Conservation/Wildlife Technician

Fairfield County Ohio; Wacker Heights (OH); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District in Lancaster, Ohio seeks a Wildlife/Education Specialist to support technical functions and community education. The role includes surveys, designs, and inspections per NRCS standards, plus program support for EQIP, CRP, and related initiatives.

Responsibilities cover wildlife habitat improvements, pesticide training, and outreach efforts. A valid Ohio driver’s license is required; UI tasks include GIS basics and CAD usage.

Qualifications

• Four-year college degree or equivalent experience in natural resources or related field.
• Valid Ohio driver’s license and insurable to drive District vehicles.
• Licensure or Certification to be obtained within 2 years: Small Unmanned Aircraft System Remote Pilot Certificate.
• Certifications: Project Wet, Wild, Learning Tree.

Responsibilities

• Survey, design, inspect, and perform as-builts per NRCS standards and handbooks.
• Assist with EQIP, CRP, H2Ohio, ECP, and RCPP programs.
• Develop understanding of relevant manuals and use CAD/engineering software.
• Assist with inspections for Ohio EPA NPDES Phase II and local regs.
• Organize at least one wildlife workshop annually (pond clinic, etc.).
• Be familiar with Ohio hunting and fishing regulations.
• Act as liaison between conservation groups and events to promote habitat and education.

Skills

Wildlife management

Education outreach

Pesticide training

Community liaison

Problem solving

Education

Four-year college degree or equivalent in related field

Tools

CAD software

Engineering software

GIS basics

Job description

Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) located in Lancaster, Ohio is seeking a Wildlife/Education Specialist.

This is a full-time position with a minimum of a 4-year college degree or equivalent experience in agriculture, engineering, soil science, forestry, natural resources, environmental science, wildlife management or related field. A valid Ohio driver’s license and insurable under the District’s automobile policy is required.

Essential Functions include but are not limited to:

I. Essential Ag/Urban Technical Functions:

• Surveys, designs, layouts, inspects, and performs as-builts according to NRCS National Conservation Planning and Procedures Handbook, NRCS Standards and Specifications, and other related handbooks.
• Assistsin administering the State Pollution Abatement Program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), H2Ohio, Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), and Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).
• Develops a thorough understanding of the Engineering Field manual, the Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook, Extension 604 bulletin, and relevant Midwest Plan Service handbooks.
• Utilizes computer-aided drafting, engineering software, and modern surveying techniques to produce quality documents in an efficient manner. This may require courses offered by consultants or colleges.
• Assists with inspections of construction sites for compliance with Ohio EPA NPDES Phase II Permit and local regulations.
• Assists with inspections of infrastructure on construction sites for compliance with local regulations.
• Assists with inspections of new home construction sites for compliance with drainage, erosion, and sediment control regulations for local communities.

II. Essential Wildlife/Educational Functions

• Serve as the backup for Silviculture Pollution Abatement complaints in accordance with ODNR procedures
• Assist landowners with District's no-till seeder, and tree planter
• Complete pesticide application training for knowledge for contracted conservation partners and special projects
• Assist NRCS staff with cost-share programs, mid-contract maintenance checks and contract compliance on private land enrolled in USDA programs
• Assist county residents with food plots and wildlife habitat improvements
• Liaison between conservation groups and events to promote habitat and education
• Liaison between conservation groups and events to promote habitat and education
• Assist county residents with nuisance animal problems. Maintain list of hunters/trappers to assist landowners.
• Assist county residents with questions and concerns related to pond vegetation and fish management.
• Organize and host at least one wildlife workshop annually (pond clinic/etc.)
• Follow the ODNR-Division of Wildlife procedures for deer damage permits. Maintain the ODNR-Division of Wildlife’s database of crop damage complaints.
• Be familiar with Ohio hunting and fishing regulations

III. Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops a basic skill level for utilizing GPS/GIS technology.
• Work toward obtaining NRCS job approval authority.
• Provides ideas, suggestions, and actively participates in developing the District newsletter, articles to the newspaper, and creating topics for radio shows.
• Assists other staff in updating and reporting technical workload and creating monthly board reports.
• Participates in maintaining and developing demonstration projects sponsored by FSWCD.
• Coordinates utility locations with OUPS and with utility company representatives.
• Plans various tours and workshops (contractors workshop, etc.).
• Uses & keeps up-to-date Division of Soil & Water and Fairfield Co. approved timekeeping system for time.
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

Additional Qualifications

• Four-year college degree or equivalent experience in agricultural, engineering, soil science, forestry, wildlife management, natural resources, environmental science or related field.
• Must have a valid Ohio driver’s license and be insurable to drive District vehicles.
• Licensure or Certification required to be obtained within 2 years:
• Small Unmanned Aircraft System Remote Pilot Certificate
• Project Wet (EPA), Wild (ODNR-Division of Wildlife), & Learning Tree (ODNR-Division of Forestry)

Hazardous or Physically Demanding Working Conditions of the Position

• Occasionally performs duties in inclement or severe weather
• Occasionally works outside of normal business hours to complete fieldwork or to present programs
• Occasionally works around heavy equipment
• Occasionally deals with dissatisfied customers
• Occasionally works near/on bodies of water
• Occasionally traverses rough/muddy terrain
• Occasionally works within road right-of-way
• Occasionally applies pesticides
• Occasional heavy lifting