Job Description

Posting number: OSWC-50698240-8.17.26-TW

Department: DAF-Agriculture and Forestry

Job classification: AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST 1

Posting type: Open

Categories: Agriculture

Job #OSWC-50698240-8.17.26-TW

Ready to make a meaningful impact on Louisiana’s workforce? Join the Office of Soil and Water Conservation as an Agricultural Environmental Specialist! Support the office’s mission by supporting the conservation of water quality and soil health and stability on croplands, woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, and waterways throughout Louisiana. Incumbent of this position will provide operational support to the Office of Soil & Water (LDAF-OSWC) within the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry for conservation of water quality, and soil health and stability on croplands, woodlands, grasslands, wetlands and waterways of Louisiana by providing financial assistance, administrative support and centralized coordination to the State’s 44 Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCDs) who work with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to provide conservation planning services for landowners and managers.

Why Join the Office of Soil and Water Conservation?
• Serve a mission-driven organization focused on conserving Louisiana’s soil and water resources
• Receive competitive compensation and a comprehensive state benefits package
• Contribute to initiatives that enhance workplace culture and employee experience
• Work as part of a collaborative and supportive team

Selected Core Competencies:
Demonstrating Accountability The ability to take ownership of actions, behaviors, performance, decisions, and outcomes.
Developing Plans The ability to create structured strategies and plans that support the achievement of defined goals and objectives.
Managing Projects The ability to plan, implement, and close out project initiatives by coordinating people, resources, and timelines to achieve defined outcomes.

Communicating Effectively The ability to convey information, ideas, and emotions using structured communication methods that promote understanding and engagement.
Managing Budgets The ability to plan, monitor, and adjust budgets to meet goals, ensure compliance, and promote financial transparency.
Managing Programs The ability to plan, execute, monitor, and evaluate programs to achieve strategic objectives and long-term outcomes.
Managing Time The ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and allocate time to ensure timely completion of work goals.

LDAF cares about the well-being of its employees! We offer a fully employer-funded Employee Assistance Program (EAP), providing valuable support and resources to help you and your household members thrive at work and at home. The EAP is also free for all members of your household.

Examples of duties

Three years of experience in agriculture, chemistry, natural resource management, structural pest control, or inspection or enforcement for compliance with agricultural, environmental, or public health laws, rules or regulations; OR

A bachelor's degree in forestry, an agricultural, biological, chemical, environmental science, or engineering field.

Qualifications

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here

Supplemental information

Job Duties:

• Provides programmatic technical support to the statewide Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCD).
• Meets with SWCD boards at their regular monthly board meetings to develop and maintain local conservation programs.
• Works with USDA-NRCS, LDAF-OSWC, LDEQ and SWCD staff and private landowners to administer watershed specific programs such as the PL-566 Watershed Protection & Flood Prevention Program.
• Performs resource inventories on private land for conservation plan development and conservation program guidance, assists AES Manager and others with development of watershed-based work plans.
• Reviews monthly District board meeting minutes and required attachments for supporting items and information to gauge levels of local SWCD interaction and conservation initiative progression.
• Works with private landowners and agricultural processing facility managers to develop Agricultural Solid Waste Management Program best management practice plans.
• Maintains and enhances established LDAF-OSWC/SWCD environmental conservation education and outreach programs and networks by promoting and conducting LA Project WET (Water education for Teachers) and other educational workshops and initiatives.

Functional Requirements:

• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds routinely, with occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds, including equipment, computers, luggage, scanners, and other fieldwork materials.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, including up to eight hours, and occasionally walk over irregular terrain.
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods at a workstation or in a vehicle while traveling.
• Ability to climb stairs and occasionally ladders; bend, kneel, reach above shoulder height, and perform other physical activities as required.
• Ability to safely operate a vehicle, truck, trailer, and outboard boat/motor as necessary to perform job duties.
• Ability to perform occasional strenuous physical activities for extended periods and safely handle specialized equipment.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others and effectively communicate with the public, including through public speaking.

Environmental Factors:

• Work may be performed indoors, outdoors, and in remote or immersed wetland environments, including walking long distances over slippery, uneven, or irregular terrain.
• May be exposed to varying environmental conditions, including extreme heat, cold, humidity, wet or dry conditions, smoke, dust, and grain dust.
• May be exposed to agricultural hazards, including animal odors, chemicals, fertilizers, and other agricultural materials.
• May occasionally work around residential and wildland hazards and may be required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment.

Position-Specific Details:
Appointment Type:

• Full-time, This position may be filled by Job Appointment, temporary appointment that may last up to 4 years.

Career Progression This position may be filled as an Agricultural Environmental Specialist 1, 2, or 3.
Compensation The salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience.
Location: This position is located within the Office of Soil and Water Conservation. This position may be domiciled in the Jennings or Crowley LA area.

How To Apply:
No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

* Information to support your eligibility for this job title must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

For further information about this vacancy, please contact:

Tiffany Waddell - HR Analyst
Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry
5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 1001
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
twaddell@ldaf.state.la.us