2027 Land & Water Resource Technician - LCFM

Chippewa County, WI; Chippewa Falls (WI); On-site; USD 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Chippewa County invites applications for a seasonal, limited-term Land & Water Resource Technician (LWSP) internship. The position supports information, education and public outreach for the Lake Wissota Stewardship Project, with a commitment of up to 975 hours over 6–7 months (May–November 2027).

Role functions include assisting with grant applications, site assessments for conservation practices, GIS data maintenance, and coordination with volunteers and partner agencies.

Qualifications

• Pursuing or recent graduate in Natural Resources or related field.
• ArcPro GIS mapping software knowledge.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Knowledge of agricultural field operations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist LWSP information, outreach and grant applications and coordinate education activities.
• Coordinate LWSP meetings and events and engage community partners.
• Recruit landowners and perform site assessments to promote conservation practices.
• Maintain GIS records, generate reports and monitor land-use changes.
• Support water sampling and monitoring programs including CLMN and WAV initiatives.

Skills

Driver's license

GIS mapping

Microsoft Office

Education

Pursuing degree in Natural Resources or related field

Tools

ArcPro GIS

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The focus of the Land & Water Resource Technician Lake Wissota Stewardship Project (LWSP) includes providing information, education and public outreach for the LWSP. This is a limited-term position and requires up to 40 hours per week during a period of 6-7 months for a commitment of 975 hours.

This position is seasonal, non-recurring, and limited term which requires up to 40 hours per week during a 6-7 month period, May – November 2027 for a commitment of 975 hours.

Application Deadline: Monday, September 14th, 2026 at 4:30 PM.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties described below are indicative of what the Land & Water Resource Technician (LWSP) might be asked to perform. This job description is to incorporate any county ordinances created for the position of Land & Water Resource Technician (LWSP). This is not an exhaustive list of job responsibilities and, therefore, other duties may be assigned.

Administrative Functions:

• This is an internship position with the Chippewa County LCFM Department.
• Assists and provides information, education and public outreach toward the implementation of the LWSP
• Arranges and participates in LWSP monthly meetings
• Assists with the development of Grant Applications for contracted practices
• Recruits landowners and performs site assessments, as required to encourage the installation of conservation practices
• Works with land trusts, nonprofit conservation organizations, and sportsman’s groups.
• Initiates discussions regarding conservation easements with private landowners.
• Assists staff with whole farm evaluations to determine the extent of compliance with each agricultural nonpoint performance standard and prohibition, as written in NR 151; prepares status reports; and reviews with landowners to create an implementation plan.
• Maintains and updates select data sets and Geographical Information System (GIS) based resource inventories as needed to maintain County GIS records. Monitors changes in land use and environmental conditions. Prepares related reports, data and graphics.
• Maintain, implement, and monitor Fixed Point Photo Station sites around Lake Wissota.
• Coordinate with volunteers and update Dock Based Monitoring maps with volunteer provided data.
• Assists with water sampling for the Citizen Led Monitoring Network (CLMN), which includes clarity, nutrient, and AIS monitoring on Lake Wissota.
• Assists with Water Action Volunteers (WAV) stream monitoring, which includes clarity, temperature, streamflow, dissolved oxygen, and macroinvertebrate surveys.
• Assists in the maintenance of the weather/soil monitoring stations; monitors data collection and provides to public as needed.
• Assists with agricultural research regarding nutrient and soil losses to surface and groundwater.

Community Relations Functions:

• Develops and maintains a mailing list for potential applicants in LWSP
• Creates and/or updates the LWSP Display Board
• Participates in LWSP outreach events including but not limited to, Tree Planting; Lake Wissota Improvement and Protection Association Annual Picnic; Northern Wisconsin State Fair; Fall Watershed Tour and Annual Meetings, Red Cedar Conference
• Assist in Producer Led Watershed meetings and outreach events
• County Liaison with WI DNR for watershed monitoring projects.

Customers:

• General Public
• Lake Associations
• Contractors
• Engineers
• Land Developers
• Townships
• Various County Departments

Team Members:

• Department of Land Conservation & Forest Management staff
• Various County Departments
• Cooperating agency staff members (DNR, DATCP, UWEX, NRCS, FSA) who provide resource management services under contract or MOU with the Land and Water Conservation Division.
• Cooperating Co. Dept. staff members (Highway, Planning and Zoning, Public Health, Emergency Management) who provide services under contract, MOU, or joint working agreements with the Land and Water Conservation Division.
• Individual volunteers and members of 501(c)(3) conservation organizations that provide services to the Land and Water Conservation Division, including but not limited to Beaver Creek Reserve; Pheasants Forever; and Kamp Kenwood

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required at the time of hire or for the continuation of employment.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Must be currently enrolled in or a recent graduate of a higher education institution pursuing a degree in Natural Resources, with emphasis in physical earth science, water resource management, or other related course of study.
• Knowledge of Geographical Information System mapping software (ArcPro preferred.)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) required.
• A valid driver’s license required.
• Knowledge of agricultural field operations (tillage, planting, etc.) preferred.