Department: Soil and Water Conservation District

FILLMORE SWCD

JOB DESCRIPTION

Conservation Technician Intern

Department: Soil and Water Conservation District

Job Title of Supervisor: District Administrator

GENERAL PURPOSE OF JOB

The Conservation Technician Intern performs a variety of duties that support the mission of the SWCD. The Intern will coordinate the development and design of web pages about SWCD and NRCS conservation practices and programs for the education of Fillmore County agricultural producers and landowners. The Intern will provide assistance with water quality sample collection and analysis for the assessment of streams and aquifers in Fillmore County. Assistance will also be provided to technical staff with survey and design of conservation practices.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

FREQUENCY

Develops and designs web pages about no till and cover crop practices Daily 70%

and other related topics that are on or linked to the Fillmore SWCD website.

Organizes existing information (pictures, taped interviews, etc.) along with

gathering new information for testimonials, graphics, and links for the

web pages in cooperation with SWCD and NRCS staff.

Assists with water quality sample collection and analysis for assessing streams Daily 20%

and aquifers, edge of field monitoring, and evaluating Best Management

Practice (BMP) effectiveness, as well as assisting with monitoring equipment

maintenance, data collection and management, and GIS data and maps. Hours

may include nights and weekends.

Provides assistance to technical staff with survey and design of conservation Varies 5%

practices for landowners for the reduction of soil erosion, planting native grasses,

wetland management and restoration, crop rotation, tillage, contour strips, and

other district programs. Includes assisting with site visits/assessments, survey,

design, plans, construction inspections, reporting and follow up compliance checks.

Performs other duties that are of similar nature or level as needed. Varies 5%

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Applicant should be currently enrolled and have completed a minimum of two years of post-secondary education in agriculture, natural resources management, environmental studies, or a related area of study.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES

·  Class D Driver’s License (required)

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES (position requirements at entry)

Knowledge of:

·  Web page software applications:

·  General farming practices;

·  Natural resource management;

·  Water quality monitoring procedures, equipment, and data management (preferred but not required);

·  Computer software applications: word processing and data management (Microsoft Office), GIS (ArcView)

REQUIRED SKILLS (position requirements at entry)

·  Ability to operate equipment and machinery requiring simple but continuous adjustments, such as computer keyboards, monitoring equipment, survey equipment, farm equipment, vehicles, and other equipment as necessary;

·  Ability to read and interpret documents such as operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals, safety rules, regulations, guidelines, policies,

·  Ability to write effectively, such as descriptive essays, web page content, reports and correspondence;

·  Ability to speak effectively before coworkers and public groups;

·  Ability to apply concepts of basic math, algebra and geometry;

·  Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee frequently is required to sit, walk, stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, and kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; high, precarious places; and extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

CLASSIFICATION HISTORY

Prepared By: Donna Rasmussen, District Administrator

Prepared Date: 2/10

Revised by SWCD Date:

Approved by SWCD Date:

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