Conservation Planner

Protect Our Natural Resources. Plan for Tomorrow. Make a Lasting Impact. Join our Environmental Services team as a Conservation Planner and make a difference in Dunn County!

The Conservation Planner focuses on the management and coordination of complex projects to conserve, protect, and enhance the land and water resources of Dunn County. The Conservation Planner is responsible for land and water management planning, administering grant programs, managing County property, enforcing ordinances and permits, and participating in education and outreach activities in the County. Specialized responsibilities may further define the role of a Conservation Planner, such as, but not limited to, engineering, nonmetallic mine reclamation, nutrient management planning, soil health and water resources.

Anticipated starting pay range is between $30.33/hr and $32.70/hr. 

Interviews for selected applicants are expected to occur within two weeks of the July 15, 2026, closing date.

Primary Responsibilities

The following duties are primarily performed and which are essential for this position.  Employees are expected to be able to perform each of these job duties satisfactorily and successfully to be qualified for the position. Additional   duties (Specialized Responsibilities) may be required and assigned.

• Administers land and water conservation activities in accordance with the Wisconsin State Soil and Water Conservation and Animal Waste Management Statute, Chapter 92.
• Administers the Agricultural Performance Standards and Manure Storage and Management Ordinance, Chapter 10, Subchapter I of the County’s Code of Ordinances.
• Develops and implements a wide range of programs to provide coordination, information, education, technical and financial assistance to landowners, citizens, community organizations, businesses, and local governments to implement the Dunn County land and water conservation goals.
• Develops and implements land and water conservation information and education programs.
• Performs physical investigations of resource areas to gather data for problem solving. Investigations may include conducting topographic/engineering surveys, soil/site evaluations, collecting water samples, determining stream discharge rates, evaluating riparian habitat, measuring groundwater levels, etc.
• Responsible for all aspects of project management for assigned projects. Including contract/agreement development and execution, cost estimate/bidding, design, site showing, project construction oversight, project as-built certification, financial payment verification/certification, records management, and completing project reports.
• Serves as a resource and advisor for other agencies regarding conservation issues.
• Provides technical data interpretation and summaries to partners and stakeholders.
• Responsible for researching, planning and developing a wide range of grant applications as assigned.
• Conducts on-site visits with landowners to determine current compliance status with county, state and federal requirements, as applicable to the Division’s responsibilities, and provides technical assistance and guidance to assist landowners in achieving compliance.
• Facilitates, coordinates and conducts public meetings and training sessions as necessary to support division and department programming initiatives, including any community-based programming needs identified by the Division.
• Performs other Division duties of a comparable level/type, as required.

• Develops and maintains surface and groundwater based data collection projects, including the development of models and scientific reports to further the use of that data.
• Develops, designs, and installs general conservation demonstration and research plots to present new concepts and technology to the community for evaluation.
• Plans, designs, and constructs complex conservation engineering practices according to NRCS standards and applicable engineering job approval authority.
• Collects chemical, biological and physical data using appropriate field techniques.
• Administers the Nonmetallic Mining Reclamation Ordinance (Chapter 20).
• Administers the Farmland Preservation Program.
• Implements nutrient management planning and nutrient management plan education within the County.
• Administers the Division’s Equipment Rental program, including tree planters, no-till drill, straw mulcher, and several hand tools to aid in conservation practice implementation.
• Administers the Snowmobile Trail Aids Program, including bridge replacement, in cooperation with state and local agencies and the Dunn County Snowmobile Association.
• Administers the maintenance and management of the Knight’s Creek Flood Control structures.
• Assists local Farmer-Led Watershed Councils by administering grants and the implementation of conservation activities.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Water Resources, Natural Resource Management, Land Management, Soil Science, Agronomy, Biology, Geology, Hydrogeology, Agriculture, or related field.
• Minimum total of three (3) years of experience working in natural resources management, crop consulting, agriculture,  conservation or agricultural engineering.
• A combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.

• Valid driver’s license.
• Certification after employment as a Certified Crop Advisor, or Job Approval Authority (DATCP & NRCS) (JAA or EJAA) in typical conservation practices of the Division.

• Knowledge and skill in implementing watershed projects and nonpoint source best management practices, agricultural management, stormwater runoff and watershed planning.
• Knowledge, understanding, and ability to interpret federal standards, state codes, county ordinances, and permitting that may be required for the implementation of the Dunn County Land and Water Resource Management Plan or other Division responsibilities.
• Knowledge of public land survey systems, GIS and spatial data management concepts and technology.  Including software and equipment such as ArcMap, GPS, etc.
• Fundamental understanding of agricultural systems, including, but not limited to, cropping and tillage systems and their associated environmental and economical impacts.
• Knowledge of agricultural conservation planning and associated data collection, such as the County’s Transect Survey.
• Knowledge and ability to use models for the implementation of land and water conservation activities as assigned.
• Fundamentals of engineering, surveying and planning practices as it pertains to conservation practices and activities.
• Fundamental understanding of governmental funding sources for conservation programs.
• Skill in operating a computer, and software/applications such as Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Zoom, video conferencing software, etc.
• Skill in persuading, consulting, advising, explaining and working with landowners, representatives of other agencies and the public related to conservation programs, requirements and needs.
• Skill in formulating, planning and establishing soil/water conservation plans and nutrient management plans.
• Skill in reading, understanding, interpreting and applying statutes, ordinances, engineering plans, funding program requirements and administrative rules and guidelines as they pertain to soil/water conservation programs and Division activities.
• Skill in using and applying, soil maps and data, aerial photos, engineering drawings and designs in the performance of the job.
• Skill in writing grants, reports and correspondence.
• Skill in group presentation,public speaking, public notice, and public informational meetings, etc.
• Ability to communicate complex issues in simple terms and easy to understand ways in stressful situations.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Ability to independently make decisions and provide guidance while working with contractors, landowners, etc.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional working relationships with department heads, landowners, engineers, contractors, state agencies, school districts, the public, special interest groups and Dunn County personnel.
• Ability to follow Dunn County policies and procedures.
• Ability to manage time effectively, manage multiple projects, and complete work within established deadlines.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position.

• Knowledge of surface water ecology and groundwater systems including water chemistry, hydrology, and pollutant impacts.
• Knowledge of surface water and groundwater sampling, data collection, evaluation, management and presentation.
• Knowledge of soils, agronomy practices/concepts, nutrient management concepts/principles, and farm  management practices.
• Ability to provide training and assistance in the development of nutrient management plans, including the proficient use of nutrient management planning software, SNAP Plus.
• Skill in the review of nutrient management plans submitted by qualified nutrient management plan writers.
• Knowledge of Wisconsin’s Farmland Preservation Program as provided for in Chapter 91 of Wisconsin State Statutes. 
• Skill in operating instruments utilized by the division, such as total station, laser level, GPS equipment, vehicles and other necessary equipment utilized by the department as necessary.
• Skill in utilizing AutoCAD Civil 3D, ArcMap and engineering spreadsheets for conservation engineering practice design.
• Knowledge of nonmetallic mining and reclamation activities and associated Wisconsin Administrative Code NR135 and Dunn County’s Nonmetallic Mining Reclamation Ordinance, Chapter 20.
• Knowledge of and ability to review manure storage facility applications and permitting in accordance with Chapter 10, Subchapter I, Dunn County’s Agricultural Performance Standards and Manure Storage and Management Ordinance.
• Knowledge of the Snowmobile Trail Aids Program and the applicable local, state and federal standards, regulations and ordinances, including, shoreland and floodplain permitting.

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with other staff members, supervisors, and community members in written and verbal form. 
• English skills (oral, written and comprehension) sufficient to effectively communicate with all internal and external customers.

• Ability to understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions.
• Must have the ability to work accurately with attention to detail.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.

• Ability to make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions and decimals.
• Ability to compute rates, ratios and percentages.
• Ability to make technical computations (some related to engineering), such as, volume, area, unit conversion, etc.
• Ability to understand and apply governmental accounting practices in maintenance of financial records.

Physical and Work Environment

employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law.  Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor or Human Resources.  
 
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Physical effort will typically require prolonged and frequent exertion of objects weighing up to 10 pounds, regular, but not continuous, exertion of objects weighing up to 25 pounds, and/or infrequent exertion of objects weighing up to 50 pounds.  Certain responsibilities may require more frequent exertion of objects weighing up to 50 pounds and infrequent exertion of more than 50 pounds.
• Work frequently requires sitting; occasionally requires standing; walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and frequently requires 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 required to be frequently outdoors with some exposure to weather conditions.
• Duties may require participation in adverse verbal discussions or situations with people we serve.
• Tasks involve working around and walking near eroding stream banks, steep slopes, highwalls, fast water, active gullies, uneven terrain, trenches, manure storage pits and tanks, confined spaces, livestock, and heavy operating equipment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Dunn County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

By applying for this position, you acknowledge that you have read our job posting in its entirety and meet the basic requirements outlined above. Dunn County looks forward to reviewing your application.