Pike County Agriculture Specialist

This position is posted on behalf of Pike County SWCD. Applications will be shared with the SWCD office as they are received.

Competitive Salary: $20.00 - $25.00 / hour; Based on Qualifications

Who We Are:

Agriculture is the heart of it all in Ohio!

The Pike Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) was formed on April 6, 1949. The District is a local unit of government and legal subdivision of the State of Ohio. Pike SWCD was organized for the purpose of developing a program for the conservation of soil and water resources. It's governed by a board of supervisors that is composed of five local individuals elected by landowners and residents of Pike County. 

The mission of the Pike Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) is to provide leadership and service that enables Pike County landowners and occupiers to conserve, protect, and enhance soil, water, and related resources.

What You’ll Do:

The Pike SWCD is in search of enthusiastic candidates for a full-time permanent Agriculture Specialist. This position will help to bring the Pike Soil and Water Conservation District to the forefront of agriculture in Pike County. The primary responsibilities include assisting landowners with conservation and natural resource technical assistance, assisting with educational/outreach aspects of agriculture and natural resource conservation management and promoting the Pike Soil and Water Conservation programs by maintaining and improving partnerships and working relationships within the agricultural community.

The Agriculture Specialist operates under the direct responsibility of the Board of Supervisors with daily supervision and guidance of the District Administrator.

Technical Assistance: 80%

• Technical assistance will be performed in compliance with the technical standards of the Pike SWCD, ODA-SWC, and NRCS.
• Provide information and technical support to cooperators, agencies, and organizations coordinating their efforts with the District.
• Work with local NRCS staff to implement conservation planning and programming, including conducting site visits, surveys, field notes, etc. as needed.
• Aid NRCS staff in preparing USDA conservation plans/contracts as directed through the Farm Bill to benefit NRCS Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation Activities, including but not limited to the following categories: soil health, nitrogen management, livestock partnership, grazing and pasture, agroforestry, forestry and wildlife habitat, energy, combustion and electricity efficiency and wetlands.
• Become proficient in using surveying tools, soil investigations and preparing designs.
• Promote soil fertility testing and aid residence in understanding the results.
• Become proficient in aerial photography and the soil survey interpretation to assist landowners as needed.
• Assist landowners by providing them technical information on available USDA and ODA programs as requested.
• Respond to pollution complaints in accordance with ODA’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Agricultural Pollution Abatement Program (APAP).
• Assist in program outreach, planning and implementation of H2Ohio and related programs; including but not limited to OACI, Ohio ID and OhioPays.
• Attend appropriate training classes as directed by the Board of Supervisors, District Administrator and NRCS staff such as the Technical Development Program (TDP) and NRCS training opportunities when available.
• Respond to technical assistance requests for drainage, erosion, ponds, and natural resources conservation management as it related to agricultural practices.
• Maintain accurate records of aspects of assistance.
• Create and assist with Nutrient Management Plans.
• Facilitate and participate in agricultural education programming, networking and coordination, assist with hosting Local Work Group Meetings.
• Assist with program planning and implementation of Scioto CREP as directed by partner agencies.
• Coordinate the District’s equipment rental program.
• Perform preventative maintenance on all District equipment.
• Other duties and responsibilities as directed by the Board of Supervisors and Administrator.

Administrative Duties and Responsibilities: 20%

• Assists the Board of Supervisors in gathering and assembling information determining priorities of work and developing strategies for programs in cooperation with ODA-Soil and Water Conservation, NRCS, and other agencies.
• Provide administrative assistance to USDA, NRCS on implementing Farm Bill conservation programs.
• Become familiar with the Policy and Procedure Handbook and the Personnel Employment Policy.
• Work with the Board of Supervisors and Administrator to help develop and carryout the Annual Plan of Work and the Long-Range Strategic Plan.
• Work harmoniously with fellow employees and the District Board in a continuing effort to achieve the annual and long-range goals of the District.
• Attend monthly board meetings and other special meetings as directed by the Board of Supervisors or District Administrator.
• Provide a monthly progress report to the District Administrator to be reviewed at each board meeting.
• Attend events/meetings during and after work hours as directed by the Board of Supervisors or the District Administrator to carry out the objectives of the District.
• The employee is responsible for making their own appointments and developing their weekly schedule in consultation with the District Administrator.
• Prepares, maintains, and completes records and reports as required by the SWCD, the Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission, the ODA-Soil and Water Conservation, and Natural Resources Conservation Service. Employee shall document information and assistance provided to landowners in appropriate files and in the Soil and Water recording system (Beehive) or other required system.
• Assists Board of Supervisors and District Administrator in writing appropriate grant applications and filing reports for such grants awarded.
• Other duties and responsibilities as directed by the Board of Supervisors and District Administrator.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Job Qualifications:

• Must be a US citizen or legally allowed to work in the United States.
• Valid Ohio driver’s license.
• Must have and retain reliable transportation with current motor vehicle insurance while employed.
• Must be physically capable of performing the duties and responsibilities of the position including working in adverse weather conditions.
• A bachelor’s degree in agriculture, natural resources, or science related field of study, with preference given to those with additional agricultural certifications.
• A direct working knowledge of conservation issues as they apply to soil and water.

Preferred Skills:

• Ability to communicate in a professional, accurate, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to work well within a team, to respect and support the initiative of others, to communicate in a timely and candid manner.
• Organizational and time-management skills with self-motivation.
• Basic computer skills that include Microsoft Office, knowledge of GIS a plus.
• Ability to lift at least 25 lbs.
• Availability on some weekends and evenings.

• Must agree to submit to a pre-employment drug test The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a pre-employment criminal background check (local and state).
• The selected candidate will serve a six (6) month probationary period
• The recommended candidate for this position will be required to take a drug screen as part of their pre-employment approval process as outlined in the US Department of Labor Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988. A candidate who tests positive for illegal or improperly used controlled drugs will not be hired.

What’s in it for You:

Health Benefits

• Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered in addition to dental and vision.

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

• OPERS is the retirement system for public employees. The employee contributes 10% of his/her salary towards his/her retirement.  The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee’s salary. Visit the OPERS website for more information.

Deferred Compensation

• The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit the Ohio Deferred Compensation website for more information.

Pike Soil and Water Conservation District is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.