Soil & Water Conservation Specialist

Are you passionate about protecting natural resources and improving soil and water quality? Do you thrive in a role that blends technical expertise, project management, and fieldwork? If so, we invite you to apply for the Soil and Water Conservation Specialist position! This role is a unique opportunity to make a direct impact on environmental conservation efforts within the county. You'll collaborate with landowners, government agencies, and stakeholders to implement best management practices, reduce pollution, and oversee conservation projects from start to finish.

If this intrigues you, we invite you to apply to join the Soil & Water Conservation department as a Soil and Water Conservation Specialist. As a part of the Soil & Water team, this position performs specialized natural resource conservation duties within the county, conducting soil investigations, advising and assisting landowners to reduce pollution in county soil and waters, and coordinating conservation programs. The primary focus is theresponsibility to manage and fulfill commitments for contracts held with the City of Wilmington Stormwater Services and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture Division of Soil and Water which have specific dates, timelines, and deliverables outlined in a Standard Operating Procedure that must be followed. As a small county department, administrative duties are shared amongst the team. Tasks include completing purchase orders, allocating monthly procurement card charges, answering the office phone and assisting customers, and updating maps, program information, contracts, reports, and databases.

The ideal candidate will possess excellent project management skills, the ability to work independently, attention to detail, written and oral communication skills, and organizational skills to manage deadlines effectively and ensure responsive communication with stakeholders. Essential duties for this position include the following.

• Advises and assists land users in carrying out a variety of natural resource conservation projects.
• Helps land users analyze problems and recommends solutions.
• Inspects sites and conducts soil investigations and other data to ensure compliance with program standards.
• Performs scientific calculations regarding areas of high pollution and makes recommendations to the Board on treatment options.
• Analyzes data using GIS, computer-aided methods, and other analytical methods.
• Performs review of proposed projects and makes recommendations to the Board on project selection.
• Helps landowners establish resource conservation plans, including reviewing the required maintenance on installed devices by property owners for compliance regulations.
• Ensures and documents that practices are installed and maintained, annual inspections are performed and compliance data is tracked.
• Estimates annual stormwater volume reduction amounts.
• Prepares and provides quarterly and annual stormwater program updates.
• Assists in writing and maintaining grants related to natural resource conservation.
• Conducts educational programs and makes demonstrations to create awareness of conservation needs and available programs to assist land owners.
• Assists landowners to obtain necessary permits and HOA permissions.
• Works with state, federal, and local partners on stormwater management cost share programs.
• Oversees contractor surveys, designs and installation of stormwater best management practices such as rain gardens, cisterns, impervious surface conversions, swales, wetlands, tree plantings, etc.
• Administers county and city and provides technical assistance to implement cost-share incentive programs; analyzes problem, estimates cost, calculates stormwater volume reduction, completes application form and certifies cost-share need; certifies correct installation.

• Employer paid 401k contributions;
• Retirement plan through the NC Retirement system;
• Flex time and telework availability, depending on your position;
• Paid sick and personal leave + 13 paid holidays per year;
• Paid parental leave;
• Paid community services leave to give back to our community;
• Education leave to obtain a degree within your line of work;
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance + many other insurance options;
• Onsite, employer-paid health and wellness center;
• Professional development trainings & leadership initiatives;
• Opportunities to make a difference in your community;
• And so much more!

Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science, Soil Conservation, Agriculture, Ecology, Biology, or related field and one (1) year of related experience in natural resource conservation; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Must obtain job approval authority through the North Carolina department of agriculture division of soil and water within the two years of employment.

Valid North Carolina Driver License required by first date of employment with good driving record.

After the closing date for this position applications will be screened by Human Resources. Applicants referred to the department will receive an email requesting important information pertinent to the position applied for. Please be sure to check your email for this communication so we may proceed with the next step in the recruitment process in a timely manner.