La Plata Conservation District

What is a Board Supervisor?

Board Supervisors are landowners within La Plata Conservation District boundries (or their designee per CRS 35-70-107) who serve as elected (or appointed to fill vacant board positions) volunteers without pay. They are elected by land-owners to staggered four (4) year terms with a portion of the positions available at one regular election and the remainder of the positions at the next regular election. These staggered terms improve the stability and consistency for Conservation District programs.

Supervisors may come from many different occupations, but, by law, all Supervisors must be qualified electors within the Conservation District.

Board Supervisors, as unpaid elected officials, hold a unique position among agencies managing Colorado’s natural resources. They serve as the grass roots representatives of land owners and the general public in their communities, providing leadership and direction to bring voluntary cooperation in natural resource conservation programs. Upon taking the oath of office, each Supervisor agrees to carry out the responsibilities of the position as specified in CRS Title 35 Article 70.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Attend monthly district meetings.
• Participate on district committees and in work groups.
• Be willing to represent the citizens of his/her county in regard to conservation issues.
• Be willing to stay informed and inform others about conservation issues.
• Keep informed on current legislative and regulatory issues as they relate to agriculture and local government.
• Be willing to work with a multitude of agencies and resolve programs through teamwork.
• Meet with representatives of cooperating agencies: Department of Agriculture(CDA); Colorado State Conservation Board (CSCB); Natural Resources Conservation Service(NRCS); Farm Services Agency (FSA); Colorado State University Cooperative Extension (CSU); to further the understanding and cooperative relationships and programs.
• Be well versed in the field of conservation and interested in local conservation issues.
• Be willing to participate in statewide meetings and workshops on conservation issues.
• Recognize natural resource management needs that can be met through district programs.
• Participate in district policy and program development.
  • Prepare strategic and annual plans of work.
  • Establish and implement district policies regarding natural resource conservation issues as well as personnel and office matters
  • Develop and/or implement conservation programs (educational and/or technical) to meet the needs of the district

• Provide financial direction.
  • Be responsible for the proper expenditure and management of public funds.
  • Review and approve annual budget and financial statements.
  • Approve monthly treasurer reports.
  • Maintain a working knowledge of the budgetary process
  • Assess funding needs and actively pursue funding from local and state sources.

• Participate in public and community relations activities/programs
  • Maintain an active public information and educational program so that citizens and local board members will be informed about conservation issues and district programs.
  • Make presentations and provide testimony at public hearings about conservation issues.

• Participate in personnel management.
  • Provide guidance and direction to staff and maintain fair and equitable personnel policies.
  • Maintain an open working relationship between staff and board members
  • Serve on the personnel committee and participate in all aspects of personnel management including hiring, personnel reviews, etc.

Terms of service

Four years, La Plata Conservation District is term limited and therefore each Supervisor can serve two consecutive elected terms. Supervisors receive no compensation; depending on board policy they may be able to be reimbursed for travel to meetings, registration, meals and other associated expenses when conducting work of the district.

Qualifications

Understand the need for conservation of soil, water, and other natural resources. Other qualifications that may be helpful are:

• Knowledge of agriculture and related fields
• Environment awareness
• Background in local, state, and national legislative processes
• Skills in conduct of meetings and parliamentary procedure
• Technical background in environmental sciences, engineering

Commitment Required

Approximately 10 hours/month which includes:

• Board of Supervisor meeting attendance: three hours
• Review of materials, reading and preparation: two hours
• Committee work: three hours
• Attending meetings related to local conservation issues: two hours

Training Requirements

• Be willing to learn district procedures
• Reviewing the working documents of the district
• Complete the Colorado State Conservation Board online training program for District Supervisors

 

Email office@laplatacd.org for more information.