Opening Date: October 11, 2023
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
Position Title: Natural Resource Specialist IV-Conservation Planner
Number of Positions: Five (5)
Group/Class: 2685 / B21
Monthly Salary: $5,301.00

Work Location: Service areas will be determined by a number of factors including
candidate preference and willingness to relocate, project priority areas, agency regional
office locations, and location of project participants. TSSWCB will assign all selected
candidates to an agency regional office for administrative support. Service areas will be
negotiated cooperatively with selected candidates. Qualified individuals interested in
these positions should apply as the TCSI is a statewide project.

Travel: EXTENSIVE: These positions will be engaged directly with each project
participant on their property numerous times during the project period.

Reports to: TSSWCB’s Texas Climate-Smart Initiative Project Manager

Position Description: The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB)
is seeking applicants for five (5) positions to serve as Climate-Smart Conservation
Planners in support of 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.

Planners hired through this announcement 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. The primary function of the planners will be climate-smart conservation
plan development, therefore, experience in soil health and other climate smart practices
will be important during candidate selection.

Planners may be required to utilize the USDA-NRCS CarbOn Management & Emissions
Tool (COMET) to estimate greenhouse gas emissions reductions and carbon
sequestration benefits (training will be provided).

Planners will be involved in providing consultation on climate-smart planning options for
participants, particularly when calculating incentive payment amounts during
contracting. Planners will also coordinate status reviews and performance certifications
prior to payment distribution.

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 possess a Level III planning certification from USDA-NRCS (formerly
known as Certified Conservation Planner). This planner certification builds on the Level
I coursework with additional AgLearn courses and three in-person courses requiring
space reservations to attend.

NRCS planner level certifications and requirements may be viewed at this website:
https://www.wactd.org/certification/nrcs-certification

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.
Planners may be required to utilize the USDA-NRCS COMET tool to estimate
greenhouse gas emissions reductions and carbon sequestration benefits (training will
be provided).

Planners 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 general knowledge of local, state, federal laws related to
TSSWCB program areas.

Extensive 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.

Applicants must possess a Level III certification from USDA-NRCS (formerly known as
Certified Conservation Planner). This planner certification builds on the Level I
coursework with additional AgLearn courses and three in-person courses requiring
space reservations to attend.

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_ProgramManag
ement.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

These temporary positions exist 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.

Applicants must understand these are TEMPORARY positions that 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.