The Trinity County Resource Conservation District (TCRCD) is accepting applications for the position of Conservation Planner. The Conservation Planner works under the direct supervision of the Deputy Director and NRCS affiliate District Conservationist. This is a full-time position with flexible scheduling, paid leave, and medical benefits. District employees are subject to normal management reviews and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

The Conservation Planner will work with the Natural Resource Conservation Service staff out of the Weaverville Office to develop conservation plans for Trinity County residents for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). This position offers a variety of projects which can include, but are not limited to, natural resources environmental planning and analysis; coordination with natural resource partners such as local, state, federal, tribal, and non-profit agencies on conservation, habitat enhancement, and forest health planning and implementation projects; organizing and implementing community meetings; outreach as it relates to forest and watershed health. The Conservation Planner will also be responsible for documenting landowner implementation of existing EQIP and CSP projects. This position requires a minimum of 6 months of training.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in tracking projects, meeting project deadlines, reporting, and managing project budgets.
• Knowledge of natural resource management, watershed, and environmental issues.
• Knowledge of environmental planning processes on both state and federal levels.
• Ability to communicate with people from all backgrounds.
• Experience working with private landowners.
• Ability to translate complex scientific data into easily understandable information for public use.
• Excellent office computer skills, including MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent organizational, verbal, and written communication skills, including public speaking.
• Knowledge and experience working in an office setting.
• Three years or more of combined education and professional experience in natural resources-related projects.
• Bachelor’s degree or AA in environmental sciences or related natural resources field, such as forestry, fire management, landscape management, watershed sciences, ecology, biology, botany, environmental sciences, etc. Exceptional work experience may be considered as a substitute for a degree.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal candidate will be self-directed and detail-oriented, knowledgeable in watershed restoration and forest health best management practices. Excellent communication skills are imperative. The ideal candidate will also have the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and possess strong writing, communication, and budgeting skills.

Highly qualified candidates will have any combination of education and experience that would provide the following:

• Knowledge of conservation districts, nonprofit, and/or grant-based agencies.
• Experience with ongoing fuel reduction, forestry, and fire management work in Trinity County.
• Experience working in geographic information systems such as ArcMap, ArcPro, or Google Earth.

DUTIES:

• Provide conservation operations technical assistance to Trinity County Landowners.
• Coordinate community meetings, workshops, or field tours to showcase conservation practices.
• Coordinate one-on-one site visits with landowners to develop conservation plans.
• Develop conservation plans and contracts with Natural Resource Conservation Service staff for EQIP and CSP programs.
• Attend conservation planning workshops and training, working towards Planner certification.
• Track daily activities and achievements.
• Maintain files and records according to established systems.
• Coordinate with internal staff and external agencies to share ideas and cross-pollinate conservation planning-related project ideas with a positive approach.
• Write articles to promote and report on projects.
• Education and outreach duties as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as requested.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Office work is approximately 50% of this position, with outdoor and event work making up the remaining 50%. Mileage is reimbursed at the federal rate if a District or Agency vehicle is unavailable for use.

Before hiring, a background check, a valid California Driver’s License, current auto insurance, and a copy of the current driving record will be requested.