Conservation Technician I

WCA: Wisconsin Counties Association; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 37,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Wisconsin Counties Association is seeking an enthusiastic Land Use/Conservation Technician I/II to perform field inspections and assist with permit reviews in a county environment. You will work under supervision to ensure compliance with soil, water, and land use standards, with a focus on erosion control and stormwater practices.

The role includes maintaining records, responding to public inquiries, and assisting with GIS-related tasks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in land use planning, regional planning, conservation/environmental science, soil science, geology, civil engineering, agronomy, biology, water resources conservation, agricultural engineering or related field.
• Minimum of six (6) months practical work experience (which may be obtained through an internship).

Responsibilities

• Review permit applications for conformance with County ordinances and BMP standards.
• Inspect erosion control and stormwater practices on farmland and construction sites; prepare inspection reports.
• Assist in review and comment on revisions to County plans and ordinances.
• Respond to customer inquiries and provide written responses to landowners.

Skills

Field inspections

Public inquiries handling

Data entry

GIS coordination

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in land use planning or related field

Tools

AutoCAD

ArcGIS

Job description

Additional Conservation Functions Tech I

Application Deadline: 2026-09-16

Job Type: County

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY:
This position performs skilled technical field work reviewing erosion control and stormwater practices for Land Use and Land and Water Conservation Divisions for residential, commercial and agricultural land uses; and field inspections of Nutrient Management Plans and farmland preservation plans; maintains electronic records and files; and responds to the public regarding division programs and information. Work is performed under the direction of the Land Use Planner or Conservation Planner and supervision of the Land Use Administrator or Land and Water Conservation Administrator. Specific assignment may be made to this position with a primary focus on Land Use, Land and Water Conservation, Code Enforcement, or a varied combination of assignments.
The position will primarily report to the Baldwin location; however, the assigned work location may vary between the Baldwin and Hudson locations based on workload and operational needs.

Essential Functions

• Informs development professionals, local officials, agricultural producers, and the general public about the standards and procedures required by County ordinances.


• Reviews permit applications for conformance with the applicable standards and procedures of County ordinances and conservation Best Management Practices (BMPs) standards.


• Inspection of erosion control and stormwater management practices on agricultural land, plats, and construction sites; prepares and files inspection reports and determines site compliance.


• Assists planners, administrator, consultants, and other County staff with review and comment on proposed revisions to County plans and ordinances.


• Researches customer inquiries in relation to compliance with County ordinances as assigned by Supervisors and provides written responses to landowners.


• Assists Planners with field surveys and project work related to best management practices (BMPs)


• Assists in the maintenance of department permit files, databases, and geographic information systems for the administration of County land use ordinances.


• Conducts research and compiles information for other members of staff to streamline projects and workloads.


• Assists other governmental entities and municipalities for all types of land use and conservation questions.


• Tracks activities and practices in permitting software and Geographic Information System coordinating with GIS Analyst on a regular basis.


• Participates in training and continuing educating to maintain required certifications and develop professionally.


• Other duties as assigned or apparent.

Additional Code Enforcement Functions

• Administer and enforce County ordinances, including comprehensive land use (zoning), sanitary, subdivision, shoreland, telecommunication towers, animal storage, floodplain, and the St Croix Riverway regulations.


• Conducts code enforcement actions; receives complaints of potential ordinance violations; inspects alleged violation sites; documents conditions observed; determines if conditions are in compliance with code; provides corrective outreach to encourage compliance; issues orders for correction of ordinance code violations; verifies accomplishment of corrections; initiates appropriate enforcement action in cases of non-compliance; issues violation notices and citations as warranted.

Tech I

• Provides information and assistance to landowners regarding soil and water conservation programs; assist landowners with implementing conservation plan requirements; serves as a resource for other agencies regarding soil and water conservation.


• Conducts inspections to assure compliance with conservation and agricultural storm water and erosion control plans and practices and program requirements pertaining to Farmland Preservation, Animal Waste Ordinance and NR 151 compliance utilizing SNAP PLUS software.


• Assists with and generates reports from annual transect survey for land use changes and cropping practices.


• Promotes conservation through informational and educational programs that include field days, tours, training workshops, school-age programs, and presentations.


• Assists with review of NR 151 compliance, Nutrient Management Plans and Farmland Preservation Program by conducting field visits and reviewing self-certification submittals.


• Assists with field surveys and production of engineered plans for best management practices (BMPs) utilizing AutoCAD software and survey equipment.

Tech II

• Lead staff for the Farmland Preservation Program (FPP) providing assistance to enrolled and interested landowners regarding the program and its NR151 compliance requirements and serves as a resource for other agencies regarding FPP within St. Croix County.


• Performs surveys and produces engineered plans for best management practices (BMPs) utilizing AutoCAD software, survey equipment, and ArcGIS. Obtains engineering job approval from Department of Ag Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)


• Calculate and reports phosphorous and other pollutant reduction numbers for implemented projects using computer modeling (STEPL).


• Conducts and maintains the County Annual transect survey to monitor crops, tillage, cover crops, and other ag activities and land use changes.


• Works with landowners to complete cost share projects such as nutrient management plans and well abandonments using County cost-share funds.


• Conducts site response and reporting related to reported spills and reported complaints in accordance to the County Spill Response Plan.


• Assists with nitrate and groundwater monitoring programs conducted by the county; reports and inspects new and existing sinkholes for groundwater protection.

Minimum Qualifications

Land Use/Conservation Technician I

• Bachelor’s Degree in land use planning, regional planning, conservation/environmental science, soil science, geology, civil engineering, agronomy, biology, water resources conservation, agricultural engineering or related field. Law enforcement or Criminal Justice degrees will be considered for Code Enforcement assignment.


• Minimum of six (6) months practical work experience (which may be obtained through an internship).

Land Use/Conservation Technician II

• Meets minimum education of Land Use/Conservation Technician I.


• Two (2) years’ experience working in land use, land and water conservation, or similarly related role that performs Land Use/Conservation Technician I duties.


• Demonstrated mastery of Land Use/Conservation Technician I core responsibilities, including the ability to independently conduct field inspections, review permits and plans, prepare technical documentation, and effectively communicate ordinance requirements with minimal supervision.


• Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (POWTS) Inspector Certification must be obtained within six (6) months of hire.


• Wisconsin or Minnesota Soil Erosion Control Inspector Certification must be obtained within six (6) months of hire.


• Certified Soil Tester license must be obtained within one (1) year of hire (Land Use Division only).


• Core Competency Certificate in Soils, Water Quality and Conservation Planning from a technical training and certification program (Conservation Division only).

Starting pay is determined within the expected hiring range based on qualifications, directly related experience, and internal equity. Employees may advance through the full salary range in accordance with County policy.
Expected Hiring Range: $26.57 – $30.07/hour
Full Salary Range: $26.57 – $37.03/hour
Department: Community Development
FTE: 1.0

St. Croix County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to an individual’s race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, disability, marital status, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.

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