Scope/Position Purpose              

The Integrated Water Program Specialist positions (2) are jointly funded positions between Central Platte Natural Resources District, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Rainwater Basin Joint Venture, Tri-Basin Natural Resources District, and Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District. This position is designed to work one-on-one with producers to identify agronomic solutions to address water quality and quantity issues, assist producers with enrollment in conservation programs, host Conservation Program Forums for agriculture industry leaders, and develop general case studies and factsheets targeted to landowners/farm operators/Agriculture Industry Leaders about different conservation programs.

Desired Qualifications

The incumbent for this position should either have a Bachelors Degree in agriculture, natural resources related field, or 10-years of experience in the agriculture industry, regardless a minimum of 5-years experience is required. This position will require an outgoing personality that can initiate conversations and meetings with producers, conservation partners, Natural Resource District Boards and staff. Work hours will be variable depending on landowner availability. This individual will need to be self-motivated and able to work both independently and as part of a team. This position will require a combination of written and oral communication skills. This individual will be responsible of development of content for print and digital communication venues. This individual will need a strong understanding of agriculture operations including, but not limited to production inputs, crop insurance, etc. An awareness of conservation programs administered by local, state, federal, and nongovernmental conservation entities will be important.   

Examples of Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Landowner Technical Assistance

§  Focused outreach with 25 landowners and/or farm manager and their agronomist annually in Natural Resource District Phase II and Phase III Groundwater Management Areas to evaluate farm operations to identify economically viable conservation practices to address water quality and quantity issues that will fit into the farm operation.

§  Identify conservation practices and potential conservation programs that would be available to assist the producers with addressing natural resource issues in their operation. 

§  Assist 5 producers with enrollment in federal, state, local and/or nongovernmental conservation programs annually. Program enrollment options will be directly tied to the opportunities identified in the farm operation assessment.

Conservation Partner Engagement

§  Coordinate annual Conservation Program Forum to provide information about conservation programs to agriculture industry leaders. Target audience will include agriculture lenders, agriculture cooperative staff, agronomists, seed dealers, implement dealers, etc.

§  Participate in the Rainwater Basin Joint Venture Private Lands Workgroup to assist with identifying conservation bottlenecks with existing conservation programs and development of solutions to help more effectively integrate conservation programs into farm operations.

§  Present quarterly updates to Natural Resource District Board of Directors about accomplishments and opportunities.

§  Monthly email progress reports to the Natural Resource District Managers and RWBJV Coordinator.

Development of Communication Materials

§  Three case studies will be developed annually. The target audience for the case studies will be landowners and/or farm managers to highlight on-farm examples of program adoption. Each case study will be focused on a single practice (i.e. buffer strips, nutrient management, wetland restoration) and highlight the economic impacts, benefits to the operation, and conservation outcomes.

§  Three fact-sheets will be developed annually. The target audience for fact-sheets will be agriculture industry leaders. These factsheets will outline program eligibility and steps for program enrollment. Factsheets will also provide information on deadlines, timelines, practice requirements, financial compensation, and necessary reporting.

Other Requirements

§  Attention to detail and excellent attendance required.

§  Ability to lift and move items weighing up to 25 pounds.

§  This position is based in Grand Island, Holdrege, and/or York, Nebraska.

§  Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.

This job description is intended to be general, may evolve over time, and is subject to periodic updating. At management’s discretion, the employee may be assigned different and/or additional duties or responsibilities.

To apply email cover letter, resume and three professional references  to vogt@cpnrd.org, deigenberg@upperbigblue.org, or jthorburn@tribasinnrd.org