Land Resource Specialist

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Conducts field surveys to determine site-specific resource concerns and compliance issues. Estimates soil erosion and sediment delivery for conservation planning purposes. Provides technical information and assistance to land users, which may include practice recommendations to address resource concerns. Monitors compliance with regulations and program requirements.

Conducts site investigations to determine and monitor compliance of farms with State performance standards and prohibitions and local regulations. Estimates soil erosion for regulatory planning purposes.

Reviews and analyses various county records and utilizes other methods such as geographic information systems (GIS) data and field visits to determine compliance of land users with program regulatory requirements such as NR 151 Agricultural Performance Standards and Farmland Preservation Program requirements.

Uses satellite Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment or other methods to collect specific land features, land areas and conservation practices for mapping and analysis. Chooses the correct computerized mapping tools within GIS to transfer and map locations within the GIS system. Develops customized maps of land features, resource inventories, and conservation practices; quantifies land features and inventories for further analysis; and conducts analysis of map layers to determine resource needs and trends.

Assists with the administration of the multi-agency Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) including, but not limited to: coordination of department and federal agency activities, participant application monitoring, progress reporting and tracking, map making, field surveys, and conservation practice design and installation.

Negotiates and develops cost share agreements with landowners, including, but not limited to: negotiating initial contract, determining eligibility, estimating practice cost, reviewing contract provisions, and notarizing signatures.

Primary administrator of the Farmland Preservation Program for the County including, but not limited to: utilization of database for tracking of program participation, interpretation of policies to public, signing and issuing of Certificates of Compliance, coordination of reporting with Department Of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and monitoring of compliance with soil and water conservation requirements.

Provides plan review, participation tracking in GIS geodatabase and cost-share to agricultural producers for the implementation of Nutrient Management Plans. Reviews Nutrient Management Plans to ensure compliance with 590 Nutrient Management conservation practice standard. Coordinates with crop consultants and provides annual reports to Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection for statewide plan tracking.

Provides assistance to the public on groundwater testing including distribution of self-sampling materials and explaining how to take a proper sample.

Coordinates with multiple federal, state, and local agencies on assessing compliance, program tracking and determining practices and funding sources to address resource concerns and provide program outreach.

Provides education and outreach to farmers and landowners on regulations, available programs, and program rules.

Maintains a variety of complex electronic and paper records and reports.

It is unlikely an employee will perform all the duties listed, nor is the list exhaustive in the sense it covers all the duties an employee may be required to perform. The examples are merely indicative, not restrictive.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

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.

Education and/or Experience        

Associate degree in Natural Resources, Applied Science, or related field; one (1) to two (2) years related technical work experience in natural resources, conservation, or agriculture; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Skills                   

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical data and information, professional journals, technical procedures, governmental regulations, and maps. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing; and effectively present information, and respond to questions from department personnel, employees of the County, landowners, local government officials, and the general public.

Ability to assemble, copy, record, and transcribe data and information.

Mathematical Skills                   

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Ability to interpret inferential statistical reports and/or formulation and equation data. Ability to classify, compare, compute, tabulate, categorize, differentiate, measure and/or sort data.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of internet, spreadsheet, word processing, SnapPlus and GIS mapping software.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations 

Notary Public, Certified Crop Advisor (CCA), WI Driver’s License

Other Skills and Abilities            

Knowledge of soil and water conservation practices and procedures with respect to general functions performed and, in the design, and installation of agricultural and construction site erosion control conservation practices.

Ability to acquire basic knowledge of and interpret and apply County, State and Federal rules, regulations, policies, and program requirements.

Knowledge of GPS, GIS, and legal land descriptions.

Knowledge of SnapPlus and SnapMaps software; groundwater sampling, testing and contamination; mapping and erosion modeling.

Ability to interpret aerial photographs, soil maps and transfer measurements and information.

Ability to establish and maintain effective public and working relationships.

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 sit, talk, or hear and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to walk, stand, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Regularly tours sites outside of the office. Field inspections may include climbing and working on slippery ground which requires good balance.

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 regularly exposed to outside weather conditions.  The employee may occasionally encounter individuals that may be under emotional stress.

The noise level in the inside work environment is usually quiet but may be loud in the outside work environment.