La Plata Conservation District

Conservation District Engineering Technician 

Position open until filled.

Organization Overview: La Plata Conservation District (LPCD) is one of 74 Conservation Districts in Colorado whose functions are to coordinate assistance from all available sources—public and private, local, state, and federal—to develop locally-driven solutions to natural resources concerns. This position is not a federal job. The individual will be employed by the LPCD. 

Position Overview: This position provides technical services in the planning, survey, design and installation of conservation engineering practices. The position is headquartered in the NRCS Durango Field Office, Durango, CO and primarily provides assistance to landowners in the La Plata Conservation District with the possibility of providing occasional service to neighboring areas. This position will work primarily with the agricultural community to implement a wide variety of USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Farm Bill practices. Eighty percent of duties will be related to USDA Farm Bill Programs. The Conservation District Technician will also be called upon for a variety of Conservation District duties. Twenty percent of duties will be dedicated to the District, focusing on community education and outreach.  The District covers a diverse area spread across La Plata County, with the possibility of providing occasional services to neighboring areas. The District Conservation Technician position is effective through December 31, 2025, at which time the funding for this position expires.

Duties:

• Assist the NRCS Engineer with preparation of simple engineering sketches, practices, and structures involved in a variety of NRCS programs.
• Assist the NRCS Engineer in assembling complete packages of drawings and specifications for jobs.
•  Assist the NRCS Engineer with design computations and prepared estimates for quantities and costs.
• Assist the NRCS Engineer with the inspection of work under construction. Maintain construction inspection records according to current service policy.
• Assure safety and health at the work site
•  Assist the NRCS Engineer with preparing job sheets and designs according to current policy.
• Documents layout and construction in conservation assistance notes of Job Diary.
• Assist the NRCS Engineer with the documentation of the type, scope, and intensity of field investigations and surveys needed.
• Assist the NRCS Engineer with the collection of field data and ensures adequacy of collected data. Processes and plots data
• Sees that procedures and products conform to current service policy and standards.
•  Requests engineer assistance for more complex work (i.e. unstable foundations)
• Participates in other Conservation District activities such as District Board of Supervisor meetings, annual meetings, educational events, workshops, etc. 
• Serves as an incidental motor vehicle operator on both public and private roads during daylight hours and occasionally after dark as needed to perform the duties of the position. Occasional overnight travel outside of La Plata County may be required.
• Rentals and sales for Conservation District Programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Coordination with NRCS: Because of the District’s partnership with and support from NRCS, many aspects of the work described above occur within the context of NRCS planning processes and funding programs. Therefore, this position will also:  

•  Regularly communicate and attend relevant meetings with NRCS employees 
•  Complete NRCS conservation planning courses and trainings
• Follow NRCS planning processes and fill out documentation to identify natural resource concerns, develop conservation plans and practices, conduct surveys for NEPA compliance, and assist landowners in applying for NRCS funding 
• Utilize NRCS software such as Conservation Desktop, CART, Protracts and more. 

These duties are not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee will perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the LPCD and NRCS.

Qualifications: 

• Must be able to perform field work and to lift and carry a minimum of 30 lbs. of equipment
• Must be able to work in all kinds of weather 
• High School Diploma or GED 
• Preference for a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in soil conservation or related agricultural or natural resource discipline such as agronomy, soil science, agricultural education, or agricultural engineering; or OR Five (5) years of professional experience in a field that includes working in agriculture, construction or engineering, including owning or operating a farm or ranch.
• Able to pass criminal background check 
• Hold or be able to obtain a valid Colorado driver’s license 
•  Beginning knowledge of basic engineering drawings and specifications for simple construction activities, engineering surveying and investigation and design practices and structures.
• Beginning knowledge of basic earthwork, concrete, drainage structures and timber construction.
• Ability to convey and provide basic technical engineering methods and practice information to landowners, contractors and other NRCS employees.
• General knowledge of computers in order to utilize associated engineering programs
• Assures that programs and services are carried out without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age or physical or mental handicap.
• Discretion in maintaining confidentiality of business records
• Employee must provide their own boots, clothing, and other personal gear for fieldwork during all seasons

Skills and Abilities: 

• Work collaboratively with people and be a team player 
• Self-motivated, self-directed, organized, innovative 
• Clear and confident verbal and written communication skills 
• Committed to safety, excellence, and professionalism 
• Efficient in computer use, and able to learn new software 

Location: Durango, CO, in person

Hours: 40 hrs. per week, Monday through Friday. Occasional evening duties.

Salary Range: $35,000 - $47,000 per year

Benefits: Paid time off for Federal Holidays, (~10 days), professional development assistance, NRCS provided training, health insurance and life insurance.

Application Instructions – Applications accepted until position filled. Please combine, in order, all three application items listed below into a single attachment (PDF or Word document file); and email attachment to:  office@laplatacd.org or submit in person or by mail to:

La Plata Conservation District

DCT Committee

31 Suttle Street

Durango, CO 81303

Required application materials: 

1. Cover letter  
2. Resume  
3. Contact information for three professional and/or academic references

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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