Position Opens: October 23, 2024

Application Review: Position open until filled; Priority will be given to applicants who apply before 11:59 PM, November 17, 2024.  Interviews likely the week of December 2-6.

Position Status: Full time (36-40 hrs/week), At-will, Non-exempt

Pay Range: $24.50-$27.50/hour

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, employee assistance program, short term disability, life insurance, retirement contribution; paid vacation, paid wellness leave, 11 paid holidays/yr.   

Office Location: Corvallis, Oregon; potential for hybrid telework/office work option

Reports to: Natural Resource Conservation Program Manager

Desired Start Date: Anticipated start date early to mid-January 2025

Welcome to Benton Soil and Water Conservation District (BSWCD)

BSWCD has been growing relationships between people and place since 1956!  We are a Special District governed by a publicly elected Board of Directors and supported through a property tax levy, grants, and other local, state, federal, and private funds. Our talented staff of 7 people engage Benton County residents in the conservation and stewardship of natural resources by providing educational, technical, and/or financial assistance. Overarching themes for our strategic direction through 2027 are climate, targeted community impact, equity, and collaborative leadership. We work with a diverse array of dedicated and enthusiastic partner organizations, land managers, and volunteers to achieve our mission and meet the needs of our community. Join our team if you are passionate about natural resource conservation and making a difference in your community!

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ)

BSWCD is committed to fostering a work environment that is inclusive, collaborative, and welcoming. We strive to apply an equity focus to our policies, practices, procedures, and programs. We are working to identify and remove barriers to access our services and provide opportunities for all members of our community to engage in and benefit from the conservation and stewardship of our natural resources. Our DEIJ journey is continually evolving as we learn and grow together as individual staff and board members, and as an organization.

About the Resource Conservationist (RC) Position

The RC’s duties focus on agricultural water quality in the rural areas of Benton County working with farmers, ranchers, woodland owners, and other land managers on voluntary conservation projects.

• The RC will work with land managers on resource concerns occurring on private land and develop solutions with conservation practices.  The RC will work with local partners and contractors to derive these solutions and to implement projects that address the concerns. 
• The RC will provide leadership at the District in managing large-scale, multi-year grants or programs in coordination with state and federal agencies such as Oregon Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board.
• The RC will work with land managers on conservation planning that will address resource concerns and opportunities on properties over multiple year timelines.
• The RC will work collaboratively with other staff at Benton SWCD to assist with District programs and be innovative in creating new programs and opportunities for new audiences who will engage in conservation in Benton County

 APPLICATION DEADLINE

 For full consideration, apply before 11:59 PM, November 17, 2024.  Application review begins immediately following this deadline.  The position is open until filled so potential candidates may check our website to see if we are still accepting applications. Please submit all application materials requested.

HOW TO APPLY

Visit this link for the full Resource Conservationist position description

 Submit all application materials below in hardcopy or electronic form:

• Cover letter describing your qualifications for and interest in the Resource Conservationist position. Please explain how you personally connect with the BSWCD mission, and the skills you would use to be successful in this job.
• Resume (include your email address and phone number in the header).
• Three professional references, at least one of which is a past supervisor (please indicate which reference is/was a supervisor).

Send electronic submissions to: Applications@bentonswcd.org with the subject heading Resource Conservationist Application. Attach all application materials as a single PDF.

OR

Mail hard copy application materials to:

Attn: Michael Ahr

Benton Soil and Water Conservation District

136 SW Washington Avenue; Suite 201

Corvallis, Oregon 97333

Finalists will be contacted for an interview and will need to complete an additional application form before the interview. We will notify all applicants when a decision has been made. The hire will be dependent on passing a criminal history and driving record check. Thank you for your interest in this position and for taking your valuable time to apply for a job with Benton Soil and Water Conservation District!

Studies have shown that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), women, and other marginalized groups are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and qualifications and how not only your professional and educational experiences, but traditional, lived, and volunteer experiences contribute to meeting qualifications.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Benton SWCD is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, military service, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal/retaliation for prior civil rights activity, or any other non-merit factor.

Applicants who need reasonable accommodation to participate in any phase of the application process may call Candace Mackey at 541-753-7208; extension 200.

Veteran’s Preference. Oregon law requires that public employers grant certain preferences in the hiring and promotion of veterans and disabled veterans. These basic provisions include the right to an interview in most cases and a selection procedure that provides a preference to qualified veterans at each stage of the hiring process. Eligible military veterans who meet the qualifications will be given Veterans' Preference. If you indicated that you are a veteran, for the Veterans’ Preference to apply we must receive your military documents, normally at the time of application but no later than at the time of the interview. Click on this link for more information and to view our full Veteran’s Preference Policy.

For more information, see: https://www.oregon.gov/boli/workers/pages/veterans-preference.aspx