resource professional. The Resource Management Technician will provide professional technical service directed towards education, outreach, and the development/implementation of individual land management plans. The Technician will assist with the Polk SWCD’s Natural Resource programs to implement conservation practices such as reduction of soil erosion, invasive control, crop and manure management, improvement of water quality, and salmon habitat in furtherance of the Oregon Plan. The position provides educational and technical assistance on SB1010 in 2 Agriculture Water Quality Management Areas (AWQMA) within Polk County. The Technician will assist the District Manager and other Polk SWCD Staff with Outdoor School and various education lessons. This position will be for one year, with the possibility of extension based on available funding. POSITION QUALIFICATIONS This position requires a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree with major course work in agricultural sciences, natural resource management, soils and water quality, or a related discipline and at least one year work experience in natural resource. Having an additional degree, coursework, or experience in education, communications or science is desirable. Interpersonal communication and interaction with others shall be accomplished in a professional and courteous manner. The employee will provide their own vehicle with insurance coverage, be willing to use it for work related travel and be reimbursed at the current state mileage rate and do so within budgeted travel levels. POSITION DUTIES (Duties may include but are not limited to the following nor are they listed in any particular order of importance): • Support the Polk SWCD in implementing programs based on the Polk SWCD’s annual plan in cooperation with federal, state, and local agencies; landowners; private groups; and the general public. • Able to coordinate, and perform multiple job functions • Work directly with the District Manager o Communicate with District Manager, Co-Workers, Landowners, Directors, and Other Agencies o Assist Co-Workers when instructed by District Manager Be an effective team player with a demonstrated collaborative working style • Consult with Landowners, Managers, Partners, and general Public o Develop Outreach / Resource Management Tools o Develop conservation plans, restoration projects, and invasive controls Provide technical assistance for the implementation of these projects Research and obtain funding for these projects o Answer the telephone and assist walk-ins and/or telephone customers • Conduct a public outreach program to increase public awareness and participation in Polk SWCD activities. This outreach may include: o Writing news articles, compiling and issuing resource information for the public, and assist development and production of brochures o Staffing the Polk SWCD’s display at events and conducting conservation contests o Organizing Polk SWCD sponsored educational tours and represent the Polk SWCD in appropriate forums when directed o Conduct Workshops approved by the District Manager Organize, promote, present, and host workshops Page 1
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Prepare presentations for agencies, Extension, Staff, Directors, and the Public. Write articles or press releases about the workshops for local papers, newsletters, etc. Assist and participate in Polk SWCD school education programs and activities o Assist District Manager and Polk SWCD Staff with Outdoor School program • Must have strong communication skills for contacting students, counselors, parents, and teachers for Outdoor School purposes • Intercommunication back to District Manager is crucial • Stay overnight during Outdoor School Sessions Assist with the Polk SWCD’s Annual Work Plan Activities. Activities included but not limited to: o Native Plant Sale o Annual Meeting o Restoration and Conservation Projects o Volunteer Program Research, write, and submit grant proposals after receiving approval from the District Manager or Personnel Committee. Be proficient on Computer o Ability to communicate and use excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop, Microsoft Office, and project management programs o Create spreadsheets, maps, and other outreach materials Work in a timely manner Prepare and submit various written and oral reports on activities o Document and report progress as required including maintenance of a daily job schedule. Attend Meeting and Trainings o SWCD monthly Board evening meetings (2nd Wednesday of month) o SWCD Employee Conference o Any other meetings or training the Polk SWCD may have an interest in Obtain or possess a valid Oregon driver’s license, have a good driving record and have appropriate car insurance coverage for the State of Oregon Adhere to Polk Soil & Water Conservation District Policies and the ability to understand site protocols, policies, and procedures o All duties and actions taken by the incumbent while on official duty will be performed in a safe and healthful manner and will be of a nature to reflect favorably on the Polk SWCD. Other duties as assigned by the District Manager or Personnel Committee.
WORK SCHEDULE/WORKING CONDITIONS Full-time Polk SWCD employees are required to work 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. However the schedule will be flexible to allow for adjusting work hours around meetings and other events that may take place during evening hours and/or weekends. The employee is expected to post and review their schedule with the District Manager. The employee’s job involves both office and field work. Office work may include assisting clients, writing conservation plans, writing reports, computer work and attending meetings. Field work may require regular and recurring physical exertion that requires walking, hiking, wading in water, and climbing in all types of weather and on steep or rough terrain. Field visits will be made to project locations to gather data and make assessments of needs. Overnight travel may be required to represent the Polk SWCD and their interests at various seminars and conferences and Outdoor School. Work also requires attendance at night meetings of the Polk SWCD Board and/or meetings in which the Polk SWCD has an interest. SUPERVISION The Polk SWCD District Manager or Chair of the Board will provide overall supervision, orientation and administrative training. Technical support may be provided by the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) as requested by the Polk SWCD District Manager, Polk SWCD Directors or through other local, state or federal agencies as needed. ANNUAL WORK PLAN A work plan is required to describe the workload, direction, and District goals. This work plan is consistent with the Polk SWCD’s Annual Work Plan objectives. While intended as a program guide for the employee, the Polk Page 2
SWCD will use this work plan as a tool to measure and evaluate performance. The employee and the District Manager will sign the position description/work plan. REVIEW OF PERFORMANCE The first six (6) months of employment with the Polk SWCD will be considered a trial period. This affords the Polk SWCD and employee an opportunity to evaluate each other and to decide whether or not to continue employment. Employees are considered “At–Will” and can be terminated at any time. Employees will meet with the District Manager at the end of three months and following the six-month trial period with the Polk SWCD’s Personnel Committee (the District Manager and three designated Directors). A written assessment of performance signed by both parties will be included as part of the performance review. However, evaluations can be conducted at more frequent intervals if necessary. The purpose of the review is to determine the amount and quality of work performed by the employee in accordance with specified duties. Deficiencies may be an indication of needed training and outstanding performance levels may be deserving of special Polk SWCD recognition and/or pay adjustment. The employee’s duties will be reprioritized quarterly during the course of employment by the District Manager. BENEFITS The Polk SWCD provides retirement membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP) and approximately 90% of the employee’s medical and dental coverage once criteria’s are met. Polk SWCD policy allows employees up to 10 paid Federal holidays, annual leave (maximum of 200 hours) and sick leave (up maximum of 200 hours). Annual and sick leave are awarded at the rate of 8 hours per (FTE) month on the first day of each pay period once an employee completes 6 full months on the job. Should an employee leave or be terminated, any unused annual leave will be paid. Any unused sick leave will not be paid. Both leaves’ can be taken beginning the second pay period following removal from the 6 month trial period. As funds allow, and contingent on approval by the District Manager or the Personnel Committee, the Polk SWCD will cover most or all costs incurred in job-related training or courses. OVERTIME As a full-time employee of the Polk SWCD, you are considered salaried and will be expected to work your regular assigned schedule. However, extra hours of work may be necessary and credit time may be accrued with the District Managers advance approval. Employees cannot carryover more than 60 hours of credit/comp per month. APPLICANTS COMPLETED APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST INCLUDE 1) RESUME 2) POLK SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION (Available on-line) 3) SIGNED AND DATED RELEASE AND WAIVER FORM 4) PLEASE RESPOND IN WRITING TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AND ATTACH TO YOUR APPLICATION FORM. 1. Explain your experience in agriculture management. Include farm, livestock, manure, crop, soil, and invasive control. Describe who you worked with work (Landowners, managers, agencies, public, etc.) 2. Detail your experience conducting a natural resources outreach program. Include details about your role in workshops, tours, outreach methods, producing educational materials, displays, and topics you have taught pertaining to natural resources and age ranges. Feel free to include examples in your application. Page 3
3. Public involvement at trainings/workshops has decreased over the past few years; describe how you would address getting the information about Natural Resources to the public. 4. You are giving a presentation at a workshop and a person from the audience asks a question which is really a statement, about radical views on government policy. How would proceed? The person continues to interrupt with comments. What would you do to address the situation? Finally, the person approaches you after the workshop. 5. Give an example of a team project in which you participated. Describe your role and the challenges you faced. What would you do if some of the members were not contributing? How would you motivate the other members of the team in order complete the task on time. 6. A landowner wants to build a pond on their property. They enjoy wildlife and would like to have more wildlife. How would you proceed? Detail what resources you would use. 7. A landowner reports his neighbor has 120 buffalo on one acre. They have excessive manure and erosion which is running onto his property. What would you do? 8. Detail your grant writing/fund raising experience. Include donations and grants proposals (number successfully funded, types of grants, and to whom they were written). Feel free to include an example of an application you submitted. 9. A Criminal History background check is required by the School Districts, and the Natural Resource Conservation Service; have you ever been convicted, plead guilty, or received a diversion to any felony, misdemeanor, or violation, in municipal, justice, state, or federal court? If yes, please explain. APPLICATION MATERIALS ARE DUE MARCH 28, 2012 BY 12 PM (NOON). MAIL, DELIVER, EMAIL, OR FAX YOUR COMPLETED APPLICATION MATERIALS TO: Polk SWCD ATTN: Jackie Hastings 580 Main Street, Suite A Dallas, OR 97338 Telephone: (503) 623-9680 Ext. 110 Fax: (503) 623-3489 Polk.swcd@polkswcd.com Postmarks are NOT accepted as on-time applications. Faxes and emails are accepted but the SWCD is not responsible for problems with fax or email transmittals. If faxing or emailing application, you must mail a hard copy with signatures. Please make copies of any application materials you wish to keep as copies will not be provided.
APPLICATION MATERIALS ARE DUE MARCH 28, 2012 BY 12 PM (NOON).
Incomplete or late Applications will not be considered The Polk SWCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. The Polk SWCD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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IMPORTANT - Please read carefully and initial each paragraph before signing.
RELEASE AND WAIVER I authorize any person, school, current employer (except as previously noted), past employer(s), listed references, and organizations named in this application form (and accompanying resume, if any) and any other person or entity with knowledge of me to provide the Polk Soil and Water Conservation District with any information and opinion which the company regards as useful to it in making a hiring decision, and I release such persons and organizations from any legal liability in making such statements or furnishing any and all information that the company may seek. ___________Initials
I authorize the investigation of all statements contained in this application (and accompanying resume, if any) and any other person or entity with knowledge of me. I understand that if my position is one that warrants such an inquiry, the company may request an investigative consumer report from a consumer reporting agency that includes information as to my character, general reputation, personal characteristics, and mode of living. I understand that the investigative consumer report may involve personal interviews with my neighbors, friends, relatives, former employers, schools, and others. I also understand that under the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act I have the right to make a written request to the company, within a reasonable time, for the disclosure of the name and address of the consumer-reporting agency so that I may obtain a complete disclosure of the nature and scope of the investigation. __________Initials By my signature and initials placed below, I promise that the information provided in this employment application (and accompanying resume, if any) is true and complete, and I understand that any false information or significant omissions may disqualify me from further consideration for employment, and may be justification for my dismissal from employment, if discovered at a later date. I agree to immediately notify the company if I should be convicted of a felony, or any crime involving dishonesty or a breach of trust while my job application is pending, or during my period of employment, if hired. __________Initials
I give permission for a complete pre-placement physical examination and psychological tests and interview, if appropriate for the position to which I am applying, including a drug screening exam and x-rays, and I consent to the release to the company of any and all medical information, as may be deemed necessary by, the company in judging my capability to do the work for which I am applying. __________Initials
Date:________________________
Signed: _____________________________________________
THIS APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT WILL REMAIN ON FILE FOR 24 WEEKS.
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