POSITION VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Pay: Starting at $30,988.62
Contact: Audrey Kuipers- 863.763.3619 Ext. 3237
Location: Osceola County
Release Date: August 19, 2020
Closing Date: September 18, 2020
Working Title: 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 BMPTS2/FSA 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.
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 on Indeed. Link is below.
•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 general public and have a sincere
interest for agriculture and natural resources.
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PDF Link to Candidate Application
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E-Verify
Okeechobee Soil and Water Conservation District hires only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers. All selected applicants are required to complete Section 1 of federal Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) and to provide identification and either proof of U.S. citizenship or proof of authorization to work in the U.S.
In addition, OSWCD uses E-Verify as part of the I-9 process to verify the work eligibility of all new hires. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9 to data from U.S Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records