Join Our Land Conservation Team as an Agronomist! Are you ready to dig deep into the world of agriculture? As our Agronomist, you’ll be the mastermind behind growing thriving crops and nurturing the soil. You’ll work closely with landowners and fellow green thumbs, all while having a blast in the great outdoors!Reporting to the Deputy Director/Environmental Engineer, the Agronomist will provide both general and site specific information to landowners including education, planning, and technical assistance for Agronomic practices, including but not limited to: conservation tillage, cover cropping, nutrient management, and integrated pest management practices within Outagamie County, along with implementation of federal, state, and County standards and ordinances. Schedule: Typical 7:30-4, with rotating office days, and some after hours meetings. Hybrid schedule available after onboarding complete. Apply Today at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/outagamie?keywords=agronomist
|
|
| Key Responsibilities: |
The following duties are most critical for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. - Coordinates meetings with individuals, groups of landowners, and agronomy professionals to provide detailed information on the use and management of specific conservation tillage practices and tillage equipment.
- Works with landowners to develop cropping systems which include incorporating cover crops. This includes determining different mixes, timing, and integrating herbicide and pesticide application methods to best suit each farm.
- Utilizes SNAP Plus to show the benefits of conservation, compliance and also to determine potential non-point trading credits for trades with local Point Source dischargers.
- Determines landowner eligibility for Working Lands Initiative Program based on present cropland management and current soil erosion prediction model calculations using SNAP Plus and RUSLE2 software.
- Supervises the "first time" operation of tillage, no-till planting, and inter-seeding equipment by landowners to assure optimal operation and results (selecting the proper closing wheels, down pressure, etc).
- Organizes documents and directs reviews of planned and implemented agronomy related practices as necessary to evaluate program implementation effectiveness.
- Plans and coordinates on-site demonstrations to provide "hands-on" information about various conservation practices and ways to implement them.
- Maintains, thorough applicable training, a high level of agronomy related technical knowledge and skills necessary to carry out the effective promotion of land and water conservation practices and nutrient management.
- Executes contracts and signs cost-share agreements with operators for various conservation practices.
|
| Education/Certifications/Experience Requirements: |
- Bachelor's or Associates degree in Agronomy, Soil Science, Natural Resource Management, Watershed Management, or a related field.
- Five years WI Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) experience, or equivalent in Agronomy related position, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
- Knowledge of conservation tillage, residue management, nutrient management, cover cropping, and other current farming practices.
- Proficiency in proper techniques for sampling soil, plants and water.
- RUSLE2 and SNAP Plus computer software experience is preferred.
- Valid Driver's License (CDL preferred), and WI Agronomic Certification (CCA, ARCPACS, or NAICC) required.
- ArcGIS Experience preferred.
- WI Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification and USDA-NRCS Conservation Planner Certification preferred.
- Obtain Public Notary Certification within 6 months of hire.
|
| Required or Preferred Skills: |
- Ability to interpret and analyze soil test reports.
- Ability to operate a variety of equipment including personal computer and applicable software (including spreadsheets, word processing, etc.), telephone, fax, photocopier, soil auger/probe, portable scales, motor vehicle, all terrain vehicle, etc.
- Ability to interpret aerial photography, aerial slides, soil maps, USGS quadrangles, and to use in-field measuring devices.
- Knowledge of agronomy, animal husbandry/biology, farming practices, nutrient management and soil health, and the economics of conservation practices.
- Ability to prepare and give presentations during training sessions to associations, community groups, schools, governmental entities and professionals, related to current agronomy issues and pertinent LCD programs.
- Ability to operate and maintain farm equipment including tractor and loader, seeding and planting equipment, and tillage equipment preferred.
- Strong communication skills and ability to persuade landowners to adopt soil health and other conservation related practices.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, landowners, contractors, government officials, and the public.
- Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
- An understanding of non-point pollution and its relationship/impacts towards water quality.
- Candidate will need to be able to lift up to 50 pounds or heavier weights with the right equipment on a periodic basis when maintaining equipment, loading seed into planters, etc.
- The physical environment requires the employee to work both inside and outside in heat/cold, wet/humid, and dry/arid conditions and is based on season.
 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, THE COUNTY WILL PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS TO QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND ENCOURAGES BOTH PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES AND INCUMBENTS TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL ACCOMMODATIONS WITH THE EMPLOYER.
|
