EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: Conservation Technician Position!!
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Red Lake County SWCD
2602 Wheat Drive
Red Lake Falls, MN 56750
(218) 253-2593
www.redlakecountyswcd.org
Position Title: Conservation Technician
Position Location: Red Lake County SWCD, Red Lake Falls, MN
Employment Terms: Full-Time with Benefits
Application Deadline: June 9, 2023, at 4:30 pm
Salary: Starting at $25.00 per hour or based on qualifications and experience
Position Description:
The Conservation Technician performs technical functions for the Red Lake County SWCD. The District Technician will also be responsible for programs such as the Buffer Law, Soil Health, and other programs as assigned by the District. This person will also assist other cooperating agencies, along with District staff, as requested. Position requires traveling throughout the County and State, a valid Minnesota Driver’s License is mandatory.
Minimum Qualifications:
Desirable Qualifications
Duties and Responsibilities:
These duties describe the general nature and level of work being performed by this position and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties performed.
To Apply:
Paper or electronic applications will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on June 9, 2023. Please include as the application a cover letter, resume, and references.
Mail to:
Tanya Waldo, District Manager
Red Lake County SWCD
2602 Wheat Drive
Red Lake Falls, MN 56750
Tanya.Hanson@redlake.mnswcd.org
Red Lake County SWCD
2602 Wheat Drive
Red Lake Falls, MN 56750
(218) 253-2593
www.redlakecountyswcd.org
Position Title: Conservation Technician
Position Location: Red Lake County SWCD, Red Lake Falls, MN
Employment Terms: Full-Time with Benefits
Application Deadline: June 9, 2023, at 4:30 pm
Salary: Starting at $25.00 per hour or based on qualifications and experience
Position Description:
The Conservation Technician performs technical functions for the Red Lake County SWCD. The District Technician will also be responsible for programs such as the Buffer Law, Soil Health, and other programs as assigned by the District. This person will also assist other cooperating agencies, along with District staff, as requested. Position requires traveling throughout the County and State, a valid Minnesota Driver’s License is mandatory.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Four-year degree in natural resources, agriculture, or related field preferred, candidates with equivalent combination of 2-year degree and at least 2 years work experience would still be considered.
- Self-motivated, able to learn quickly, follow instructions, handle multiple projects, feel comfortable in a regulatory role and be willing to work with new and innovative projects and programs.
- Strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal. Must possess meticulous recordkeeping skills. Must be comfortable working with individuals of varied ages and social backgrounds.
- Knowledge and experience with computers (Microsoft Office, ArcPro, Outlook) and GPS equipment and software. Experience interpreting soils maps & aerial photography.
- Knowledge or experience with conservation practices.
- Ability to read, understand and interpret program rules and procedures and forms.
- A valid Minnesota driver’s license.
Desirable Qualifications
- Experience with SWCD, state and/or local administration and technical support programs, grants, data management, planning/reporting procedures and implementation of conservation practices.
- Knowledge of design, survey, and construction of erosion control and other conservation practices.
- An understanding of agricultural practices in the area is preferred.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with local, state, and federal officials, boards, organizations, and individuals to promote conservation programs and accomplish goals and objectives of established plans.
- Provide customer service reliant to the Minnesota Buffer Law and validate compliance.
- Survey, design, and construction of conservation practices and complete inspections on previously installed conservation practices.
- Promote and provide customer service for Soil Health practices and the Cover Crop Cost-Share Program.
- Work with customers on the Ag Best Management Loan Program and the Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program.
- Maintain records, accurate data management to insure accurate reporting.
- Coordinate and communicate with other agencies and landowners regarding projects and plans.
- Work with SWCD staff and Board of Supervisors to address natural resource needs using available resources.
- Other duties as assigned by District Manager or SWCD Board of Supervisors.
These duties describe the general nature and level of work being performed by this position and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties performed.
To Apply:
Paper or electronic applications will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on June 9, 2023. Please include as the application a cover letter, resume, and references.
Mail to:
Tanya Waldo, District Manager
Red Lake County SWCD
2602 Wheat Drive
Red Lake Falls, MN 56750
Tanya.Hanson@redlake.mnswcd.org
Soil Health Equipment Grants:
Applications for Minnesota’s Soil Health Financial Assistance Pilot Program will open in early 2023
Quick facts:
One of the first and only programs to reimburse for equipment Covers purchase of new equipment, used equipment, & parts to retrofit existing equipment Awards range from $500-$50,000 (up to 50% cost share) Individuals, producer groups, & local government units can apply Eligible equipment purchases must advance soil health in MN These grants are competitive. Awarded contracts last 12 months.
How to apply:
Visit www.mda.state.mn.us/soil-health-grant (or scan QR code) for more information. The Request for Proposals (RFP) and application link will be available in early 2023. Once posted, the RFP will be open for 60 days. Start preparing now! The application will require the cost of the equipment, an explanation of how the equipment will be used to advance soil health on your farm, the number of acres the equipment will be used on, and other information. These grants are for reimbursement only, and expenses must not occur before the grant contract start date. Questions? Contact Jessica Jurcek: 651-802-3059 │ jessica.jurcek@state.mn.us
| sh_grant_announcement_digital.pdf |
Red Lake County SWCD Cover Crop Incentive Program
Red Lake County SWCD started a Cover Crop Incentive Program in 2019.
The District developed a Cover Crop Incentive Program Policy. The District also submitted a Nonstructural Land Management Practice Implementation Plan to the Board of Water & Soil Resources, which was approved.
The Red Lake County SWCD Cover Crop Incentive Program was created to provide funds for individuals that are interested in using cover crops in their farming operation, and to promote the long-term adoption of cover crops in the farming operation. The purpose of this policy is to provide clear guidelines for the implementation of funds appropriated to Red Lake County SWCD associated with local capacity services grant.
Funds are allocated to Red Lake County SWCD by Board of Soil & Water Resources (BWSR) from the SWCD local capacity grant. The Red Lake County SWCD board sets, through a work plan approved by the BWSR Board Conservationist, the amount from the SWCD local capacity grant that is used for the Cover Crop Incentive Program.
The Red Lake County SWCD Board has established the maximum rate to a land occupier for installation of the cover crop practice is: $30 for a single species Cover Crop i.e. Cereal rye or oats, $80 for a multiple species Cover Crop which means it must include one grass and one broad leaf species, or $100 for a multiple species Cover Crop with reduced tillage; which is defined as including at least one grass and one broad leaf species, following an annual crop with a minimum of 50% residue left after seeding of the cover crop. These rates are a per acre payment.
The Red Lake County SWCD Board has established the maximum number of acres for a project applicant is 50 acres. The 50 acres may be subdivided into different tracts, but these tracts may not be smaller than 5 acres in size. The Red Lake County SWCD Board has established the minimum number of acres for a land occupier is 5 acres. The maximum number of contracts per land occupier is 5.
For further information, please read through the Red Lake County SWCD Cover Crop Incentive Program Policy in its entirety below or contact our office at (218) 253-2593 for more details.
The District developed a Cover Crop Incentive Program Policy. The District also submitted a Nonstructural Land Management Practice Implementation Plan to the Board of Water & Soil Resources, which was approved.
The Red Lake County SWCD Cover Crop Incentive Program was created to provide funds for individuals that are interested in using cover crops in their farming operation, and to promote the long-term adoption of cover crops in the farming operation. The purpose of this policy is to provide clear guidelines for the implementation of funds appropriated to Red Lake County SWCD associated with local capacity services grant.
Funds are allocated to Red Lake County SWCD by Board of Soil & Water Resources (BWSR) from the SWCD local capacity grant. The Red Lake County SWCD board sets, through a work plan approved by the BWSR Board Conservationist, the amount from the SWCD local capacity grant that is used for the Cover Crop Incentive Program.
The Red Lake County SWCD Board has established the maximum rate to a land occupier for installation of the cover crop practice is: $30 for a single species Cover Crop i.e. Cereal rye or oats, $80 for a multiple species Cover Crop which means it must include one grass and one broad leaf species, or $100 for a multiple species Cover Crop with reduced tillage; which is defined as including at least one grass and one broad leaf species, following an annual crop with a minimum of 50% residue left after seeding of the cover crop. These rates are a per acre payment.
The Red Lake County SWCD Board has established the maximum number of acres for a project applicant is 50 acres. The 50 acres may be subdivided into different tracts, but these tracts may not be smaller than 5 acres in size. The Red Lake County SWCD Board has established the minimum number of acres for a land occupier is 5 acres. The maximum number of contracts per land occupier is 5.
For further information, please read through the Red Lake County SWCD Cover Crop Incentive Program Policy in its entirety below or contact our office at (218) 253-2593 for more details.
Erosion Site Inventory - Red Lake County
Red Lake County SWCD is conducting an Erosion Site Inventory in Red Lake County to collect information about potential erosion sites, their locations, funding needed, etc. There are various federal and state grants that are now available to assist with providing cost-share funding to fix these erosion problems. What we are asking you to do is if you have any of these erosion problems on your property; please fill out the survey below or print out the form below and mail it into our office so your project can be put in our database as a possible future project.
| erosion_site_inventory_form.pdf |
Red Lake County SWCD's - Habitat Pollinator Plot - at MN Wheat Grower's - Stop By and Check It Out!!
| 2022_december_12_final_red_lake_county_swcd_cover_crop_incentive_program_policy.pdf |