Natural Resources Engineer

Organization

Ohio Department of Agriculture

United States of America—Ohio—Ross County—Chillicothe

Between $84,032 and $119,954 annually

Full‑time; 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Civil Engineering

The Ohio Department of Agriculture protects Ohioans by safeguarding plants and animals, conserving natural resources, and supporting farmers. The department is a cabinet‑level agency reporting to the Governor. It protects farmland, improves soil and water quality, and ensures food safety through laboratory and regulatory programs.

As a Conservation Engineer, you will work with the highest caliber of professionals to protect soil and water resources. Your responsibilities include field inspections, reviewing construction plans, evaluating project impacts, and collaborating with private landowners and producers. You will partner with the NRCS and FSA, deliver Ohio’s Technician Development Program training, assist with design and oversight of conservation practices, and coordinate pollution abatement projects with Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

You will investigate and help resolve rule‑based agricultural pollution complaints.

• Support conservation engineering projects to protect soil and water resources.
• Conduct field inspections, review construction plans, assess project impacts, and collaborate directly with private landowners and producers.
• Partner with NRCS and FSA to deliver conservation practices that improve environmental outcomes.
• Prepare technical reports, documentation, correspondence, and respond to landowner inquiries with confidence and clarity.
• Deliver hands‑on training through Ohio’s Technician Development Program—helping grow the next generation of conservation professionals.
• Assist staff and partner organizations with conservation practice design, construction oversight, pollution abatement procedures, and water pollution problem analysis.
• Coordinate pollution abatement projects with local Soil & Water Conservation Districts; investigate and help resolve rule‑based agricultural pollution complaints.

• Certificate of registration as a professional engineer issued by a state licensing board.
• Minimum twelve months of experience as a natural resources engineer (designation 85742) or equivalent related engineering experience.

• Medical coverage.
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after the eligibility period.
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year.
• Childbirth, adoption, and foster care leave.
• Education and development opportunities (employee development funds, public service loan forgiveness, and more).
• Public retirement systems such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS; optional deferred compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation).

May be exposed to inclement weather, unsafe conditions during project inspections, and frequent contact with animals, manure, dust, and odors. Work may require walking long distances, climbing steep slopes, and navigating rough terrain.

Ross County; 475 Western Ave, Ste H, Chillicothe, Ohio 45601

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug‑free workplace that prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non‑medical cannabis). This position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug‑Free Workplace Policy (HR‑39).

Paul Hengstenberg
Paul.

Hengstenbergo.gov