Careers - Berks County Conservation District

Current Opportunities

Urban Agriculture Resource Conservationist (Part Time)

General Statement of Duties

As an Urban Agriculture Resource Conservationist (UARC), you will be working closely with partnering agencies, garden organizations, as well as the City of Reading to administer the Urban Ag Conservation Initiative.

The UARC is immediately supervised by the Ag Team Supervisor and is ultimately accountable to the District Executive, Office Manager and the Berks County Conservation District (BCCD) Board of Directors.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The position will be responsible for implementing three grants: NACD Urban Agriculture Conservation Initiative, USDA Equity in Conservation Outreach Agreement, and the PDA Infrastructure grant. The position will be a part-time position over 3 years, ending in October 2026, with the potential to be renewed. The position will work approximately 20 hours per week, not to exceed 1000 hours per year at a rate of $22 per hour ($22,000/year)

Primary Responsibilities:

NACD Urban Ag Conservation Initiative grant:

Through the NACD Urban Agriculture Conservation Initiative, provide direct technical support to enhance urban agriculture in the City of Reading in the following areas:

• Coordinate with City wide task force partners (Environmental Advisory Council, Berks Nature, Penn State Extensions, non-profits and food distributors etc.)

• Evaluate and prioritize vacant city lots for garden transition and/or stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) implementation.

• Soil health, testing, and conservation in urban gardens

• Water conservation within urban communities

• Evaluate the feasibility of future funding and programs for the City’s greenhouse, urban agriculture community center, and other agricultural initiatives.

• Address food deserts & insecurity USDA Equity n Conservation Outreach Agreement grant:

• Create and establish a demonstration garden in the City of Reading

• Provide technical support and educational assistance

• Conduct workshops to promote conservation practices

• Conduct classroom type training sessions to educate students on NRCS/USDA and conservation career opportunities within the Reading School District

• Create a resource guide for beginning urban farmers

PDA Infrastructure grant:

• Utilize funding to support urban gardening initiatives

• Provide technical assistance and support to implement agricultural infrastructure improvements

• Develop educational signage for the gardens developed using the funding

• Conduct container garden workshops for city residents

Report management:

• Complete quarterly, and annual progress reports for the NACD Urban Ag Conservation Initiative Grant, PDA Infrastructure grant and the USDA Equity in Conservation Outreach grant.

• Complete monthly board reports

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Spanish Language Proficiency is preferred, but not necessary.

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy, Environmental Resources Management, Environmental Science, Agricultural Engineering, or a related subject. Extensive agricultural experience may qualify, in place of or combined with, college experience, at the discretion of the BCCD.

• One to three years of combined knowledge and experience in gardening practices or agricultural

experience is preferred, but not necessary. Support will be provided to lesser experienced individuals.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:

• Knowledge in related coursework in horticulture, soils, land use, geography, and/or ecology.

• Ability to organize and prioritize effectively.

• Ability to show initiative in completing tasks with minimal supervision.

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

• Ability to establish effective working relationships with various organizations, age groups, and educations levels.

• Working knowledge of basic computer operation and software.

• Valid driver’s license.

• Ability to traverse difficult terrain in both rural and urban environments.

• Ability to work outdoors in a variety of seasons and weather conditions.

Working Environment

• Approximately 50% of the work for this position is expected to be carried out in the field.

• Remainder of work location will be in-office work, located at 1238 County Welfare Road, Leesport, PA or a work from home option is available.

This position description serves as a guideline for communication of the essential functions and other information about the position to the applicant/employee. It is not intended to create a binding employment contract nor cover every detail of the position and may be changed by the District Executive and/or the BCCD Board of Directors.

To apply, email your resume to tammy.bartsch@berkscd.com.

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There is one position on the Ag Team for either a Nutrient Management Specialist or an Agriculture Resource Conservationist.

Below is the job description for each position.

Agriculture Resource Conservationist

General Statement of Duties

Berks County Conservation District (BCDD) Agriculture Resource Conservationists (ARC) assist landowners within Berks County with needs determination, design, layout and installation of agricultural best management practices (BMPs) which will help protect the soil and water resources of Berks County, the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Watershed and the Schuylkill Watershed. ARC’s develop farm conservation plans, provide status reviews for nutrient management.

The ARC is immediately supervised by the Ag Team Supervisor and is ultimately accountable to the District Executive Director, Office Manager and the BCCD Board of Directors.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities

Design layout and provide construction inspection of agricultural best management practices (BMPs) as listed in a landowner’s conservation plans.
Work with contractors during construction, carry out the necessary construction checks, and certify (as per job approval level) that the practice was installed according to NRCS specifications.
Provide sign-up assistance to any landowner interested in conservation planning and nutrient management program.
Review nutrient management plans and conduct status reviews as required by Act 38.
Complete the goals and objectives of BCCD as dictated by contract and/or delegation agreements with partnering agencies.
Develop farm conservation plans in accordance with NRCS standards and/or as per Chapter 102 regulations.

Education and Instruction

Encourage landowners to cooperate with the BCCD and other partnering agencies.
Inform landowners of their responsibility to care for Berks County’s natural resources.
Explain to landowners the technical resources and funding opportunities that are available to them through private (Grants) and public sources. (Co, State, Fed).
Using the media and by personal speaking at agricultural meetings and workshops and at civic groups to inform the public of what the conservation district is doing to preserve our natural resources.

Training & Certification

Become certified and maintain certification for PA Nutrient Management Act 38.
Attend training to remain proficient and keep up-to-date with Ag BMP design, layout, and installation. Attend any training declared mandatory by the BCCD, DEP, NRCS, or PDA.
Obtain appropriate NRCS BMP Job Approval.
Obtain Certified Conservation Planner Status.
Attend training in other areas where the employee’s development plan indicates that competence would be important for future job performance.
Employee is encouraged to become certified in those areas that will improve the employee’s image as he/she carries out his/her duties.
Attain sufficient computer training to efficiently use the software supplied by the District and NRCS (i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Conservation Desktop, Arcview).
Complete annual computer security training required by NRCS.

Reports

Complete progress reporting on the appropriate NRCS (Con-6, red line drawings) and/or computer reporting system.

District Activities

Serve on District committees as a volunteer or as appointed.
Prepare articles for newsletter or annual report summaries as requested.
Attend staff, team, and other meetings as required.
Other duties as assigned by the Ag Team Supervisor, District Executive, Office Manager or Berks County Conservation District Board of Directors.

Minimum Education and Experience

BCCD would prefer a Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy, Environmental Resources Management, Environmental Science, Agricultural Engineering, or related subject. Extensive agricultural experience may qualify, in place of or combined with, college experience, at the discretion of the BCCD.
One to three years combined knowledge and experience with agricultural experience
PA ACT 38 Certification is a plus.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Knowledge in related coursework in soils, hydrology, land use, geography, stream morphology, and/or ecology.
Ability to organize and prioritize effectively.
Ability to show initiative in completing tasks with minimal supervision.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish effective working relationships with various organizations, age groups, and educations levels.
Working knowledge of basic computer operation and software.
Valid driver’s license.
Pass and maintain the PA Department of Agriculture certification in accordance with the Nutrient Management Act.
Ability to traverse difficult terrain, including woods, wetlands, pastures, and water.
Ability to work outdoors in a variety of seasons and weather conditions.

Working Environment

Approximately 50% of the work for this position is expected to be carried out in the field.
Remainder of work location will be in-office work, located at 1238 County Welfare Road, Leesport, PA

To apply, email your resume to tammy.bartsch@berkscd.com or mail your resume to Berks County Conservation District, Attention Tammy Bartsch, 1238 County Welfare Road, Suite 200, Leesport, PA 19533

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Agriculture Resource Conservationist

Berks County Conservation District (BCCD) Nutrient Management Specialist Job description

General statement of duties

Work with landowners in Berks County to gain and maintain voluntary compliance with Federal, State and Local Agricultural laws. The Nutrient Management Specialist is immediately supervised by the Agricultural Resource Conservation Supervisor and is ultimately accountable to the District Executive and the District Board of Directors.

Job duties and responsibilities A. Primary Responsibilities:

1. Complete the goals and objectives of BCCD as dictated by contract and/or delegation agreements with partnering agencies including but not limited to providing educational outreach in the form of site visits, newsletters, and workshops in order to promote agricultural compliance with federal, state and local laws.

2. Assist in the development of manure management plans.

3. Administer the State Nutrient Management Program by reviewing nutrient management plans, conducting status reviews and investigating and resolving complaints as required by Act 38.

B. Education and Instruction

1. Encourage landowners to cooperate with the BCCD and other partnering agencies.

2. Inform landowners of their responsibility to care for Berks County’s natural resources.

3. Explain to landowners the technical resources and funding opportunities that are available to them through private (Grants, Nutrient Trading, etc.) and public sources. (County, State, Federal).

4. Using the media and by personal speaking at agricultural meetings and workshops and at civic groups to inform the public of what the BCCD is doing to preserve our natural resources.

C. Training & Certification

1. Become certified and maintain certification for PA Nutrient Management Act 38.

2. Attend any training declared mandatory by the BCCD, DEP, NRCS, or PDA.

3. Attend training in other areas where the employee’s development plan indicates that competence would be important for future job performance.

4. Attain sufficient computer training to efficiently use the software supplied by the District and NRCS (eg, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Toolkit, ArcView, Practice Keeper).

D. Reports

1. Prepare the required monthly and quarterly progress reports for BCCD and other programs and other partnering agencies as required.

2. Complete progress reporting on the appropriate NRCS (Con-6, red line drawings) and/or computer reporting system.

District activities

1. Serve on BCCD committees as a volunteer or as appointed.

2. Prepare articles for newsletter or annual report summaries as requested.

3. Attend staff, team, and other meetings as required.

4. Other duties as assigned by the District Executive or BCCD Board of Directors.

Minimum education and experience

1. Bachelors Degree in Agronomy, Environmental Resources Management, Environmental Science, Agricultural Engineering, or related subject. An Associate

Degree in Agronomy with extensive agricultural experience may qualify at the discretion of the BCCD.

2. One to three years combined knowledge and experience with agricultural is preferred.

3. PA ACT 38 Certification is a plus.

4. Certified Conservation Planner Certification is a plus.

Minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities

1. Knowledge in related coursework in soils, hydrology, land use, geography, stream morphology, and/or ecology.

2. Ability to organize and prioritize effectively.

3. Ability to show initiative in completing tasks with minimal supervision.

4. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

5. Ability to establish effective working relationships with various organizations, age groups, and educations levels.

6. Working knowledge of basic computer operation and software.

7. Valid driver’s license.

8. Pass and maintain the PA Department of Agriculture certification in accordance with the Nutrient Management Act.

9. Ability to traverse difficult terrain, including woods, wetlands, pastures, and water.

10. Ability to work outdoors in a variety of seasons and weather conditions.

Working environment

Approximately 50 % of the work for this position is expected to be carried out in the field.

To apply, email your resume to tammy.bartsch@berkscd.com or mail your resume to Berks County Conservation District, Attention Tammy Bartsch, 1238 County Welfare Road, Suite 200, Leesport, PA 19533