Natural Resources Engineer 1

Who We Are

ODA helps Ohioans in many ways including: supporting agriculture, protecting consumers, safeguarding plants and animals, and conserving natural resources. As a cabinet-level agency, we answer to the Governor, and we get a lot of stuff done! Ohio’s food and agriculture industry is huge, contributing $124 billion to the economy and employing one in eight people. This success starts on the farm, but these aren’t your great grandpa’s farms! They may have started way back when, but many of Ohio’s more than 70,000 farms are modern, state-of-the-art operations that use technology to maximize production to feed our growing population.

ODA is located in Reynoldsburg on a beautiful, 158-acre campus. Parking is free and so are the amazing connections you will make with professionals who are known as the best in their field.

What You’ll Do

You don’t have to know a lot about agriculture, you’ll learn that on the job! You just have to have a willingness to learn and a desire to devote your skills to a greater purpose. This position is responsible for:

• Assists with the development & implementation of conservation engineering projects within the 17 county Area in northwest Ohio (Area I)
• Conducts field inspections
• Corresponds directly with private landowners (e.g., design conservation practices, reviews preliminary construction, as-built drawings, assesses impacts of structures neighboring properties)
• Contacts producers for one on one consultation & in group Settings to promote sound nutrient management practices
• Makes recommendations to supervisor
• Prepares documents, reports & correspondence
• Reviews & responds to inquiries
• Works cooperatively with NRCS and FSA to complete Farm Bill funded conservation engineering practices
• Assist Division staff in the development, organization, and instruction of training offered through the Technician Development Program across Ohio
• Assists with training of agency & organization staff working in Area I on conservation practice design, construction, and related engineering documentation
• Assist in the development and offering of training in Area I on pollution abatement rules, policies, procedures and analysis of water pollution problems, and developing Nutrient Management Plans
• Assist Division staff in the development, organization, and instruction of training offered through the Technician Development Program across Ohio
• Assists with training of agency & organization staff working in Area I on conservation practice design, construction, and related engineering documentation
• Assist in the development and offering of training in Area I on pollution abatement rules, policies, procedures and analysis of water pollution problems, and developing Nutrient Management Plans
• Coordinates with technicians in carrying out pollution abatement special projects in Area I & coordinates activities with local soil & water conservation districts staff in Area I
• Makes inspections, evaluations, prepares & maintains records, & develops reports related to pollution abatement activities for the Division of Soil & Water Resources in Area I
• Assists SWCDs in Area I in the investigation and resolution of complaints associated with violations of agricultural pollution abatement rules
• Performs other duties as assigned

 This position shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of the OCSEA Collective Bargaining Agreement.  ODA bargaining unit members have selection rights before non-bargaining unit members.  All other applications will only be considered if an internal bargaining unit applicant is not selected for this position.

We Support Diversity and Inclusion

ODA values its internal diversity and pledges to cultivate an inclusive and engaging environment for all employees where differences are embraced and celebrated. The agency commits to building a workforce that champions the advancement of DEI principles and initiatives. The values on which these efforts are founded are: respect, empathy, transparency, equality, and equal access.

What’s in it for you

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

• Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the Ohio Med PPO plan. 

Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance

• Dental, vision and basic life insurance premiums are free after one year of continuous service.

Time Away From Work and Work/Life Balance

• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave 
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth/Adoption leave

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

• OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio 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.

Maternity Benefits

• Expanded maternity health care benefits available to state employees enrolled in the Ohio Med PPO and Ohio Med NN (narrow network) medical plan options. Several prenatal, childbirth, and post-childbirth services are  provided at no out-of-pocket cost to employees utilizing network providers.
• Examples of services now covered by network providers at 100% include:
• Prenatal care, including physician visits and examinations.
• Home health care services designated as maternity care (for expectant members on bed rest).
• Inpatient claims for all types of delivery.
• Inpatient NICU claims, from birth through discharge.
• Postpartum care, including office visits for follow-up, and procedures/treatments directly related to maternity.

• Medications prescribed for both antepartum and postpartum conditions (e.g., morning sickness, postpartum depression). Medical services provided by non-network providers will be processed at the applicable coinsurance, deductible, and out-of-pocket limits.
• Prescription drugs that are directly related to maternity care are covered with no copay. The State of Ohio has collaborated with the prescription drug third-party administrator (OptumRx) to provide a list of covered medications that can be approved for zero copay via prior authorization from providers.

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.

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.

Engineering degree from recognized school or college which has been accredited by accreditation board for engineering & technology or that has been evaluated by National Council of Examiners for Engineering & Surveying (NCEES) Credentials Evaluations as meeting the NCEES Engineering Education Standard.

If you require an accommodation for the interview process or the position, please notify the assigned recruiter.

Training & Development Required to Remain in Classification After Employment:
Must test & pass Fundamental of Engineering (FE) exam & be issued valid Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certificate by State Licensing Board within 180 days of start date.

Unusual Working Conditions:
May be exposed to inclement weather & unsafe conditions during inspections of projects to include walking long and short distances, climbing & navigating rough terrain, steep slopes & embankments & spillways & ladders while carrying needed equipment.

For Questions Regarding This Posting Please Contact:
Paul Hengstenberg
Paul.Hengstenberg@agri.ohio.gov

The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

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.