Opening Date: October 11, 2023 

Closing Date: Open Until Filled 

Position Title: Natural Resource Specialist IV-Project Manager 

Number of Positions: One (1) 

Group/Class: 2685 / B21 

Monthly Salary: $6,968.00 

Work Location: Headquarters, Temple, Texas 

Travel: As needed. 

Reports to: On-The-Ground Program Manager 

Position Description: The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB)  is seeking applicants for one position to serve as Project Manager for the TSSWCB’s  contracted role in the Texas Climate-Smart Initiative (TCSI). The TCSI is a statewide  multiagency initiative lead by Texas A&M AgriLife Research that is seeking to incentivize climate-smart conservation practice implementation across the state. Funding for the  TCSI is being provided by the United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) through Texas A&M AgriLife Research  to the TSSWCB. 

Position Term: Funding for these TEMPORARY positions will terminate on May 29,2028 along with the positions. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES 

Performs advanced (senior-level) natural resources work. Work involves overseeing  and/or performing conservation, management, protection, preservation, or utilization of  natural resources work of the TSSWCB. The TCSI will expand markets for climate smart commodities, leverage the greenhouse gas benefits of climate-smart commodity  production, and provide direct, meaningful benefits to production agriculture, including  for small and underserved producers. 

Position will supervise and coordinate five conservation planners hired through the TCSI  that will be involved in recruiting participation in the project, as well as facilitating the 

completion and submittal of applications, conservation plans, contracts, and on-site  meetings for preliminary planning discussions. 

Position will coordinate the activities performed by the conservation planners such as  providing consultation on climate-smart planning options for participants, particularly  when calculating incentive payment amounts during contracting. Position will also  coordinate status reviews and performance certifications prior to payment distribution. 

Position will oversee project budget management and coordinate with TCSI partners. EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED 

Participates in the recruitment of participants for the TCSI. 

Facilitates the completion and submittal of project applications. 

Consults with participants on planning options and impacts to potential incentive  payments. 

Conducts planning discussions with participants and develops a climate-smart  conservation plan that results in increased climate-smart conservation practice  implementation. 

Utilizes the USDA-NRCS COMET Model; training will be offered through project  partners. 

Participates in the ranking of TCSI applications. 

Facilitates the completion of project contracting for each participant, including the final  payment schedule and contract terms. 

Schedules and performs performance certifications and status reviews to measure  adherence to the climate-smart conservation plan implementation schedule and terms  of the contract. 

Performs other duties as assigned. 

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION 

Applicants should have at least 5-years experience in natural resources conservation  fieldwork involving the development and implementations of conservation plans and  have graduated from a college or university with a degree in agriculture or a natural  science field. 

Applicants must be certified as Level II Conservation Planners by the USDA-NRCS as  defined by their National Planning Procedures Handbook.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

Selected applicants will be those familiar with USDA-NRCS climate-smart mitigation  categories, particularly soil health, agroforestry, and forestry, and the specific conservation practices associated with them. Specific practices include, but are not  limited to, conservation cover, conservation crop rotation, residue and tillage  management (no-till and reduced till), cover crop, filter strips, nutrient management,  waste separator facilities, pasture and hay planting, irrigation water management,  wetlands restoration, and a variety of forestry-related practices. 

Applicants should be familiar with the traditional conservation planning partnership in  Texas between 216 local soil and water conservation districts, the Texas NRCS, and the  TSSWCB. Additionally, applicants should have the ability to communicate (in-person)  directly with landowners and agricultural producers about their current activities and the  potential impacts of a climate-smart conservation plan on their existing operations. 

Applicants must be able to keep records of meetings, sufficient to document participant  planning decisions, and produce a physical conservation plan formatted to TSSWCB  specifications. Applicants must be able to coordinate their activities with multiple TCSI  partners as well as other TSSWCB program staff and local soil and water conservation  districts. 

Applicants should have experience managing grants and contracts and monitoring  project budgets. 

Applicants should have experience supervising staff and coordinating their activities  toward the completion of project goals. 

Applicants should have general knowledge of local, state, federal laws related to  TSSWCB program areas. 

Travel is required, as well as the availability to work extended and/or irregular hours.  

Excellent written and verbal communications skills are required along with the ability to  work in an office and outdoor environments. Knowledge of computer software programs  and other office equipment is needed. 

Incumbent must be able to safely and legally operate a motor vehicle, safely accomplish  moderate lifting (15 to 44lbs), maintain moderate physical activity with full range of  motion and possess the ability to work alone and as a member of a group. 

REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION, OR LICENSURE 

Must have or obtain a valid Driver’s License.

Must be certified as a Level II Conservation Planner by the USDA-NRCS as defined by  their National Planning Procedures Handbook. 

APPLICATION PROCESS 

A completed, signed State of Texas application for Employment is required for this  position. Mail  

an original application to the address below. Resumes may be submitted but will not be  accepted in lieu of the application. A State of Texas application for Employment may  also be completed on the WorkInTexas website at http://www.workintexas.com. 

For additional information, visit our website at http://www.tsswcb.texas.gov or contact: 

Human Resource Department 

Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board 1497 Country View Lane Temple, TX 76504-8806 

Veteran’s Preference 

Veterans or members of the Reserve or National Guard with an MOS or additional  duties that fall in the fields of OS, YN, YNS, 611X, 612X, 641X, OSS or other related  fields pertaining to the minimum experience requirements may meet the  minimum qualifications. Additional Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at:  https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_ProgramManagement.pdf 

Selection Information 

Criminal background checks maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety  (DPS) will be  

conducted before an offer of employment is extended. Evidence of a criminal conviction  or other relevant information obtained from the DPS shall not automatically disqualify an  individual from employment with the TSSWCB. 

At the time of hire, selected applicants must show proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. All males who are age  18 through 25 and are required to register with the Selective Service may be asked to  present proof of registration or exemption from registration upon hire. 

TSSWCB participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration  (SSA) and, if  

necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each  new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

****Important Notice**** 

This temporary position exists due to Federal Grant funds available to the Texas State  Soil and Water Conservation Board toward the execution of the provisions of an  interagency contract with Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the lead entity administering  the Texas Climate-Smart Initiative.  

The Texas Climate-Smart Initiative is a grant project funded by USDA-NRCS’  Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Grant Announcement USDA-NRCS COMM-22-NOFO0001139.  

These TEMPORARY positions will terminate on May 29, 2028. Applicants should  realize that, if selected, their employment may terminate with the unexpected  cancellation of federal grant funds prior to May 29, 2028. 

All other employment policies and procedures are the same as those that apply to all  Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board employees. 

The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board is an equal opportunity employer  and does not discriminate against job applicants or employees on the basis of race,  color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability. In compliance with the Americans  with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you require reasonable accommodation in the interview  and selection process, please call the agency’s ADA Coordinator at (254)773-2250×227.