Overview
Work for Indiana
Grow your career with the State of Indiana! With more than 50 executive branch agencies, the State of Indiana is a diverse workforce offering employees stimulating and challenging projects across a broad scope of career opportunities. As a State of Indiana employee, you impact the well-being of Indiana’s communities every day.
At the State of Indiana, we don’t just talk about diversity and inclusion – Our goal is to create a welcoming, accessible, and equitable workplace, with a workforce that is representative of the State of Indiana population. As a proud equal opportunity employer, reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process, as well as perform the essential functions of a role.
Next Level benefits at the State of Indiana are here! Be sure to review our expanded benefit package offerings below.
About the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA):
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture was established as a separate state agency by the Legislature in 2005. The Director of ISDA is appointed by the Governor and is a member of the Governor’s Cabinet. The ISDA’s vision is to be a global leader in innovation and commercialization for food, fuel, and fiber production. For more info click this link: http://www.in.gov/isda/3240.htm
Salary:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $53,222.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.
Role Overview:
The specialist serves at the senior level in the Division of Soil Conservation as a regional program support specialist, providing direct assistance to soil and water conservation districts in program planning and development, leadership development, education, and outreach. The incumbent assists districts and its many conservation partners in carrying out conservation programs to address soil, water, and related natural resource concerns. Incumbent also provides training and administrative guidance to Soil and Water Conservation Districts through the Soil and Water Conservation Act (IC 14-32). The office and work location are flexible. The District Support Specialist will serve the following counties: Wells, Adams, Blackford, Jay, Delaware, Randolph, Henry, Wayne, Shelby, Rush, Fayette, Union, Bartholomew, Decatur, Franklin, Ripley, Dearborn, Ohio, and Switzerland.
Introduction:
The District Support Specialist serves at the senior level in the Division of Soil Conservation as a regional program support specialist, providing direct assistance to soil and water conservation districts in program planning and development, leadership development, education, and outreach. The District Support Specialist assists districts and their many conservation partners in carrying out conservation programs to address soil, water, and related natural resource concerns. The District Support Specialist also provides training and administrative guidance to Soil and Water Conservation Districts through the Soil and Water Conservation Act (IC 14-32).
About the Job:
– Encourages and facilitates multi-SWCD program efforts.
– Works with districts and conservation partners in the development of effective regional educational programs regarding the impact of soil erosion on soil productivity, off-site sedimentation damage, and water quality, with an emphasis on effective conservation practices to reduce adverse effects.
– Develops, conducts, and/or arranges professional training for SWCD supervisors and employees to strengthen district(s) capacity for fulfilling their legislative mandates and improving soil, water, and related natural resource conditions in their respective communities.
– Coordinates aspects of event planning and management
– Provides administrative guidance to SWCDs concerning records, annual meetings, program planning, supervisor elections and appointments, personnel and financial management, and compliance with applicable federal or state laws or administrative code requirements.
– Provides leadership to SWCDs and other conservation partners for the assessment of local soil and water conservation issues and needs and in formulating long-range business plans and annual program plans to address local and regional soil and water conservation issues and needs.
– Develops tools for districts to use to document the value of conservation services provided by districts and their partners as well as the economic and societal benefits to their respective counties.
– Helps identify opportunities for expanding district capacity and provides leadership in developing and carrying out pilot projects with districts to demonstrate those opportunities.
– Works with districts and their respective county officials to increase local funding for staffing and other resources needed to carry out effective local conservation programs and assists districts in establishing new partners to advance their local conservation programs.
– Assist districts in developing mutual agreements, contracts for services, grants, and other nontraditional sources of funding to support their expanding responsibilities to serve as the local clearinghouse for conservation assistance as well as increase technical assistance to land users.
– Assists DSC leadership in the implementation of the f ICP Strategic Plan, and the SSCB in the n implementation of the SSCB Business Plan, coordinating SWCD support for the plans’ successes and increasing conservation implementation.
– Works with ISDA staff to compile Clean Water Indiana grant reports (total spending, BMPs installed, leveraging information, and statistical analysis) and presents to State Soil Conservation Board and Indiana Conservation Partnership.
– Works in conjunction with District Support Specialists, ISDA Staff, and the State Soil Conservation Board to encourage successful SWCD participation in the Clean Water Indiana grant program (e.g. competitive grants, training reimbursement, $10k matching program), foster communication between agencies, and distribute relevant guidance/information.
Draft written communications from SSCB to SWCDs and the Indiana Conservation Partnership.
Work with ISDA District Support Specialists and ISDA Staff to compile financial information to submit claims to accounting for Clean Water Indiana grant payments.
– Works with ISDA Districts Support Specialists & ISDA staff to audit Clean Water Indiana grant reports and grantees to ensure project deliverables are within n original scope and funds are spent according to grant guidelines.
A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:
- Encourage and facilitate multi-SWCD program efforts.
- Work with districts and conservation partners in the development of effective regional educational programs regarding the impact of soil erosion on soil productivity, off-site sedimentation damage, and water quality, with emphasis on effective conservation implantation to reduce adverse effects.
- Develop, conduct, and/or arrange for the professional training for SWCD supervisors and employees to strengthen district(s) capacity for fulfilling their legislative mandates and improving soil, water, and related natural resource conditions in their respective communities.
- Provide administrative guidance to SWCDs concerning records, annual meetings, program planning, supervisor elections and appointments, personnel and financial management, and compliance with applicable federal or state laws or administrative code requirements.
- Provide leadership to SWCDs and other conservation partners for the assessment of local soil and water conservation issues and needs and in formulating long-range business plans and annual program plans to address local and regional soil and water conservation issues and needs.
- Help identify opportunities for expanding district capacity and provide leadership in developing and carrying out pilot projects with districts to demonstrate those opportunities.
- Work with districts and their respective county officials to increase local funding for staffing and other resources needed to carry out effective local conservation programs and assist districts in establishing new partners to advance their local conservation programs.
- Assist districts in developing mutual agreements, contracts for services, grants, and other nontraditional sources of funding to support their expanding responsibilities to serve as the local clearinghouse for conservation assistance as well as increase technical assistance to land users.
- Develop tools for districts to use to document the value of conservation services provided by districts and their partners as well as the economic and societal benefits to their respective counties.
- Assist DSC leadership in the implementation of the ICP Strategic Plan, coordinating SWCD support for Strategic Plan success and increasing conservation implementation for local landowners.
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time.
What You’ll Need for Success:
You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment:
- Specialized knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of erosion and sediment control and related water quality considerations.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize variable workload.
- Ability to prepare and present educational/informational materials to various types of audiences.
- Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations pertaaboutral resource issues.
- Advanced knowledge of divisional and departmental policies, procedures, and objectives.
- Knowledge of SWCD legal structure, functionality, and mission.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
This role does not provide direct supervision to direct reports.
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees which includes:
- Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
- Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
- Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
- Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities
- Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match
- Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
- A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
- 150 hours of paid new parent leave
- Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
- Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
- 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Group life insurance
- Referral Bonus program
- Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
- Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Free Parking for most positions
- Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of employer-employee relations without discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. We will comply with the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable state and federal laws.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation in completing this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
The State of Indiana has established a culture that welcomes equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all employees and applicants. We encourage you to apply if you feel you have the transferrable skills to be successful in this position and we look forward to reviewing your application.
