Agricultural Environmental Specialist 1-3

Job #OSWC--8.17.26-TW

Ready to make a meaningful impact on Louisiana’s workforce? Join the Office of Soil and Water Conservation as an Agricultural Environmental Specialist! Support the office’s mission by supporting the conservation of water quality and soil health and stability on croplands, woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, and waterways throughout Louisiana. Incumbent of this position will provide operational support to the Office of Soil & Water (LDAF-OSWC) within the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry for conservation of water quality, and soil health and stability on croplands, woodlands, grasslands, wetlands and waterways of Louisiana by providing financial assistance, administrative support and centralized coordination to the State’s 44 Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCDs) who work with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to provide conservation planning services for landowners and managers.

• Serve a mission-driven organization focused on conserving Louisiana’s soil and water resources.
• Receive competitive compensation and a comprehensive state benefits package.
• Contribute to initiatives that enhance workplace culture and employee experience.
• Work as part of a collaborative and supportive team.

• Demonstrating Accountability:
  The ability to take ownership of actions, behaviors, performance, decisions, and outcomes.
• Developing Plans:
  The ability to create structured strategies and plans that support the achievement of defined goals and objectives.
• Managing Projects:
  The ability to plan, implement, and close out project initiatives by coordinating people, resources, and timelines to achieve defined outcomes.

• Communicating Effectively:
  The ability to convey information, ideas, and emotions using structured communication methods that promote understanding and engagement.
• Managing Budgets:
  The ability to plan, monitor, and adjust budgets to meet goals, ensure compliance, and promote financial transparency.
• Managing Programs:
  The ability to plan, execute, monitor, and evaluate programs to achieve strategic objectives and long-term outcomes.
• Managing Time:
  The ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and allocate time to ensure timely completion of work goals.

LDAF cares about the well-being of its employees! We offer a fully employer-funded Employee Assistance Program (EAP), providing valuable support and resources to help you and your household members thrive at work and  EAP is also free for all members of your household.

Three years of experience in agriculture, chemistry, natural resource management, structural pest control, or inspection or enforcement for compliance with agricultural, environmental, or public health laws, rules or regulations; OR

A bachelor's degree in forestry, an agricultural, biological, chemical, environmental science, or engineering field.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

• Provides programmatic technical support to the statewide Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCD).
• Meets with SWCD boards at their regular monthly board meetings to develop and maintain local conservation programs.
• Works with USDA-NRCS, LDAF-OSWC, LDEQ and SWCD staff and private landowners to administer watershed specific programs such as the PL-566 Watershed Protection & Flood Prevention Program.
• Performs resource inventories on private land for conservation plan development and conservation program guidance, assists AES Manager and others with development of watershed-based work plans.
• Reviews monthly District board meeting minutes and required attachments for supporting items and information to gauge levels of local SWCD interaction and conservation initiative progression.
• Works with private landowners and agricultural processing facility managers to develop Agricultural Solid Waste Management Program best management practice plans.
• Maintains and enhances established LDAF-OSWC/SWCD environmental conservation education and outreach programs and networks by promoting and conducting LA Project…