Help King County farmers and landowners become stewards of their land and support salmon recovery in King County. Work with each client to promote the sustainable use of natural resources through responsible stewardship. Make a difference by working in a small office focused on getting conservation improvements on the ground through education, planning, implementation, and financial incentives.

Scope of Responsibility

The Resource Specialist reports to the Shorelines and Riparian Habitat Program Manager and provides technical services to farmers and landowners to improve natural resource stewardship and promote water quality and wildlife habitat enhancement activities. The responsibilities of this position include working collaboratively with the Shoreline & Riparian Habitat Improvement Team to provide technical services to rural agricultural landowners with freshwater aquatic resources and coordinating the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a joint federal and state funded program that restores streamside habitat for salmon and protects that habitat for 10-15 years. The program provides planning, cost-share and oversight for riparian buffer installation as well as follow-up maintenance for five years after planting to assure success. The program also compensates landowners with an annual rental payment for allowing their land to be used for fish and wildlife improvements and offers a monetary bonus just for signing up.

This position requires an individual with strong knowledge of and experience with riparian ecology and habitat restoration, in combination with a passion to help farmers and landowners fulfill their stewardship goals. We want someone who believes in earning public trust every day and proves that government can, and must, provide high quality customer service.

Technical service responsibilities include conducting site-specific resource assessments and evaluations in order to develop riparian buffer enhancement plans and associated best management practice prescriptions; coordinating with federal and state partners on funding CREP plans; supporting landowners on CREP applications, contracting, project implementation and maintenance; and overseeing standards compliance on vegetation management, riparian enhancement, livestock exclusion, off-channel watering, and associated practice maintenance.

This position will join a growing Conservation District team of mission-oriented staff and will focus on providing applied conservation technical assistance and on-the-ground restoration to landowners and farmers. The ideal candidate for this position has a passion for helping landowners with their stewardship goals and is enthusiastic about salmon recovery and promoting incentive-based conservation programs. The candidate must be proactive in building relationships by supporting the development and implementation of public/ private partnerships and possess strong written and verbal communication skills, easily and meaningfully engage others, embrace diversity and equity, and collaborate across teams of staff, interns, volunteers and contractors to achieve goals and objectives.

Each employee at the Conservation District is encouraged to seek continued learning opportunities, develop their individual technical knowledge, and explore strategies for how conservation practices and services may be improved. The Resource Specialist will be trained in and expected to utilize the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Nine Step Conservation Planning Process.

Essential Job Duties

• Market the KCD Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to the agricultural community within King County to identify ready and willing landowners.
• Develop riparian buffer enhancement plans and manage riparian buffer project implementation. Activities include assisting landowners with CREP sign-up; coordinating CREP plan review with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Snohomish County Farm Service Agency (FSA), and the Pierce County Farm Service Agency; supporting landowners with CREP applications, cost-share contract management, and project implementation.
• Coordinate maintenance and monitoring of installed projects. Activities include coordinating and inspecting biannual weed control with maintenance contractors for 5 years following implementation; completing Annual Status Reviews for active projects and submitting reports to FSA; evaluating the need for adaptive management and coordinating work with contractors.
• Support and/or coordinate landowner management of contractors hired to implement KCD CREP plans to ensure compliance with District planned practices, FSA policy, and NRCS practice standards. Activities include inspecting practice installation, reviewing contractor invoices, and tracking landowner contractor payments and reimbursements.
• Manage the CREP grant and prepare applications for additional funding to support CREP related strategic/special projects. Activities include maintaining all grant activity records, preparing cost-share contract reconciliations, preparing grant invoice vouchers; and preparing grant applications for new funding as needed and time permitting.
• Manage and coordinate project data entry into the Washington State Conservation Commission (WSCC) Conservation Projects Data System (CPDS).
• Manage program budgets and program activities to meet calendar year work plan objectives.
• Develop and support District partnerships with other entities, agencies, organizations and groups involved in watershed restoration activities. Work collaboratively with a diverse population, using educational concepts and values along with persuasive skills to present information to non-technical audiences.
• Share a vision and passion for natural resource management and conservation practices.
• Continue to improve professional skills by attending training sessions, workshops, working with mentors and coaches, and other methods as identified in a professional development plan.

This list of duties is intended as an illustration of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the responsibilities of the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (B. A./ B. S.) in natural/ environmental science, agriculture, agronomy, environmental planning, or closely related technical/scientific/natural resources field or a BA/BS from an accredited institution in combination with experience in natural resource management as described above, OR
• An associate degree in natural resource management from an accredited institution in combination with 2 years direct experience in natural resource management as described above.

AND

• Work Experience, Resource Specialist II – A minimum of 4 years of professional natural resource management experience is required in terrestrial / plant ecology, botany, wetland science, upland or aquatic habitat restoration or within a government, corporate or other post-secondary training environment, or a combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Work Experience, Senior Resource Specialist – A minimum of 8 years of professional natural resource management experience is required in terrestrial / plant ecology, botany, wetland science, upland or aquatic habitat restoration or within a government, corporate or other post-secondary training environment, or a combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. A minimum of two years of directly related professional experience required. A master’s degree in closely related field may substitute for one year of related work experience.
• Experience designing and coordinating aquatic area enhancement projects. Experience with stream and wetland restoration techniques, invasive species management, native plant species, and uses of native plants to enhance Pacific Northwest aquatic and upland habitat.
• Awareness/ understanding of farmer and landowner conservation interests, local natural resource concerns, and conservation practices associated with livestock management and crop production, regulations/ permits associated with farming activities, and approaches to promoting voluntary conservation.
• Licensed to operate a motor vehicle in the State of Washington or can obtain a valid Washington State Driver’s License.
• Proficiency with computers to write reports, track progress, and prepare and record field and technical data using Microsoft Office Suite (MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint).

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Experience designing and coordinating aquatic area enhancement projects to meet NRCS standards.
• Knowledge of Puget Sound watersheds, common rural land use practices, and the resource management issues and challenges facing the region.
• Knowledge or understanding of the biology of local fish species, and planning, designing, installing fish enhancement projects.
• Knowledge or understanding of physical stream processes (e.g. hydraulics, channel configuration, geomorphology, etc.).
• Knowledge or understanding of forest health or upland habitat management principles.
• Currently hold or can obtain a valid Washington State Driver’s License.
• Currently hold or can obtain a WSDA Pesticide Applicators Permit.
• Use computers to write reports, track work products, prepare and record field and technical data. Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite software programs and GIS software. Knowledge of and rudimentary use of CAD programs preferred.
• Working knowledge of local, state and federal environmental regulatory programs and resource conservation priorities, and ability to apply that knowledge to developing and implementing resource conservation programs and/or the design and permitting of water quality protection and enhancement, and/or forest health management, and/or freshwater or marine enhancement projects.

Essential Job Functions

• Work under tight deadlines and manage conflicting demands while successfully operating in a dynamic work environment with minimal direction from supervisor
• Share a vision and passion for natural resource management and conservation practices with diverse populations, using educational concepts and values along with persuasive skills
• Communicate effectively and work collaboratively with District staff, interns, private landowners, and other customers and stakeholders to produce high quality, cost-effective work products
• Present program information in public settings and meetings; prepare clear, concise and informative written documents and reports; maintain thorough and organized records
• Write reports, track work progress, prepare and record program/project data and records
• Travel to various locations throughout King County and occasionally throughout the state
• Work occasional weekend and weekday evening events
• Apply appropriate safety practices in the field and in the office
• Perform physical work in all weather conditions
• Lift 40 pounds

Compensation

$49,346-$74,018, Depending on Qualifications

This is a grant-funded full-time position, 40 hours per week.

Benefits

KCD offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid vacation and holidays, medical and dental, a nominal life insurance policy with the option to increase coverage at employee’s expense, support for trainings, and participation in the State of Washington Retirement System (PERS).

To learn more, visit KCD’s website at www.kingcd.org