- Salary: $20.38 – $32.32 Hourly
- Location: Emery County, UT
- Job Type: Full Time
- Job Number: 45358
- Agency: 570 Department of Agriculture and Food
- Opening Date: 06/17/2025
- Closing Date: 6/30/2025 11:59 PM Mountain
- FLSA: Non-Exempt
- Recruiter: Christa Rowland, 801-538-4826
- # of Openings: 1
- Schedule Code: B – Competitive Career Service – Employment in this position requires a probationary period.
- Benefits: This position is eligible for a full benefits package. See benefits tab below for details.
- Driver License Requirements: Employees hired for this recruitment will be subject to the Driver Eligibility standards found at the following link: https://adminrules.utah.gov/public/search/driver%20eligibility/Current%20Rules
- EEO Statement: The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, dial 711 or TTY: 800-346-4128.
Job Description
Job Title: Conservation Planner II
Location: Castle Dale, Utah
Job Description:
We are looking for a dedicated individual to join the Department of Agriculture and Food, a team driven by a strong work ethic and committed to the growth and conservation of Utah’s agriculture. If you are passionate about agriculture and farming, this is an excellent opportunity for you.The chosen candidate will develop and support landowners and collaborators in planning and executing conservation initiatives for natural resources and farming. Key duties include identifying funding opportunities and providing technical support for conservation enhancement projects. This position requires collaboration with federal, state, and local agencies, conservation districts, landowners, and various stakeholders in the planning and implementation of conservation projects.Responsibilities also include consulting with and aiding producers in completing applications and contracts for programs such as the Agriculture Voluntary Incentive Program, Water Optimization Program, Soil Health Program, and Natural Resources Conservation Service programs. A core focus of this role is preserving Utah’s natural resources. Begin your conservation career by promoting the proper use, management, restoration, and protection of our valuable natural resources.
The Agency:
If you would like more information about working for the Department of Agriculture and Food please click here.
Responsibilities
- Learn from federal and state agencies the process of planning and preparing a agricultural project to be implemented on the ground.
- Meet with and assist producers with completing applications and contracts for Agriculture Voluntary Incentive Program, Water Optimization Program, Soil Health Program and Natural Resources Conservation Service programs.
- Develop conservation plans for Conservation Districts and NRCS and private landowners.
- Contribute as a member of an elite team of conservation specialists that understand how to work with the land and water to utilize the resources available.
- Build relationships with local landowners and agencies to better plan projects that support production agriculture.
- Implement natural resources and agricultural conservation projects.
- Provides technical assistance to landowners in developing and revising conservation plans.
- Coordinates and/or acts as a liaison between agency or work unit and other agencies,
- work units, organizations, suppliers, etc. to implement best practices and stewardship measures to improve conservation efficiency, and resource effectiveness.
- Writes and reviews grants, contracts, agreements for: Agriculture Resource Development
- Loans (ARDL), Agriculture Voluntary Incentive Program (AgVIP), Watershed
- Management Plans, Invasive Species Mitigation Projects and Agriculture Water Optimization Program applicants
- Coordinates with other agencies, local governments, and interested groups by attending meetings, making presentations, and providing technical assistance.
- Analyzes, summarizes, and reviews data; reports findings, interprets results and makes recommendations.
- Provides technical assistance at conservation improvement sites.
- Organizes and plan Outreach events to educate Public about UDAF and NRCS programs.
- Write conservation plans for Conservation Districts and NRCS.
Qualifications
- Technical/Subject Matter Expertise: An understanding of natural resource issues, grant writing, water management, and agriculture practices.
- Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
- Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology.
- Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses.
- Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in the production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- Knowledge of applications and programming.
- Effective communication, organization, planning, and time management skills.
- Principles, theories, and practices of land and/or range management.
- Principles, theories, and practices of easement development and monitoring.
- State and federal conservation programs knowledge.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to attend meetings and coordinate projects among various parties.
- Ability to speak clearly, concisely and effectively, listen to and understand information and ideas as presented verbally.
- Principles, theories, and practices of agronomy, entomology, weed science, range management, horticulture, seed production, pesticide use, animal feeds, plant anatomy, botany, animal science or natural resource management.
- Ability to lead or functionally supervise staff.
- Procurement and/or administration of contracts, easements, grants, or similar agreements.
- Ability to communicate information and ideas clearly and concisely, in writing, and read and understand information presented in writing.
Supplemental Information
- Preference will be given to individuals for this job will have obtained a bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Soil Science, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Engineering, Biology, or other natural resource management degree.
- Equivalent experience and/or a combination of education and experienc.
- An understanding of natural resource issues, grant writing, water management and agriculture practices.
- Have a high degree of self-motivation and work with minimal supervision.
- Excel with interpersonal communication and team member contributions.
- The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
- Risks requiring special safety precautions and/or equipment, e.g., working around operating machines, contagious diseases, hazardous chemicals, etc.; risks found
in potentially dangerous/unusual situations, e.g. being subject to possible physical attack. - The work may require overnight travel.
- Valid driver license required to drive a motor vehicle on a highway in this state per UCA
53-3-202(1)(a) …granted the privilege to operate a motor vehicle by being licensed as a
driver by the division under this chapter. - Work may require some physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking over
rough terrain or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching,
reaching or similar activities.
Employer: State of Utah
Address: 4315 S. 2700 W., Suite 2100, Taylorsville, Utah, 84129
