Soil & Water Conservation Manager

Guilford County Government; Greensboro (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Guilford Soil & Water Conservation District seeks a District Manager to lead office operations, supervise staff, and coordinate soil and water programs across Guilford County farms and lands. You will oversee BMP design, contract checks, and conservation planning efforts in collaboration with partner agencies.

The role requires strong regulatory interpretation, effective communication, and GIS/drafting proficiency to support environmental and public health objectives in the county.

Qualifications

• Ability to work independently within established standards and guidelines.
• Ability to interpret regulations and planning manuals.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to effectively use common workplace technologies and digital tools.
• Considerable knowledge of standard practices, techniques, materials and equipment used in drafting.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership in the office for all Soil & Water District Programs and related issues, including Cost Share Programs, Jordan Lake Agriculture Rules Accounting and Compliance, Farm Preservation, and any other Soil & Water programs as needed and directed by district board.
• Provides basic supervisory and managerial tasks to oversee District staff.
• Oversees soil & water technician in the design, layout and construction supervision of Best Management Practices (BMPs); check out of completed BMPs and submit Requests for Payment; maintains technical design and job approval authority for BMPs.
• Develops plan and soils maps for contracts using ArcGIS and Web Soil Survey.
• Oversees preparation of annual 5% spot checks of NC-ACSP, AgWRAP and CCAP contracts. Prepare, revise and maintain conservation plans on agricultural land.

Skills

Independent work

Regulations interpretation

Communication skills

Surveying knowledge

Land/engineering surveying

Education

Bachelor's degree in Soil Conservation/related field

Associate degree + 2 years experience

Tools

ArcGIS

Job description

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Assist the Guilford Soil & Water Conservation District in carrying out its program of soil and water conservation practices on County farmland.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

An employee in this class performs management, technical, and supervisory functions of the Guilford Soil and Water District office, programs, and leads the work of the District’s Soil & Water Conservation Technician and Soil & Water Coordinator positions. Programs are designed to protect the environment and enhance the public health and safety of the citizens of Guilford County. Examples of work include providing public information to citizens, reviewing applications for NC-ACSP and CCAP funds, determining eligibility of applicants, designing, planning, laying out, checking, measuring and certifying installed practices. This employee also performs technical field and office work, as necessary, to implement the NC Agriculture Cost Share Program (NC-ACSP) on farmland in Guilford County and the same for the NC Community Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP), carried out on non-agricultural lands. This employee also supports the administration of the Voluntary Agriculture District Program. Works with and coordinates program activities with Guilford County Soil and Water District Board and under the supervision of the Planning and Development Director or Deputy Director. Work is evaluated and reviewed jointly with the District Board of Supervisors ED through reports/records, program audits, accuracy in administration of programs, effectiveness of strategies, conferences, and analysis of overall results obtained.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provides leadership in the office for all Soil & Water District Programs and related issues, including Cost Share Programs, Jordan Lake Agriculture Rules Accounting and Compliance, Farm Preservation, and any other Soil & Water programs as needed and directed by district board.
• Provides basic supervisory and managerial tasks to oversee District staff.
• Oversees soil & water technician in the design, layout and construction supervision of Best Management Practices (BMPs); check out of completed BMPs and submit Requests for Payment; maintains technical design and job approval authority for BMPs.
• Develops plan and soils maps for contracts using ArcGIS and Web Soil Survey.
• Oversees preparation of annual 5% spot checks of NC-ACSP, AgWRAP and CCAP contracts. Prepare, revise and maintain conservation plans on agricultural land.
• Ensures the preparation and maintenance of Waste Utilization Plans for registered livestock operations as required by State “0200” Regulations and GS 143.215.10A. Provide guidance and technical assistance to these operations to maintain compliance with plans and regulations.
• Presents all program documents and initiatives to the Soil & Water Board for approval, as required.
• Assists NRCS and staff with Federal Programs, as requested.
• Provides technical advice to the agricultural community, the public, and individuals as it relates to soil erosion control, conservation practice installation, storm water drainage and flooding problems.
• Assists with Voluntary Agriculture District Program Applications, helps maintain records, forms and tracking of applicants.
• Assists with No-till Drill rental program, scheduling and maintaining records.
• Advises the general public on current laws, standards and ordinances, e.g., Jordan Lake Rules.
• Assists NRCS, NC Div. Forest Resources, Cooperative Extension, Guilford County, City of Greensboro and Piedmont Triad Water Quality Partnership and other agencies as requested.
• Maintain historical aerial photographs and assists engineering consultants with viewing, locating sites.
• Oversees and assists the Soil & Water Coordinator in developing and presenting environmental educational programs to schools and groups.
• Oversees the Administrative needs of the District board, and work of the Soil & Water Coordinator.
• Oversees the Envirothon Program in Guilford County and assists at the area and state levels.
• Support Teacher Workshops (Educational Workshops that ‘teach the teachers’ to teach soil & water conservation to their students).
• Assists the District Board with outreach such as newsletter articles and fundraising activities
• Performs other related work, as needed.

RECURUITMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work independently within established standards and guidelines.
• Ability to interpret regulations and planning manuals.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to effectively use common workplace technologies and digital tools.
• Considerable knowledge of standard practices, techniques, materials and equipment used in drafting.
• Considerable knowledge of land and engineering survey systems, methods and techniques.
• General knowledge of the county's zoning, subdivision, erosion control and health department regulations.
• Understand agricultural methods, practices and culture.
• Ability to apply knowledge of Conservation Planning and use Best Management Practices for individual farms and fields.
• Working knowledge of land surveying including use of related instruments and computers.
• Ability to use hand level, and laser level for survey work and to carry and use a surveying rod and or receiver; record and document readings.
• Ability to make accurate mathematical computations.
• Ability to transfer rough sketched and notes into finished land maps.
• Ability to work with other technical design personnel and convey ideas effectively.
• Ability to communicate effectively with various individuals and groups in the course of work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in Soil Conservation, Biological & Agricultural Engineering, Soil Science, Environmental Science, Planning or related field. Course work should also include classes in agronomy, biology, forestry, and related subjects.

OR

An Associate Degree in Soil Conservation, Biological & Agricultural Engineering, Soil Science, Environmental Science, or related field and two years of experience in natural resource management, environmental science, agriculture engineering, agronomy, forestry, soil science or a related area.

Preferred Qualification:

• Experience with farm management, engineering surveys and design.

Special Requirement:

Valid Driver’s License

Physical Demands

Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing and repetitive motions. Work also requires the ability to move about over uneven terrain, possibly climb fences, cross streams and ditches such as that in construction hard hat areas and on farms or forest land.

Must have visual acuity to perform tasks requiring color, depth perception and field of vision sufficient to perform tasks associated with the preparation and analysis of figures and data, operations of a computer, using surveying equipment, operation of a motor vehicle and inspection of soil erosion and watershed control devices.

Must be able to perform sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Environmental Conditions

Work is performed both inside and outside environmental conditions. The employee may be exposed to temperatures lower than 32 degrees and/or higher than 100 degrees. The work may be outdoors in full sun.

Driving is Essential

Driving is an essential requirement of this position whether driving a County owned or personal vehicle to conduct county business. Motor Vehicle Reports may be verified for valid driver’s license and that the driving record is compatible with the county’s driving criteria.

If a personal vehicle is operated for county business proper insurance is maintained as per Guilford County’s vehicle use policy.

Special Note: This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions and recommended job requirements. However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job description with physical abilities checklist which can be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detail information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal defensible personnel decisions.