Conservation Agricultural Engineer

Location : Kennett Square, PA

Job Type: Full Time, Exempt

Job Number: 02681

Department: Conservation District

Division: Chester Cty Conservation Dist

Opening Date: 02/15/2024

Closing Date: Continuous

Weekly Hours: 40

Shift: 8:00am-5:00pm

Summary

The person chosen for this position will participate in regional, state, and federal conservation programs and trainings and will provide technical support to staff as related to agriculture, erosion and sedimentation, and waste handling. The Conservation Engineer will provide technical engineering services, as required, for the design and construction of agricultural best management practices using NRCS standards and specifications. They will provide site construction supervision for agricultural best management practices to assure that construction work is completed in accordance with design parameters. They will have the ability to become familiar and proficient in the use of computer programs used in the design of agricultural plans and best management practices, such as AutoCAD, and NRCS Conservation Desktop.

Additionally, they will have familiarity with traditional and emerging relevant engineering practices and all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations. They will be knowledgeable of commonly referenced regulations, in particular the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law, Chapters 91 (Manure Management), 102 (Erosion and Sedimentation Control), 105 (Dam Safety and Waterway Management), and Act 38 (Nutrient Management).

The competent person filling this position must possess a BS in Civil and/or Environmental or Agricultural Engineering from an accredited college or university. They will possess an up-to-date Professional Engineer's license valid in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and preferably have at least 5 years of experience in natural resource conservation or similar fields. They will have experience with AutoCAD and with surveying fundamentals, including total station survey and GPS survey.

The position is flexible with a combination of remote work and on-site presence and requires approximately 25% of the time be spent in the field in inclement weather and on rough terrain. Candidates should be self-starters and team players.
Essential Duties

• Following NRCS standards and specifications, provide planning and design for engineered practices such as waste management, animal waste management, erosion control, flood control, wetland creation or restoration, and other conservation practices needing engineering guidance.
• Interpret plans and specifications for contractors.
• Perform site investigations and field construction checks for conservation practice installations.
• Determine the type, scope, and intensity of field investigations and surveys needed for practice implementation.
• Direct and prepare designs, preliminary and final drawings and specifications on complex engineering practices.
• Review and check engineering planning, design, and construction work of staff with lesser NRCS Engineering Job Approval Authority.
• Provide technical guidance and training to staff on engineering practices and in the use and care of engineering equipment.
• Participate in regional and statewide conservation programs and trainings as related to erosion, sedimentation, and nutrient impacts to natural resources.
• Have familiarity with traditional and emerging agricultural engineering practices, as well as all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Be knowledgeable of commonly referenced regulations, in particular the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law, Chapters 91 (Manure Management), 102 (Erosion and Sedimentation Control), 105 (Dam Safety and Waterway Management), and Act 38 (Nutrient Management).
• Become familiar and proficient in the use of computer programs used in the design of agricultural plans and best management practices, such as AutoCAD, Worldview PracticeKeeper, and Conservation Desktop.
• Attend required trainings.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly reports to Agricultural Team Leader
• Perform other duties and tasks, as required.

Qualifications/Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Possess a BS in Civil and/or Environmental Engineering from an accredited college or university.
• Have at least five years of experience in natural resource conservation or similar fields.
• Possess an up-to-date Professional Engineer's license valid in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Experience with AutoCAD.
• Experience and understanding of surveying fundamentals, including total station survey and GPS survey.
• Ability to mentor and train co-workers in the fundamentals of sound nutrient management and erosion and sedimentation control principles.
• Proficient in training others on all technical aspects required of position.
• Mastery of public speaking on core CCCD outreach issues.
• Attendance at professional development classes, as recommended by the District Director.
• Attendance at mandatory Chesco trainings.
• Good analytical and mathematical skills.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Must understand requisite laws and practices.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Good conflict resolution skills.
• Knowledge and use of digital photography.
• A valid driver's license is required.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience:

• Knowledge of local, state and federal laws.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Accurate and detail-oriented.
• Easily adapts to changes in work environment.
• Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.

Additional Information

Computer Skills:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have:

• Strong Word skills
• Strong Excel skills
• Strong PowerPoint skills
• Strong Outlook skills (Email and Calendar)
• Bitmap and .jpg usage
• Strong AutoCAD and ArcGIS skills

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; kneel, stoop, crouch or squat; drive a personal vehicle; and talk or hear. Occasionally, the employee will need to reach or work with arms above shoulder height and crawl or climb stairs. On rare occasions, the employee will need to bend at the waist or work bent at the waist; climb stairs; push, lift or carry heavy items; and work with machinery.

The special vision requirements listed for this position are:

• Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less)
• Distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or less)

Work Environment:

• The position is flexible with a combination of remote work and on-site presence and requires approximately 25% of the time be spent in the field in inclement weather and on rough terrain and working around heavy equipment at construction sites.
• The noise level in the work environment will vary by location from moderate to loud.

Other:

• This position requires professionalism.
• Must be able to drive to and from various sites.
• Ability to work extended hours, as necessary.

The County of Chester offers comprehensive benefits to our employees.

01

Do you have a BS (Bachelor of Science) in Civil and/or Environmental Engineering from an accredited college or university?

• Yes
• No
• I have a degree in a similar field not listed.

02

How many years of conservation, agricultural, natural resources or related experience do you have?

• None
• less than 1
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9

03

Do you have experience with AutoCAD?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess an up-to-date Professional Engineer's license valid in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have a current and valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

Required Question