Resource Specialist
Connersville, IN, US, 47331
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
About the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA):
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture was established as a separate state agency by the Legislature in 2005. The Director of ISDA is appointed by the Governor and is a member of the Governor’s Cabinet. The ISDA vision is to be a global leader in innovation and commercialization for food, fuel, and fiber production. For more info click this link: http://www.in.gov/isda/3240.htm
Role Overview:
Incumbent serves in a field location with the Division of Soil Conservation providing soil and water resource-related technical assistance to agricultural and urban landusers within a regional team. Assistance consists of facilitating the application of measures that protect and enhance the quality of soil and water and other natural resources. The incumbent will work cooperatively with conservation partners to finish assigned work and serve as a member of the regional team. This position may also serve as the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) leader for the assigned watersheds or other geographic area of their locale. The incumbent will support staff with any current Division of Soil Conservation-led technical and financial agreements, including preparing reports, gathering data, and collaborating with partners on the agreements. This position will be located in a USDA Service Center serving Hancock, Fayette, Union, Wayne, and Henry counties.
Salary Statement:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $53,222, but may be commensurate with education or work experience.
A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:
- Conduct engineering field surveys for the purpose of designing structural and agronomic erosion and sediment control practices on agricultural land.
- Prepare the design and completes engineering field layout of erosion and sediment control practices.
- Meet with land users to encourage continued pursuit of conservation efforts, installation of planned practices, and proper maintenance of previously applied practices.
- Prepare time and progress reports and maintains field office records of ongoing projects.
- Coordinate with other ISDA Resource Specialists to ensure that technical assistance requests are being adequately serviced.
- Work closely with the regional partners to efficiently accomplish workload throughout the regional team.
- Maintain close working relations with personnel of other divisions in the Department, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other federal, state, and local agencies and organizations.
- Essential functions of this position require travel on most workdays to inspect, audit, examine, survey, or investigate clients, customers, or other regulated entities and write reports at those sites or employee’s home. Employee reports to the agency’s office for occasional meetings or events. Number and timing of work hours may vary daily or weekly to accommodate operational needs and staffing concerns at the client’s or customer’s worksite, minimize expenditures for repeated visits to complete the work, and allocate resources to complete assigned work effectively.
The job profile is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.
What You'll Need for Success:
You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment:
- Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited university or college in physical or earth sciences, natural resources, biology, or agriculture. Three years of applicable work experience may substitute for the required degree.
- Advanced knowledge of soil and water conservation theories, principles, techniques, and practices, and expertise in the design, application, installation, and maintenance of those practices.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, ability to communicate effectively, and excellent attention to detail.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering plans and specifications.
- Advanced knowledge in surveying and layout of conservation practices.
- Effective understanding of modern farm equipment, practices, and specific knowledge of equipment, application, and operation.
- Be willing to travel with reasonable accommodation.
- Commitment to maintain standards and address issues in a timely, professional manner.
- Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
- Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
- Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
- Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
- Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
- Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
- A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
- 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
- Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
- Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
- 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Group life insurance
- Referral Bonus program
- Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
- Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Free Parking for most positions
- Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
Nearest Major Market: Connersville
