Job Title: District Manager

Organization: Otter Creek Natural Resources Conservation District

Location: Middlebury, VT

Hours: Full time: 35 – 40 hours a week

Date Posted: May 8, 2026

Position Summary: The Otter Creek Natural Resources Conservation District (OCNRCD) seeks a District Manager to supervise and oversee all District operations including technical and programmatic outreach to farms, landowners, and municipalities, development and oversight of water quality projects, and public engagement to determine priorities for conservation work within the district. Working with the Board of Supervisors, the District Manager will assume all duties necessary to ensure the successful continuation and growth of Otter Creek’s programs, projects and services. Success in this position will include the ability to effectively identify and secure grant funding for programs/projects and to provide relevant support and communication in the office and field to farmers, landowners, and the community.

About Otter Creek Natural Resources Conservation District: The OCNRCD serves twenty towns on the eastern side of the Green Mountains in Addison County.  The District is governed by an elected five-member Board of Supervisors. As one of the 14 Conservation Districts in Vermont, OCNRCD is overseen and supported by the State Natural Resources Conservation Council (NRCC) and is a member of the Vermont Association of Conservation Districts (VACD).

Conservation Districts are non-regulatory entities that work on the local level to protect farms and natural resources, provide solutions and resources to address concerns, and coordinate resources to support conservation land use practices. OCNRCD works to improve water quality, protect open spaces, support agricultural practices, and build climate resiliency. OCNRCD works with farms, private landowners, state and federal agencies, municipalities and other partner organizations to promote and implement conservation programs.

Required Qualifications:

• Strong interest in large, medium and small farm viability, water quality, natural ecosystems, agriculture, and river health.
• Background in agriculture, natural resources, and/or environmental sciences. A bachelor’s or master’s degree is preferred plus four or more years working in a related field.
• Aptitude for building trust, relationships, and understanding among diverse clients, partners, and stakeholders.
• Strong critical thinking skills
• Interest and ability to identify obstacles and create solutions.
• Experience with financial management.
• Computer literacy including experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and web-based programs.
• Ability to apply for and manage state and federal grants.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly learn new software.
• Interest in initiating diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

Additional Skills Desired:

• Knowledge of financial software.
• Knowledge of Vermont Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs).
• Experience working with a Board.
• Proficiency with the VT ANR Atlas and desktop GIS software.
• Experience working with farmers and landowners with federal and state goals, programs and rules regarding water quality and other natural resources.
• Writing skills of a clear and concise nature.
• Ability to travel around the state.

Technical and Programmatic Responsibilities:

• Manage grant and contractual agreements including invoicing, tracking, and reporting.
• Engage with the Agency of Natural Resources in Tactical Basin Planning to identify, prioritize and implement clean water projects within the district.
• Work closely with town and local landowners and partner agencies including United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation District (USDA-NRCS), the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (VT ANR), and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Farm, and Markets, to address conservation needs in the District.
• Develop new grant funded projects and programs based on local needs in coordination with other Conservation District staff, statewide technical staff, Board of Supervisors and the public.
• Digitize OCNRCD’s files and modernize documentation and program systems going forward
• Perform additional related responsibilities as need arises.

Supervision: This position works independently of direct day-to-day supervision. Policy and program direction is received from the Chair of the Board. The Board solicits and encourages new ideas to improve the effectiveness of the District.

Performance Review: A formal review will be completed by the personnel committee of the District Board on schedule. Employee benefits will be evaluated at this time. The personnel committee will report to the full board.

Location and Office Arrangements: The office location for this position is within the NRCS office located at 68 Catamount Park, Suite B, Middlebury, VT.

NRCS provides office and computer facilities through an agreement with OCNRCD. The District Manager must be a U.S. citizen or U. S. national and will need to clear a Federal/USDA background investigation as a condition of hire, which will enable them to work with Federal resources. The District Manager must comply with NRCS requirements regarding computer and facilities use.

Hours of Work and Compensation: This is a full-time, hourly (non-exempt) position, with a normal work schedule of 35 to 40 hours a week. Due to the nature of the work, some early morning farm visits and evening meetings will be required.   Starting wage is $27 - $35 an hour based on experience with an opportunity for wage increases over time.

Otter Creek Natural Resources Conservation District is an EOE.