County Conservationist

Status: Full Time, ExemptStarting Wage Range: $44.76/hr. - $49.33/hr. Department: Land and Water ConservationPosition Open Until Filled - Application Review Date: November 12, 2025Please submit a Cover Letter and Resume with application

Dodge County offers a generous benefits package including:

• Paid Time Off (PTO) - available for use after 30 days of employment
• 10 observed paid holidays
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) - with employer contributions - HRA
• Life insurance, Long-term disability, Short-term disability and Flex spending
• Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) - an exceptional pension plan with employer match (upon vesting) and lifetime retirement payment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Provides leadership in attracting, retaining, and developing an engaged workforce in the delivery of superior services to County residents and businesses.
2. Directs the work of and manages the staff of the Land Conservation Department. Interviews and selects new employees. Provides training and instructions and ongoing training needs. Assigns tasks, reviews work and prepares performance evaluations. Recommends employee transfers, promotions, disciplinary action, and discharge.
3. Provides leadership and management to all assigned staff. Audits work on a regular basis to ensure adherence to pertinent regulations. Directs staff on complex work and interpreting the application of policy and procedure.
4. Oversees the proper administration of all County and State conservation programs and activities.
5. Researches, recommends, develops and implements policy and procedures for program effectiveness.
6. Develops work plans and strategies to meet operational needs--both short-term and long-term; develops and directs the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards to ensure success. Ensures proper implementation and County conforms to related legislative requirements.
7. Compiles statistics and analyzes data to monitor program performance, services, resource availability, and staffing needs.
8. Manages related grant application development and administration.
9. Develops and recommends the annual budget for the Department to the County Administrator; forecasts necessary funding for staff, equipment, capital improvement projects, and other material needs. Monitors budget, contracts, services, and other factors to ensure compliance; identifies problem areas and recommends refinements.
10. Produces necessary reports for County, State and Federal agencies.
11. Directs staff technical assistance to other municipalities within the County as needed.
12. Communicates and coordinates department operations with clients and customers.
13. Reports and presents as needed to the County Administrator, governing committee, and County Board on related operations and services.
14. Responds to program customers and the general public regarding complaints, questions, requests for information, problem resolution and customer service.
15. Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED JOB COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of soil and water conservation practices.
• Knowledge of County, State and Federal land use regulatory agency operations, duties and responsibilities.
• Knowledge of farming and agricultural practices.
• Knowledge of land surveying.
• Knowledge of the County and Department's operating requirements, policies, procedures, and practices; and local, State, and Federal regulations related to department programs and operations.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of budgeting, fiscal management, project management principles and techniques.
• Ability to effectively utilize the principles of strategic and long and short-range planning.
• Skill in analyzing complex administrative information and issues, defining problems, and evaluating alternatives and recommending methods, procedures and techniques for resolution of issues.
• Ability to research and analyze detailed information and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to develop department goals and objectives.
• Ability to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate projects and programs.
• Ability to develop, interpret and implement regulations, policies, procedures, written instructions, general correspondence, and other department specific documents.
• Ability to prepare, recommend and monitor an operating budget, including line-item budgeting.
• Knowledge of management and supervisory practices & principles, including the ability to make final employment recommendations, preparing performance evaluations, managing time-off, and maintaining personnel records.
• Ability to adapt and take control of situations, dictating subordinate activities in a responsible manner.
• Ability to instruct and train in methods and procedures.
• Ability to organize, assign, and modify the work assignment of others, and (re)-establish priorities to meet deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
• Ability to interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Skill in organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits requiring minimal direction and supervision.
• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
• Knowledge of current office practices and procedures and knowledge of the operation of standard office equipment and software.
• Knowledge of computer software including word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications consistent for this position.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations required of this position.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively in English in both written and verbal form.
• Skill in researching and understanding complex written materials.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.
• Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems, and interpreting policies and regulations.
• Ability to communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations calmly and tactfully.
• Ability to maintain professionalism at all times.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports, and conversations, within the provisions of open records laws and other applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy office setting.
• Work has some exposure to outdoor environmental conditions.

Dodge County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page: Accessibility Accommodation for Applicants

Bachelors (required)

3 years: Previous supervisory experience. (required)
Previous project management experience. (required)
5 years: Professional level experience in soil/water conservation practices or agriculture science application. Equivalent combination of education and experience which provides necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered. (required)
Bachelor's Degree Agricultural Sciences, Soil and Water Conservation, Soil Science or related field. (required)