Conservation Agronomist

Join our team and make a difference in your community as a Conservation Agronomist within our Land Resources and Environment department.

Sauk County is home to a vast array of lakes, rivers, and creeks with 22,000 acres of natural parks and open spaces that allow for 100 miles of biking, hiking, and walking. Sauk County is the ultimate destination where anyone can happily live, work, and play. We are looking for someone who has the desire to support local communities and be a part of the Land Resources and Environment team.  

The purpose of the Conservation Agronomist is to support landowners, producers, agriculture professionals and other interested parties with soil health conservation programming including nutrient management plan implementation.

Sauk County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. We actively encourage protected veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply for our open positions. 

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, the company will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. We encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our online application system as a result of your disability. 

To request an accommodation, please contact our Human Resources team at 608-355-4887 or scpersonnel@saukcountywi.gov

Essential Duties

• Administer on-farm agronomic, farm planning, and nutrient management services. 
  1. Conduct planning and review of nutrient management cost-share contracts and plans. Develop training programs and implement nutrient management workshops.
  2. Conduct planning and design activities for development and establishment of cover crops and implementation of no till farming practices. 
  3. Track and report on implementation of the programs.

• Network with landowners, agricultural producers, and other agronomy professionals to provide information and education on practices, equipment, and programs available for nutrient management plan and soil health implementation. Provide continued training and support for the implementation of nutrient management plans and soil health practices.
• Maintain accurate data on crop field tillage, rotations, and residue management. Analyze and interpret soil test data, nutrient applications, and SNAP+ information and provide recommendations to landowners and agricultural producers.
• Assess and expand soil health programming. Develop program guidelines, identify potential projects, conduct planning and design activities, and evaluate funding opportunities.
• Assist with the implementation and oversight of the Sauk County Farm Demonstration Plots programming including sampling and data collection such as soil, forage, or water samples.
• Provide staff support to Producer Led Watershed Groups in Sauk County.
• Assist with the implementation of Sauk County’s Land and Water Resource Management Plan (LWRM) and Sauk County Chapter 26 Agricultural Performance Standards and Manure Management Ordinance by providing technical and financial assistance to prevent soil erosion and agricultural runoff.
• Conduct site visits with landowners to determine current compliance status with NR 151, ATCP 50, and Sauk County Chapter 26 and provide technical and financial assistance to bring landowners into compliance.
• Assist with the implementation of soil and water conservation programs including but not limited to:
  1. Farmland Preservation Program (FPP)
  2. Sauk County Cost Share Program
  3. Land and Water Resource Management (LWRM) Program
  4. Targeted Resource Management (TRM) Program
  5. Regional Conservation Partnership (RCPP)
  6. Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
  7. Nutrient Management Farmer Education (NMFE) Program.
• Responsible for all aspects of project management for assigned projects.  Duties include:
  1. Contract/agreement development and execution
  2. Cost estimates/bidding
  3. Site showing
  4. Design
  5. Project installation oversight
  6. Project as built certification
  7. Payment verification/certification of financial payments
  8. Records management
  9. Completing necessary project reports to department staff, agency partners, and elected officials.
• Utilize modeling software (RUSLE2, Snap Plus, etc.) to evaluate project outcomes based on phosphorus and sediment reduction and for use in progress reports for applicable projects.
• Facilitate, coordinate, and conduct adult and youth informational and educational activities, including but not limited to newsletters, listservs, field days, pasture walks, tours, workshops, and other public speaking events.
• Investigate and respond to citizen complaints regarding environmental issues by inspecting sites, collecting evidence, notifying landowner of violation and meeting with landowners to seek compliance. 
• Assist in the writing of grants that further the implementation of the department goals as related to soil and water conservation.
• Assist with preparing progress reports relating to department programs and provide updates to appropriate department staff, agency partners, and elected officials.
• Monitor cropland and livestock facilities to ensure practices for applicable State or County programs were installed correctly and functioning as intended.
• Document and monitor the status of technical and financial assistance provided to landowners by maintaining accurate computer databases, program participant files, and other records.
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Required Working Hours

Standard working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am until 4:30 pm. Please note these hours are subject to change and additional hours may be needed or required. Compensation for additional hours beyond normal working hours are subject to applicable state and federal regulations.

Minimum Training and Education

Required:

Bachelor’s degree in Soils and Water Conservation, Engineering, Agronomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture, or other related field.  

Two (2) years' experience in soil and water conservation

Licenses/Certifications: 

Valid Wisconsin State Motor Vehicle Operator’s License

Preferred:

Possession of (or ability to obtain) within two (2) years from hire date:

Associate or Certified Professional Agronomist, State Certified Crop Advisor (CCA), or comparable professional certification

Level III or greater ecological systems job approval authority for at least 4 practices

Level I Certified Conservation Planner

Certified Prescribed Grazing Planner

Any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered.