Organization: Boone County Conservation District

About the position:

Location: 6028 Camp Ernst Road, Burlington, KY 41005

Job Type: Part-time without benefits; 25 hours per week with occasional evening and weekend hours.

Overview of the Organization: The Boone County Conservation District (“BCCDKY”) is one of 121 conservation districts in Kentucky. Kentucky Conservation Districts are political subdivisions of state government but are not state agencies. Conservation Districts are local units of government that work within county boundaries and are charged with carrying out programs for the conservation, use and development of soil, water, and other natural resources. Conservation Districts are the primary entities to provide assistance to private landowners and land users in the conservation, sustainment, improvement, and enhancement of Kentucky’s natural resources. They are catalysts for coordinating and implementing conservation programs, channeling expertise from all levels of government and the community into action at the local level. Programs are non-regulatory, science based technical assistance, incentive based financial programs and informational and education programs.

Job Description: The Forest Health Technician works with the district staff and board of supervisors to determine the organization’s values and mission and to plan for short and long-term goals. This person will report directly to the Director of Conservation Programs and serve as a team member to carry out the organization’s annual and long-range plans of work. By working in a variety of forested and natural areas, a forest health technician promotes forest health over the long term. Duties might include surveying the ecosystem, implementing restorative and protective projects, and managing the growth of different types of trees and other vegetation. This work will help to identify and lessen tree diseases, decrease the spread of invasive species, and improve habitat for wildlife including threatened and endangered species.

Responsibilities:

Technical

Develop a forest management strategy for western Boone County

Investigate and document threats to local forest and wildlife resources (i.e., invasive species, diseases etc.)

Maintain an ongoing, sustainable forest and wildlife research program

Manage data to support natural resource reports, plans, projects, or permitted uses.

Increase technical assistance for public and private lands

Assist with equipment inventory and maintenance.

Safely use power tools or equipment for forestry or natural resource-related projects.

Support BCCDKY staff and partners with technical conservation projects, including native species plantings, invasive species control, stream health monitoring, and other field work

Promote State Cost Share, EQIP, and other financial assistance programs to landowners

Community Outreach and Education

Increase outreach efforts to forest landowners

Assist with youth and K-12 programming when necessary, including school visits and summer camps

Attend or host meetings with stakeholders, including landowners and community organizations

Develop strong partnerships with local universities, agencies, and community groups

Create educational content for print, online, and social media

Assist with the development of forest management workshops and education programs

Participate in community events such as fairs and festivals.

Administration

Provide support for budgeting, reporting, and planning.

Attend regular staff meetings and monthly board meetings.

Provide monthly reports to the Board of Supervisors.

Collaborate with staff and board to identify and address problems and opportunities for the district.

Other duties as assigned.

Skills and Qualifications:

Relevant coursework in biology, ecology, environmental studies, or related field preferred.

Experience in forest and wildlife management.

Knowledge of local and international conservation issues.

Experience with GPS, GIS, and map making.

Experience in natural resources, conservation, agriculture, and related fields strongly preferred.

Ability to communicate well both verbally and in writing

Ability to be flexible with daily responsibilities, exhibit strong people skills, and act as a member of a team

Valid driver’s license.

Ability to lift 50 lbs., work in adverse weather and remain on feet for long periods without difficulty.

CPR, Wilderness first aid, AED adult and pediatric certification, or lifeguard certification is a plus.

To apply, send resume, cover letter, and three references to markjacobs@bccdky.org by end of business day on Friday, September 8th.

More information can be found here.