Functional Purpose:

The Conservation Planner will assist in the development of Whole Farm Plans (WFP) with priority given to properties applying to the WAC Conservation Easement Program, or properties with WAC Conservation Easements that require revisions to their WFPs, within the West of Hutson (WoH) Watershed region of the New York City drinking water supply.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in agronomy, environmental science, agriculture, natural resource management or related disciplines (i.e. biological sciences). Substitution of an Associate’s Degree in similar field of study and at least two years relevant field experience will be considered. Examples of relevant experience may include farming, farm management, environmental monitoring or crop advising.
• Knowledge of Conservation Easements and /or State or local land use laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service conservation practice standards.
• Knowledge of farming practices on dairy, horse and/or other livestock or crop operations.
• Computer knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point.
• Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems and Arc Map preferred.
• Must have a valid and current driver’s license.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Primarily develop/maintain WFP’s (new and revised) to support the WAC Easement Program work plan and yearly goals for WAC participants/landowners who are interested in pursuing a WAC conservation easement or require a revision to an existing WFP on a WAC conservation easement encumbered property. Secondarily support the Watershed Agricultural Program (WAP, if time permits, through development /maintenance of WFP.
• Conduct Environmental Review and Problem Diagnosis and/or by utilizing the AEM assessment and planning process for development of WFP.
• Develop nonstructural BMPs on farms such as pasture management plans, prescribed grazing plans and waste utilization plans and educate landowners on their benefits and fully explain the requirements for their successful implementation.
• Coordinate with Program participants and engineers to file application for necessary State, Local and Federal permits and obtain signatures as required for implementation of certain Best Management Practices (BMP’s) and track the permit review and issuance process.
• Coordinate with Easement Program Stewardship Specialist to identify conservation easement restricted farms that require revisions to WFPs identified during Annual Status Reviews on farms with Whole Farm Plans conducted by the Easement Program Stewardship Specialist.
• Develop GIS maps using Arc View that denote fields, soil types, water resources and topography to include in management plans.
• Ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing.

Reporting Responsibilities:

• Works under the direct supervision of the WoH Agricultural Program Manager or his/her designee.
• Works in an interagency team setting to develop whole farm plans and nutrient management plans.
• Assignment of tasks is coordinated by the Easement Program Manager through the Agricultural Program Manager.
• Performance evaluation is the responsibility of the Agricultural Program Manager with input from the Easement Program Manager. It will be primarily based upon completion of tasks assigned through the Easement Program.

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