Please click here for a downloadable PDF version of this position announcement.
Release Date: March 26, 2021
Pay: Starting at $30,988.62
Closing Date: April 16, 2021
Contact: Audrey Kuipers
Location: Martin County
Working Title: BMP Conservation Technician
Department: Soil and Water Conservation District
POSITION PURPOSE & OBJECTIVES:
This is a technical and professional oriented position which will operate in a team environment with
personnel from the Okeechobee Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Florida Department
of Agriculture and Consumer Services Office of Agricultural Water Policy (FDACS-OAWP), as well
as other agencies and private landowners. This is a multi-county position assisting with the
coordination and implementation of the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program
and the agricultural component of the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program established by
the Florida Watershed Restoration Act.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Possess Bachelor of Science degree or actively working towards higher education in agriculture,
natural resources, natural or environmental science. Two (2) years equivalent work experience in
farming, nursery, livestock operation may be substituted.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Assist with the enrollment of eligible producers into the FDACS Best Management Practices (BMP)
program. This will entail providing technical assistance to the producer, enrolling them in the
appropriate BMP manual, and submitting/entering the necessary documentation using agency
software, in a timely manner.
Assist producers enrolled in the FDACS BMP program with the FDACS cost share program. This
involves identifying resource concerns and/or opportunities consistent with cost share priorities
within a Notice of Intent (NOI) and helping an enrolled producer complete the necessary
documentation to implement these projects. This will include guiding the enrollee through the
process, collecting necessary documentation, inspecting the cost shared practice, and submitting
the appropriate documentation to the SWCD in a timely manner (in accordance with existing
contractual agreements).
Conduct Implementation Verification site visits to determine and document status of BMP
implementation including any needed corrective actions under Rule 5M-1. Duties may include soil
sampling, nutrient data review, data collection, analysis, implementation status determination,
corrective measure determination, progress tracking, and report writing. Perform other job-related
tasks as needed or assigned.
USDA Service Center
452 Highway 98 N
Okeechobee, Florida 34972
www.okeechobeeswcd.org 863-763-3619 ext. 3
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
•Knowledge of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Office of Agricultural Water
Policy and Soil and Water Conservation District programs and functions.
•Knowledge of agricultural operations and water use.
•Skilled in completing and maintaining accurate records.
•Ability to communicate effectively.
•Ability to work indoors in an office environment and outdoors in heat, cold, wet environments.
•Ability to walk on uneven ground and in inclement weather.
•Ability to deal with the public and team members in a professional and courteous manner.
•Ability to read and draw basic maps using computer software, and to locate properties using street and
geographic maps.
•Ability to operate a computer to access and retrieve electronic information.
•Ability to operate a motor vehicle for up to four hours continuously.
•Ability to make decisions in accordance with departmental rules, regulations, and policy.
***ATTENTION CANDIDATES***
•Application must be completed application on our Indeed link.
https://www.indeedjobs.com/okeechobee-soil-and-water-conservationdistrict/_hl/en?cpref=JXWAtnzf3XWjLOi4YeVNLqyMzQ_zPWPBnkufe1WpNcA
•Work history, hours worked, and formal education must be included in your resume.
•Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, at one of our
approved sites, as a condition of employment.
SPECIAL NOTE:
Okeechobee SWCD is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not
tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities
Act, must notify the agency hiring authority. Notification to the hiring authority must be made in
advance to allow enough time to provide the accommodation.
Okeechobee SWCD supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable
suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for
Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are
encouraged to apply. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting
documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214
Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida
Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking
here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.
SUCCESS FACTORS: The individual filling this position should be detail-oriented, assertive, and
self-directed. This person should also enjoy interaction with the public and have a sincere interest
for agriculture and natural resources.
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