Conservation Planner

Employer: Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District

Work Location: 2776 Sullivan Rd, Sebastopol, CA, with option for partial remote work; fieldwork throughout Sonoma County.

Status: Exempt/ 0.8-1.0 FTE (32-40 hours/week) including some evening and weekend hours.

Compensation: Starting pay rate $36.04/hour-$48.91/hour, (annual salary for 40 hrs/wk $74,963 - $101,733) Depending on Experience.

Posting Date: September 23, 2024

Closing Date: Open until filled. First screening of applications is on October 4, 2024.

Start Date: Flexible, October/November

The Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District in Sonoma County, CA, is seeking an experienced Conservation Planner and Technical Assistance Provider - Agricultural Programs. The position entails completing on-farm natural resource assessments, developing conservation activity plans (conservation plans, soil health management plans, carbon farm plans, etc.,), and working with land managers and technical experts, when needed, to design and oversee implementation of site-specific conservation practices for a variety of agricultural operations, including vineyards, orchards, vegetable crops, ranches, dairies, and diverse farms.

Organizational Background Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) are non-regulatory, local government entities organized under state law and empowered to manage soil, water, fish, and wildlife resources for conservation. In existence since the 1940s, RCDs are local grassroots conservation delivery systems that identify local conservation problems and guide solutions on a voluntary basis. RCDs have staff with expertise in a wide variety of natural resource and agricultural disciplines, education and outreach, policy, and fundraising, and are governed by Boards of Directors that are local landowners.

Position Summary

The Conservation Planner will work with the Agricultural Program Manager, Agricultural Project Manager, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) field staff, University of California Cooperative Extension, and other partners to engage agricultural producers as ecosystem stewards through the development and implementation of USDA NRCS Conservation Activity Plans (Carbon Farm Plans, Soil Health Management Plans, Nutrient Management Plans, etc.) and associated USDA NRCS conservation practices. Agricultural conservation plans are designed to provide on-farm ecological benefits, improve agricultural productivity, enhance agroecosystem resilience, and mitigate global climate change. For example, carbon farming involves implementing conservation practices that are known to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester atmospheric carbon in plant material and/or soil organic matter. Carbon farming is successful when carbon gains, resulting from enhanced land management and/or conservation practices, exceed carbon

losses. http://landsmart.org/programs-services/landsmart-carbon-farm-plans/

Essential Functions:

The Conservation Planner works in partnership with the Agricultural Program Manager, Agricultural Project Manager, and other Gold Ridge RCD professional staff to support programs that promote soil conservation, climate adaptation, water quality improvement, wildlife habitat enhancement and agricultural sustainability. We partner with many individuals and organizations in our district, regionally and statewide. The Conservation Planner will be responsible for working directly with farmers and ranchers in the development of farm and ranch plans, including conducting natural resource assessments, soil and vegetation sampling and monitoring. This position also serves as a Technical Assistance Provider for agricultural producers applying for and receiving state and federal agency agricultural conservation incentive payments or grants. The Conservation Planner will also contribute to outreach and educational event planning to promote awareness and interest among the farming community in practices that have climate and other conservation benefits. The ideal candidate will have existing connections within the agricultural community and other agricultural support organizations and agencies.

• Plans, manages, produces, and assists in implementation of LandSmart Plans, Carbon Farm Plans, and other natural resource management Conservation Activity Plans (USDA NRCS Field Office Technical Guide for California (Section 3)). This duty includes responsibility as the principal author/editor of written Plans. These plans include working with landowners to develop their short-term and long-term stewardship goals to identify conservation practices that sequester carbon and reduce GHG emissions, enhance natural resources, and promote sustainability. The work requires GIS experience (ArcGIS Pro) and the collection, interpretation, and analysis of scientific data. It also requires building trust through extensive contact with landowners, land stewards, and community partners to gather information, explain findings, and build consensus.

• Assists in the administration of complex local, state and federal grants including oversight of construction, following state and federal guidelines, invoicing reporting and partnership building.

• Serves as member of an interdisciplinary team to solve complex and/or controversial resource-related issues. Scopes issues, develops resource objectives, monitors programs, and evaluates data and final implementation. Increases regional capacity by participating and contributing to regional conservation efforts.

• Based on well-developed experience and knowledge, significantly contributes to the development of land management practices, by suggesting process improvements to current practices, or suggesting alternative approaches to difficult issues.

• Participates and contributes to soil health monitoring, data collection and reporting of results to provide adaptation strategies and stewarding resources in the face of increased wildfire risk, water scarcity, floods, species decline and soil degradation.

• Performs a wide range of professional and administrative duties associated with the RCD’s grant-based funding.

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S., B.A., M.S. degree in Soil Science, Biological, Agricultural, Natural or Applied Sciences or equivalent education and experience.

• Training in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software.

• Seven (7) years’ professional experience working in the field of natural resource management, including managing projects.

• Strong technical writing and data analysis skills.

• Experience working one-on-one with agricultural producers, and a commitment to public service.

• Applicants must have demonstrated technical expertise in the implementation of agricultural conservation practices that are included in any proposed plans for farmers and ranchers. Applicants will also provide justification of how their education, experience and certifications make them qualified for developing the plans indicated.

• Familiarity with USDA NRCS conservation practices, particularly in rangeland, dairy, vineyard, and crop management systems.

• Professional knowledge of a wide range of sustainable agriculture and natural resource management principles, concepts, and theories sufficient to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of land management prescriptions covering diverse situations.

• The work requires some physical exertion such as long periods of walking, digging, bending over for data collection, carrying field study equipment, standing, crouching, often over rough, uneven, or rocky terrain.

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid CA Class C driver's license and automobile insurance.

Desired Qualifications

• Familiarity with grant project management including- proposal and contract creation and interpretation.

• Experience with environmental compliance associated with restoration projects including NEPA/CEQA compliance, 1600 Department of Fish and Game, 401 Regional Water Quality Control Board, 404 US Army Corps of Engineers.

• Knowledge of coastal California flora and fauna.

• Experience in the construction of projects including adherence to bidding procedures, prevailing wage requirements and budgets.

• Exceptional ability to work productively both independently and in a collaborative team setting. Ability to communicate and work with a diverse range of people including private landowners and land managers, private contractors, government agencies, Tribal staff and citizens, general public, and partner resource professionals.

• Exceptional attention to detail and problem-solving skills. Motivation to gain and develop new technical skills.

• Goal oriented and self-directed, works well independently.

• Action-oriented, adaptable, and innovative.

• Passion for conservation and a great teammate.

Position Information:

The Conservation Planner position is a permanent, flexible part to full-time (32-40 hours/week) hybrid position. It is expected this position will require 50% fieldwork and 50% office hours. The work schedule can be somewhat flexible based on incumbent availability, but the Conservation Planner will be expected to maintain regular hours once a schedule has been established. The work schedule will frequently require coordination with other staff or project partners or will be dictated by field/weather conditions. Occasional commitments on weekday evenings and weekends may be necessary to attend community events, meetings, and conferences. Local job-related travel is required, and some weekend and overnight travel may be necessary. Approved travel expenses incurred while conducting official RCD business will be paid on a reimbursable basis at the current federal rate. A valid California driver's license and proof of insurance is required. Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of employment.

Work Environment

The Gold Ridge RCD is located outside of the small towns of Sebastopol and Graton. We have 15 experienced, kind, and thoughtful staff. Our office is in an old farmhouse situated on an orchard and vineyard property down a gravel road. There is no regular public transportation to our office, but many staff enjoy biking to work. The work will be split between the outdoors and in an office preparing plans and attending meetings. The work performed outdoors is sometimes in remote areas. The work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks and discomfort.

Work is performed in an indoor/outdoor setting to include:

− Field settings that include various terrains, including work in flowing streams, dense vegetation (with possible exposure to poison oak, ticks, and mosquitos); and hot, cold, and/or wet conditions.

− A professional office environment in a rural location not easily accessible by public transportation.

− Partial remote work is optional as work responsibilities allow.

Compensation:

Financial compensation will be $36.04/hour-$48.91/hour depending on experience. The incumbent will be eligible for enrollment in the RCD group health insurance and dental/vision plan with an annual employer contribution equivalent to 100% employee-only coverage for full time employees of an RCD selected medical plan. After 1000 hours of work employees will also be enrolled in an RCD sponsored retirement plan through CalPERS and can enroll in an optional Nationwide 457b retirement account. Additional benefits include 104 paid-time-off hours equal to 13 days which accrue uniformly throughout the year, and 11 paid holidays.

Application Procedures: Please submit cover letter, resume, and three references to Rebecca@goldridgercd.org with the title “Conservation Planner, Ag” in the subject line. The first round of applications will be reviewed October 4th. No phone calls.

The Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is based on qualifications and competency. We prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, and any other status protected by state or federal law.