District Support Specialist

State of Indiana; Fort Wayne (IN); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Indiana is seeking a District Support Specialist to serve soil and water conservation districts in the northeast region. The role may require early morning and evening travel to meetings across the region, with remote work possible after an initial six months in a district office.

Strong collaboration and problem-solving skills are essential. Candidates should value service, adaptability, and integrity, and be prepared for diverse assignments within local and regional boundaries.

Qualifications

• Specialized knowledge of erosion and sediment control and water quality.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and prioritization abilities.
• Ability to prepare and present educational materials.
• Knowledge of state and federal natural resource laws.
• Advanced knowledge of divisional policies and objectives.
• Knowledge of SWCD structure and mission.

Responsibilities

• Encourage and facilitate multi-SWCD program efforts.
• Develop and deliver regional educational programs on soil erosion and water quality.
• Train SWCD supervisors and employees to strengthen district capacity.
• Provide guidance on records, meetings, planning and finances.
• Lead in assessing local soil and water conservation needs and long-range plans.
• Identify opportunities to expand district capacity and pilot projects.
• Work with county officials to increase local funding for staffing.
• Develop mutual agreements, contracts for services and grants.
• Create tools to document conservation value and community impact.
• Support ICP Strategic Plan implementation with SWCDs.
• Travel to inspect and report at client sites.

Skills

Erosion control knowledge

Oral and written communication

Organizational skills

Educational materials development

Knowledge of laws and regulations

SWCD knowledge

Job description

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About The Division Of Soil Conservation

The Division of Soil Conservation assists farmers in applying advanced agronomic technologies while improving health and water quality. We are members of the Indiana Conservation Partnership, providing technical, financial, and educational assistance to implement economically and environmentally compatible land and water stewardship decisions, practices, and technologies.

Role Overview

This incumbent will serve soil and water conservation districts in the northeast region of the state. The counties included in this area are: Elkhart, LaGrange, Steuben, Kosciusko, Noble, DeKalb, Whitley, Allen, Miami, Wabash, Huntington, Wells, Adams, and Blackford. This incumbent may be asked to spend the first 6 months in a soil and water conservation district office to promote relationship-building. After the first 6 months, this candidate will be eligible for remote work. It is preferred that candidates live within the defined coverage area. Please note that the city listed in the job posting does not represent or determine the required office location for the candidate.

We are looking for candidates who value service, collaboration, adaptability, and integrity.

This role requires significant interaction with external partners and other District Support Specialist team members. Problem-solving is a large component of carrying out this role.

This position will require early morning and evening travel to attend meetings across the region and other locations, such as central Indiana. This may result in deviation from the 7.5-hours-per-day work schedule.

Salary

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $53,222.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience. Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.

A Day In The Life

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Encourage and facilitate multi-SWCD program efforts.
• Work with districts and conservation partners in the development of effective regional educational programs regarding the impact of soil erosion on soil productivity, off-site sedimentation damage and water quality, with emphasis on effective conservation implantation to reduce adverse effects.
• Develop, conduct, and/or arrange for professional training for SWCD supervisors and employees to strengthen district(s) capacity for fulfilling their legislative mandates and improving soil, water and related natural resource conditions in their respective communities.
• Provide administrative guidance to SWCDs concerning records, annual meetings, program planning, supervisor elections and appointments, personnel and financial management, and compliance with applicable federal or state laws or administrative code requirements.
• Provide leadership to SWCDs and other conservation partners for the assessment of local soil and water conservation issues and needs and in formulating long range business plans and annual program plans to address local and regional soil and water conservation issues and needs.
• Help identify opportunities for expanding district capacity and provide leadership in developing and carrying pilot projects with districts to demonstrate those opportunities.
• Work with districts and their respective county officials to increase local funding for staffing and other resources needed to carry out effective local conservation programs and assist districts in establishing new partners to advance their local conservation programs.
• Assist districts in developing mutual agreements, contracts for services, grants and other nontraditional sources of funding to support their expanding responsibilities to serve as the local clearinghouse for conservation assistance as well as increase technical assistance to land users.
• Develop tools for districts to use to document the value of conservation services provided by districts and their partners as well as the economic and societal benefits to their respective counties.
• Assist DSC leadership in implementation of ICP Strategic Plan, coordinating SWCD support for Strategic Plan success and increasing conservation implementation for local landowners.
• Essential functions of this position require travel on most workdays to inspect, audit, examine, survey, or investigate clients, customers, or other regulated entities and write reports at those sites or employee's home. Employee reports to the agency’s office for occasional meetings or events. Number and timing of work hours may vary daily or weekly to accommodate operational needs and staffing concerns at the client’s or customer’s worksite, minimize expenditures for repeated visits to complete the work, and allocate resources to complete assigned work effectively.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

What You'll Need For Success

Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

• Specialized knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of erosion and sediment control and related water quality considerations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize variable workload.
• Ability to prepare and present educational/informational materials to various types of audiences.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to natural resource issues.
• Advanced knowledge of divisional and departmental policies, procedures and objectives.
• Knowledge of SWCD legal structure, functionality, and mission.

A Degree Is Not Required.

Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports

This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Benefits Of Employment With The State Of Indiana

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Referral Bonus program
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [e-mail] .