CONSERVATION DISTRICT PROGRAM LEADER 69120

(Competitive)

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

 

The work involves responsibility for the overall management of the Onondaga County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), including planning and implementation of county-wide environmental resource and conservation programs involving both private and public properties and entities (i.e., planning boards, watershed associations, etc.). General areas of responsibility include administrative and public relations duties for the SWCD with an emphasis on policy direction and implementation. Work is performed under administrative direction of the Board of Directors of the SWCD. An employee in this class assumes the broad administrative responsibilities for the SWCD Board of Directors through a management team. General supervision is exercised over subordinate district employees. Certain assignments made to employees in this class will require reasonable access to transportation to meet field work requirements made in the ordinary course of business in a timely and efficient manner. Does related work as required.

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

 

Performs general administrative duties involving office routines and procedures.

Supervises the SWCD staff management team and indirectly supervises all SWCD staff.

Supervises the preparation and presentation of the SWCD budget and maintains control of cash flow associated with said budget.

Directs the preparation of the SWCD’s annual plan of work and statistical report to the SWCD Board of Directors and New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee.

Recommends development and modification of SWCD policies to the SWCD Board of Directors, and directs the implementation of same.

Supervises the purchase, inventory and maintenance of all SWCD equipment and supplies, and directs the processing of all expense vouchers.

Coordinates all SWCD program activities assisted by cooperating agencies, and negotiates contractual arrangements with cooperating agencies in the implementation of SWCD programs.

Coordinates an annual independent audit of all SWCD financial accounting.

Calculates and recommends schedules of payments and/or margins of cost which the SWCD may wish to assess for services rendered.

Develops and manages a comprehensive public information program to increase SWCD visibility.

Develops funding networks and proposals for possible future funding of SWCD programs.

Explains the purposes and results of the SWCD programs to the general public, funding partners, and public and private agencies on behalf of the SWCD Board.

Supervises the preparation and dissemination of program reports, coordinates those reports with other SWCDs as needed, and assists in assembling information as needed by the SWCD Board for its decision making.

Represents the SWCD at official functions and performs other duties as assigned.

 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

 

Good knowledge of the principles and practices of natural resource conservation.

Good knowledge of commercial agriculture as an industry in the district.

Good knowledge of the district's programs, goals, policies and procedures.

Good knowledge of public and/or business administration.

Good knowledge of the principles and practices of administering an educational program emphasizing program development and implementation of natural resource concerns.

Good knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision.

Working knowledge of grant writing and sources of external funding.

Working knowledge of computers and GIS applications.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other private and public agencies, SWCD staff and the general public.

Ability to plan, organize and supervise the work of subordinate employees.

Ability to effectively explain the purposes and results of the SWCD’s programs to interested parties.

Ability to interpret maps, charts and graphs.

Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.

Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

 

 

 

 

 

-2- 69120

 

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 

A) Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a baccalaureate degree in Soil and Water Resources Engineering, Agricultural Business, Agricultural Land and Water Resource Conservation, Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Forestry, Forest and Range Management, Natural Resource Conservation, Natural Resource Administration, Civil Engineering, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field, and three (3) years of professional level work experience, or its part-time equivalent, in a program involving soil and water conservation management activities, one (1) year of which must have been in a supervisory capacity; or,

 

B) Seven (7) years of paraprofessional or professional level work experience, or its part-time equivalent, in environmental resource and conservation, or a closely related field, three (3) years of which must have been professional level work experience, or its part-time equivalent, in a program involving soil and water conservation management activities, one (1) year of which must have been in a supervisory capacity; or,

 

C) An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A) and (B).

 

NOTE: Successful completion of graduate semester hours in Natural Resource Management, Natural or Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, or a closely related field, may be substituted for work experience as follows: Thirty (30) graduate semester hours is equivalent to one (1) year of work experience; Sixty (60) graduate semester hours is equivalent to two (2) years of work experience.

 

 

7/02 Revised