District Support Specialist

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

The Division of Soil Conservation assists farmers in applying advanced agronomic technologies while improving health and water quality. We are members of the Indiana Conservation Partnership, providing technical, financial, and educational assistance to implement economically and environmentally compatible land and water stewardship decisions, practices, and technologies.

This incumbent will serve soil and water conservation districts in the northeast region of the state. The counties included in this area are:
Elkhart, LaGrange, Steuben, Kosciusko, Noble, DeKalb, Whitley, Allen, Miami, Wabash, Huntington, Wells, Adams, and Blackford. This incumbent may be asked to spend the first 6 months in a soil and water conservation district office to promote relationship‑building. After the first 6 months, this candidate will be eligible for remote work. It is preferred that candidates live within the defined coverage area.

Please note that the city listed in the job posting does not represent or determine the required office location for the candidate.

We are looking for candidates who value service, collaboration, adaptability, and integrity.

This role requires significant interaction with external partners and other District Support Specialist team members. Problem‑solving is a large component of carrying out this role.

This position will require early morning and evening travel to attend meetings across the region and other locations, such as central Indiana. This may result in deviation from the 7.5-hours-per-day work schedule.

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $53,222.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience. Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.

• Encourage and facilitate multi‑SWCD program efforts.
• Work with districts and conservation partners in the development of effective regional educational programs regarding the impact of soil erosion on soil productivity, off‑site sedimentation damage and water quality, with emphasis on effective conservation implantation to reduce adverse effects.
• Develop, conduct, and/or arrange for professional training for SWCD supervisors and employees to strengthen district(s) capacity for fulfilling their legislative mandates and improving soil, water and related natural resource conditions in their respective communities.
• Provide administrative guidance to SWCDs concerning records, annual meetings, program planning, supervisor elections and appointments, personnel and financial management, and compliance with applicable federal or state laws or administrative code requirements.
• Provide leadership to SWCDs and other conservation partners for the assessment of local soil and water conservation issues and needs and in formulating long range business plans and annual program plans to address local and regional soil and water conservation issues and needs.
• Help identify opportunities for expanding district capacity and provide leadership in developing and carrying pilot projects with districts to demonstrate those opportunities.
• Work with districts and their respective county officials to increase local funding for staffing and other resources needed to carry out effective local conservation programs and assist districts in establishing new partners to advance their local conservation programs.
• Assist districts in developing mutual agreements, contracts for services, grants and other nontraditional sources of funding to support their expanding responsibilities to serve as the local clearinghouse for conservation assistance as well as increase technical assistance to land users.
• Develop tools for districts to use to document the…