MAEAP Technician

Hillsdale Conservation District is hiring a technician to carry out the Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program  (MAEAP). MAEAP is a process to assist farms and forest landowners in managing their land using best management  practices and accepted environmental standards. It is a voluntary, confidential, non-regulatory program. The Technician is  responsible for delivering on-farm technical assistance in Hillsdale County. As part of the Conservation District  Team, the MAEAP Technician will also be involved in projects that support sustainable forestry, nutrient management practices, habitat management,  ground and surface water protection, and related activities that educate the public and conserve natural resources of the  District.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES 

• Coordinate all aspects of MAEAP in Hillsdale County and be fully familiar with, and adhere to, the  Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) grant agreement and guidelines for  conducting the program at a local level. 
• Promote conservation activities to farms and forest owners; conduct on-farm risk assessments for farmstead,  cropping, livestock, and Forest Wetlands and Habitat Systems, assisting with improvements necessary to obtain  verification and be recognized as a top environmental steward. 
• Assist landowners in developing emergency management plans for their farmsteads and action plans to address  any environmental risks identified. 
• Conduct at least one on-farm field day for the public that highlights MAEAP, qualifies for MAEAP Educational Credit  and promotes farm-to-farm learning. The educational event should highlight the program, address potential  agricultural risks, and introduce sustainable farming practices to reduce risk to the environment. 
• Promote MAEAP cost-share to assist farms in making upgrades necessary to reach verification.
• Assist producers in responding to Right to Farm complaints if they arise, to bring them into conformance with  Michigan’s Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices (GAAMPS). 
• Maintain accurate records, in an online database as well as on paper, and a well-organized filing system for those  records. 
• Work closely with the United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) and other partners to leverage federal, state, and local resources for farmers. 
• Collaborate with Conservation District staff and external partners to promote MAEAP and educate diverse  audiences on the importance of resource protection in Hillsdale County. 
• Promotes Farm*A*Syst, Crop*A*Syst, Livestock*A*Syst, Forest Wetland & Habitat*A*Syst Clean Sweep, pesticide  container recycling, equipment calibration and other stewardship practices through displays, booths, newsletters, group presentations, demonstrations, public service announcements, news releases, radio programs, social media, and other means.
• Provide timely monthly reports and updates to the Hillsdale Conservation Districts Board of Directors and MDARD. 
• Promote and conduct pesticide container recycling and water testing events, and assist producers with water  sampling, equipment calibration and abandoned well closures 
• Support Conservation District function, programs, and activities, such as walk-in visitors, events, educational  materials, tree seedling sales, native plant sales, and staff support, as needed. 
• Promote the use of the tree planter and no-till drill, which the District has available for rent.
• Perform other essential activities as required by the MDARD grant agreement or as assigned by the Executive  Director of the Conservation District. 

WORKING LOCATION AND CONDITIONS 

The position will be based in Jonesville, Hillsdale County, Michigan. Workdays  are generally Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm and time is split between office work and field work on farms or private lands.  Occasional evenings or weekends will be required for workshops, meetings, or major events.  

The Hillsdale Conservation District office is co-located with a federal sister agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service  (NRCS) and this position will work collaboratively with NRCS to support conservation. The MAEAP Technician will frequently  be on farms, which may involve traversing uneven terrain, wetlands or working around livestock in a wide range of weather conditions. The MAEAP Technician may occasionally be in the vicinity of agriculture crews using hand tools, power  equipment, and harvest machinery which may require hands-on assistance from the technician in the field. 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE 

Formal Education: 

A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in agriculture or natural resources management from an accredited college or university.  In lieu of educational requirements, a candidate may be considered if they can demonstrate ample knowledge and  experience working on farms and an understanding of different systems of agriculture and habitat management. 

Related Work Experience: 

• Minimum of two years of experience in agriculture or natural resource fieldwork is preferred.
• Knowledge of and experience working with agricultural producers and practices is preferred.
• Experience collaborating on, developing, and delivering agriculture education programs to a variety of audiences in  diverse settings. 
• Experience working with dairy and/or livestock preferred. 

Skills and Abilities: 

• Strong organizational skills 
• Excellent work ethic 
• Expert use of PC and Microsoft Office Suite 
• Working knowledge of databases and computer networks preferred 
• Able to work independently without direct supervision and as part of a team 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in the English language 
• Exhibit excellent social and interpersonal skills; relates effectively to diverse clientele and groups
• Able and willing to work efficiently outdoors in varying conditions and terrain 
• Able to lift and handle materials up to 50 pounds without assistance 
• Able to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends 
• Occasional travel for trainings and meetings 
• Maintain a valid driver’s license and safe driving record 
• Selected candidate must pass a federal background check. 
• Must have a reliable personal vehicle to get to work and use for work activities. Milage will be reimbursed at the federal  rate. 

COMPENSATION 

Benefits include: 

• Paid federal holidays 
• Sick and vacation time
• Personal vehicle use will be reimbursed at the IRS mileage rate
• Flexible schedules and some remote work will be available for the right candidate