Definition
Under general supervision, performs technical soil and water conservation practices and techniques in a journey level capacity; performs related work as required.
The work examples and competencies listed below are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be the primary basis for position classification decisions.
Work Examples
Advises landowners on installing and maintaining soil and water conservation practices and systems within the Soil and Water Conservation District.
Plans and initiates conservation practices by making site selections, developing schedules and determining the feasibility, appropriateness, sequential order, costs and layout of practices.
Conducts preliminary field surveys in order to develop cost estimates and obtains detailed information for the design of practices; develops design computations from survey notes, determines grades, maps and measures drainage areas and completes bench level surveys as required.
Oversees contractor construction of conservation practices and inspects completed practices for compliance to Soil Conservation Service specifications.
Assists in gathering planning data including physical resources and existing conservation practices for farms in preparation of conservation plans by the District Conservationist.
Assists in training new staff including state or federal technical staff, entry-level federal soil conservationists and student interns.
- Prepares various records and reports as directed by the District Conservationist.
Competencies Required
Knowledge of policies, procedures and eligibility standards associated with district soil and water conservation programs.
Knowledge of conservation practices and systems including terraces, contour lines, tile drainage, windbreaks, strip cropping and crop rotation.
Knowledge of engineering survey techniques as applied to designing and implementing conservation practices.
Knowledge of mathematics (including algebra and plane geometry) as applied to the survey, design and layout of conservation practices.
Ability to collect and analyze field data in relation to designing and implementing conservation practices.
Ability to use and maintain a variety of field surveying equipment.
Ability to work out of doors under all types of weather conditions.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, contractors and landowners.
- Displays high standards of ethical conduct. Exhibits honesty and integrity. Refrains from theft-related, dishonest or unethical behavior.
Works and communicates with internal and external clients and customers to meet their needs in a polite, courteous, and cooperative manner. Committed to quality service.
Displays a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently. Works with minimal supervision. Demonstrates responsible behavior and attention to detail.
Responds appropriately to supervision. Makes an effort to follow policy and cooperate with supervisors.
Aligns behavior with the needs, priorities and goals of the organization.
Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity. Fosters commitment and team spirit.
- Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information. Listens to others and responds appropriately.
Education, Experience, and Special Requirements
Thirty months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience in engineering field survey work;
OR
an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting thirty semester hours of course work in civil engineering or engineering survey for twelve months of the required experience with a maximum substitution of thirty months;
OR
employees with current continuous experience in the State executive branch service that includes the equivalent of eighteen months as a Soil Conservation Technician 1 shall be considered as qualifying.